Stop Rollkur Training – Please sign petition
Most of you have already heard from me regarding the effort to stop rollkur training at dressage competitions. So far the FEI has declined to take action against this training method.
On February 9 the FEI will have a private round table conference to decide its stance on its tolerance of Rollkur at FEI competitions. While it sounds democratic, apparently only one of the invitees to this private meeting, Gerd Heuschmann, a German veterinarian, has publicly taken a stance agains Rollkur.
Gerd needs your help! He is asking you to sign his petition so that he will not stand alone on this issue. If you have already signed a petition, he probably has your name. If you want to be sure you are heard, you can sign again. The petitions will be scrubbed so that there are no duplicates. If you have not signed, please consider doing so. I have heard that so far they have gathered nearly 20,000 names from all over the world. www.no-rollkur.com
If you have seen the infamous blue tongue video, you may be surprised to learn that the FEI has already announced that it did not find anything objectionable/sanctionable. The horse was ridden in hyperflexed position for at least ten minutes without break even after its tongue fell out of its mouth, looking limp (and possibly blue?). Witnesses claim the horse was ridden this way much longer. This was in the warmup arena of an international competition where the rider ultimately finished in third place. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo8W2fUjdM4&feature=related
Please note we are not asking the FEI to change its rules, but to simply uphold them.
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI expects all those involved in international equestrian sport to adhere to the FEI’s Code of Conduct and to acknowledge and accept that at all times the welfare of the horse must be paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.
Dressage, in its ideal form, is celebrating the natural beauty of the horse’s movements. Dressage means training, as in teaching and gymnasticizing, not forcing. If the FEI tolerates rollkur riding at its publicly attended World class competitions, it reflects poorly on the sport and art which we all love. If you are feeling ambivalent, please think about whether you want this to be the new image of dressage, and even your image, as a person who chooses to participate in dressage.
Hyperflexion is an unnecessary* departure from the ideals of dressage – artistry, harmony, cooperation, self-disclipline and integrity. If we dressage enthusiasts and the FEI abandon these ideals at the highest, most visible level, who will uphold the standards of horsemanship?
If you have read thus far – Thank you. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Louisa Zai
