The FEI on You Tube

The FEI on You Tube

Conference on Rollkur Results

Conference Results

FEI Round-Table Conference Resolves Rollkur Controversy 09/02/2010


Following constructive debate at the FEI round-table conference at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne today (9 February), the consensus of the group was that any head and neck position of the horse achieved through aggressive force is not acceptable. The group redefined hyperflexion/Rollkur as flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable. The technique known as Low, Deep and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable.

The group unanimously agreed that any form of aggressive riding must be sanctioned. The FEI will establish a working group, headed by Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kemperman, to expand the current guidelines for stewards to facilitate the implementation of this policy. The group agreed that no changes are required to the current FEI Rules.

The FEI Management is currently studying a range of additional measures, including the use of closed circuit television for warm-up arenas at selected shows.

The group also emphasised that the main responsibility for the welfare of the horse rests with the rider.

The FEI President HRH Princess Haya accepted a petition of 41,000 signatories against Rollkur presented by Dr Gerd Heuschman.

The participants in the FEI round-table conference were:

HRH Princess Haya, FEI President
Alex McLin, FEI Secretary General
Margit Otto-Crépin, International Dressage Riders Club Representative
Linda Keenan, International Dressage Trainers Club Representative
Sjef Janssen, Dressage Representative
Frank Kemperman, Chairman, FEI Dressage Committee (by conference call)
François Mathy, International Jumping Riders Club Representative
David Broome, Jumping Representative
Jonathan Chapman, Eventing Representative
Roly Owers, World Horse Welfare Representative
Tony Tyler, World Horse Welfare Representative
Ulf Helgstrand, President, Danish Equestrian Federation
John McEwen, Chairman, FEI Veterinary Committee
Dr Sue Dyson, Veterinary Representative
Dr Gerd Heuschman, Veterinary Representative
Prof. René van Weeren, Veterinary Representative
Jacques van Daele, FEI Honorary Steward General Dressage
Graeme Cooke, FEI Veterinary Director
Trond Asmyr, FEI Director Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage
John Roche, FEI Director Jumping and Stewarding
Catrin Norinder, FEI Director Eventing
Carsten Couchouron, FEI Executive Director Commercial
Richard Johnson, FEI Communications Director

Take what you will from these results of the conference on Rollkur.  I for one am skeptical that anything at all has changed and it certainly hasn't been resolved. There may be some fancy footwork involved here. 

'The technique known as Low, Deep and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable'.

I'd like to ask who is going to deem what exactly is acceptable concerning LDR. The judges? The trainers? The riders? 

I do give them credit for having made some progress and addressing this issue. I think having 41,000 signatures on a petition against Rollkur certainly helped.  In the future I don't think those of us opposed to this or any other abusive practice should stop voicing our opinions and making our voices heard. Now that they have made the statement that the Rollkur issue has been 'resolved', if they don't implement some backlash against those who use it, perhaps keeping the heat on the FEI is in order.

Until next time

NO ROLLKUR

NO ROLLKUR

Tuesday- February 9th the FEI will be having a closed door meeting concerning Rollkur or hyperflexion as it is sometimes called. Dr. Gerd Heuschmann will be the only advocate for the horse as far as we've heard.  He will certainly describe the many negative effects this torturous practice has on these special animals. Whether or not his voice will be listened to and taken to heart is another story. So many of these so called horsemen and women will more than likely turn a deaf ear to his expertise and one can only wonder why?  Are they so uneducated as to condone this practice or are they simply uncaring about the distress this places on the horse. If they are uncaring the question again is, why? Is it fear of losing sponsor monies or perhaps simply not 'rocking the boat' with the celebrity riders (if one can even call them riders).  I'm baffled that anyone, be it a celebrity rider, trainer or equestrians like the 'simple every rider' would even consider taking an abusive shortcut like rollkur, and not be proud of the joy and mutual partnership forged between horse and rider in training a horse properly and humanely through the levels. That's what horsemanship is supposed to be all about. I'm sure everyone will be sending good thoughts to Dr. Heuschmann and wish him success in making this abhorrent practice illegal.

Billie over at  camera-obscura has put up some videos that show Rollkur in action. Please give her blog a visit if you haven't already . She also suggested in a previous post that perhaps if we all put up the above logo of 'NO ROLLKUR' it might be seen and heeded to let the powers that be know we are not at all happy with their past decisions regarding this black spot on the sport of dressage and we do not support their decisions to date.

' The sadness and pain in the horses eye is all the discussion needed'

 ' Right '

 'Wrong'

 Until next time

 Quote for Today

What the horse does under compulsion...is done without understanding...and there is no beauty in it.

    - Xenophon

Help Ban Rollkur

Help Ban Rollkur Now

We may finally have the chance to make our voices heard and ban Rollkur/hyperflexion for good. The furor over this particular video has been the spark igniting the controversy about Rollkur. Billie at camera-obscura, has done a wonderful and thorough job of researching all the links and petitions for us to sign. She has also written many thoughtful posts on the subject. Please visit her blog for more information about this disgusting and abusive practice that needs to be condemned and stopped now. We need to get back to the classical and humane way of interacting with our riding partners.

Until next time

Quote for Today

What the horse does under compulsion...is done without understanding...and there is no beauty in it.
    - Xenophon

A Change of Venue

A Change of Venue

I came upon this petition put out by Philippe Karl and anyone interested in stopping the abusive practices that are happening around the world in dressage and other disciplines may want to look it up and sign it. In my opinion, this is a start and one way to let the judges and sponsors know that the grading they are currently giving the "stars" is not okay with everyone. Most of these "stars" use abusive training methods to make up a horse quickly and get them out there exhibiting the flash and dash that some uneducated audiences want to see. Most of these poor horses are thrown out by the time they are eight or nine years old. That’s right. Can you believe that? It’s disgusting what some people will do for their egos and money.


It might also be a good idea to write to the sponsors of these "stars" and let them know that we will no longer buy their products if they are endorsed by riders and trainers who employ rollkur - or as the judges so conveniently call it now "hyper-flexion." No matter what name it goes by, it is still abuse. We have to start somewhere to let them know that what dressage has become is no longer acceptable and must be brought back to the original classical style. The horses need someone to speak for them and make this nonsense stop.

JME has also posted this particular link on her blog with a well written post, titled Dressage Detox, check it out and the comments as well.


Click on this link to sign the petition:

http://philippe-karl.com/703

Until next time

Quote for Today

" In order to serve its purpose, a vision has to be a shared vision."

Warren Bennis