Eldric Reaction:
On Dec. 29, 1996 the Eldric Veterinary Society faxed a letter to the Endurance
Committee of the FEI: "Concerning changing of Rules for Endurance Riding: Final
Inspection" After introductions addressing the fact that the Eldric Veterinary
Society (EVS) was under the assumption that the FEI wished good relations with
the EVS and that the EVS according to its statutes makes the veterinary member
of the FEI, Endurance an automatic member of the EVS, they then write:" It is
with great surprise and displeasure, therefore, that the committee of the EVS
learned of the alteration of the rules concerning the final inspection in
Endurance Riding by the Endurance Committee of the FEI without any contact with
the EVS concerning these changes.
EVS consider it impossible to hold any endurance ride without a Final
Inspection.
EVS considers a final inspection to be necessary to protect the horses against
misuse during endurance riding competitions. Statistics from Eldric rides
(Dollinger and Burger) show that the final inspection is very important.
EVS consider that an inspection as described in the new art.831 (described in
previous post) is impossible to implement satisfactorily while the competition
is still running. Also, an inspection of the horses in their boxes two hours
after crossing the finnish line, without a "trot up" will not protect the horse
against misuse....................
................
One of the primary aims of the EVS is to promote the welfare of the horse and
protect it from misuse during long distance riding competitions. The EVS
envisages, therefore, that the situation may arise in which it is forced to
recommend that all members and responsible endurance veterinarians should not
work at any FEI endurance ride which is run without a final inspection.
EVS strongly urges the FEI to reconsider the changes in rules for the Final
Inspection in endurance rides."
Jens Kristoffersen
President, Eldric Veterinary Society
cc:included was AERC Executive Committee and the AERC Vet Committee
USET Response:
Since FEI sanctions the Marathon the USET posed the following question to the
AERC International Committee: "What is your opinion about sending "Official"
teams to compete in the International Marathon's?"
I have requested input from the International Committee via a mailing dated
January 24, 1997 to help USET make a decision for itself regarding Marathons (a
sport not sanctioned by the AERC) and to address the issue of FEI rules not
meeting minimum AERC Veterinary Standards for the first time. [As an aside, Mike
Foss DVM of the NAC OC has assured me that the Final Inspection will comply with
AERC Rules for the Final Inspection and that it will be 100 miles/one day (24
hours).]
I have asked the committee to seek out veterinarians and riders with first hand
experience with the Marathon sport and help find answers to the following
questions: 1) What was the experience like for the horses? 2) What was your
impression of the sport? 3)What countries have staged Marathons other than the
mideast countries? 4)Is sanctioning granted through their National Endurance
sanctioning body or some other organization?
I also asked the committee to consider this question: Should we send a team to
an FEI competition where the OC chooses to apply rules that do not meet minimum
AERC standards to protect the welfare of horses?
If anyone would like to email me with their experiences or opinions on these
issues please do so.
Lori Stewart
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E-mail from: R. K. and L.D. Stewart, 26-Jan-1997