FEI forbids use of spurs, restricts whips

In a clarification of the rules regarding the use of spurs and whips in Endurance Rides, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of all equestrian activities, has prohibited the use of spurs.

In the latest FEI bulletin, which carries a report of the Endurance Committee Meeting held in Amsterdam on May 28, 29, the FEI has issued a few clarifications which it said were not changes or additions.

While the use of spurs have been totally forbidden, there are some restrictions on the use of
the whip, according to the clarifications issued under Article 818.3.

"The Endurance Committee wish to inform Ground Juries that whilst spurs are forbidden at all times, whips may be permitted in exceptional circumstances in the interests of safety, especially with regard to Stallions. However, they may never be used on the final phase of an Endurance Ride."

In the past there has been some confusion over the use of whips and spurs during endurance rides, which are long-distance horse riding events over distances ranging from 40 to 160 kilometres.

In these rides, the welfare of the horse is considered paramount and most of the rules governing Endurance rides are aimed at protecting the horse. The use of spurs have been totally forbidden for when a rider uses them to push an exhausted horse, it could result in a serious threat to the well-being of the animal.

The use of whips only in exceptional cases has also been emphasised for the use of the whip during the final stages of the ride have been noticed in the recent past. Under these clarified rules, a rider cannot use the whip during the final stage or leg of the ride.

Weight division rides
Meanwhile, the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation received a boost when in the same meeting, the FEI's Endurance Committee has informed the Organising Committees of the possibility to organise Weight Division rides.

The UAE had introduced Weight Division rides in the just-concluded 2000-01 season at home. The FEI has said that such Body Weight rides can only be held in above 70-kilo categories.
The clarification on Article 820 which deals on Weights says 'The Endurance Committee wish to inform Organising Committees that it is possible to organise Weight Division Rides above 70kg within FEI rides, however, it is not possible to organise weight divisions below the minimum weight of 70 kilos.

It is also permissible to organise Young Rider and Junior divisions with no weights within FEI rides, however, these riders may not be classified with riders who have had to carry weights.

With the success of the four Body Weight rides organised by the Federation in UAE last season, a few more are expected to be added in the upcoming season. While in the normal or open rides, every rider should be a minimum of 70 kilos along with his riding gear, in the Body Weight rides the rider should be 70 kilos or above in body weight alone minus the riding gear.

Last year, the First Body Weight Ride, organised by the UAE Federation, was won by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence.

Later, another evening Body Weight ride was won by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while the last ride of the season, a Body Weight Night ride was won by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.