Finally. The endurance world has had enough. :yes:
Good. I think that that level of endurance has the potential to be way worse than Tb. racing for the horses, what with the high risk of metabolic and mechanical injuries with that kind of speed over that kind of distance, and a mentality of “throw away horses.” The other thing that is bad about it is that anybody with major money in it can do well, its not like in eventers or jumpers where money most definitely helps!! but the people actually have to put in their time to become good riders.
Skydy, do you think they’ve had enough? Or that anything will actually happen vis a vis the FEI? I read that article and wanted to barf when the FEI was quoted as saying they had “responded” to the Swiss federation’s complaint, but that they (FEI) had “no plans to make their response public.” I.e. no transparency.
Brought this article to Denny Emerson’s attention, hoping he will use his prominence and cross-discipline reach (I realize he’s not a BN endurance person) to shine a spotlight.
Martha Drum,I wrote my thoughts about this on the thread above, I don’t know if you’ve seen it. It’s been a long time coming and I think something will have to be done at this point in time.
The sheikh seems to have the belief that his “Royal Highness-ness” and the fact of his wife being the president of the FEI (and the fact that they have lavished money on the FEI) will allow him to do as he pleases.
I think he’s pushed it to the limit now.
The key is for all countries to stand together in making sure these guys obey the rules. If they refuse, then they can go compete against each other in their own country.
The fall out could well be that European endurance ends up much like American endurance – less FEI and more ammie/family. But I think if every single country insists on putting constant pressure – if only to show over and over and OVER again these guys are only winning because they cheat.
That isn’t the way they want to be seen…I’m pretty sure of it.
Apparently the problem continues… :eek: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80589/meds-seized-at-sheikhs-farm-overseas
It will continue right up until the point that mandatory drug testing is required for every horse in every endurance event everywhere - full stop. While the Middle East countries are getting the press over it - it isn’t occurring just there. NA has its fair share - I know of certain riders (as in I know them know them - not know of) who are highly competitive and will not attend a NA event where drug testing is announced to be happening. NA riders do abuse the system as well - but testing every horse is prohibitively expensive. Even doing a random sampling is very pricey. Its not just the governing bodies who need to take a stand, its us as riders ourselves. Somehow.
I do not think it would be prohibitively expensive for every horse to be tested. That is what the ride fee has been indicated to do. Or is it for profit by ride manager?
rh
I am the Sanctioning director for Endurance Riders of Alberta and one of my duties is to arrange for random drug testing at 2 of our rides per year. We usually hold 5-8 rides. The fee for this is $60/horse so yes, it would be cost prohibitive to test every horse at every ride. If we estimated 400 starts in Alberta, that would be $24,000 for this year alone. We collect $2 for every rider that starts and this fee goes into a “drug testing” fund for the purpose of random testing. Entry fees would skyrocket if we were going to test every horse.
ETA: I do agree that what is happening at the FEI level is unacceptable and much more testing should be carried out at that level to put a stop to the illegal drugging of endurance horses.
