FEI to Change Blood Rules in Dressage

Rules surrounding blood showing on dressage competition horses are to change, following approval by the FEI General Assembly in  Istanbul, Turkey, this week.

The main modification to the rules includes a specific provision regarding elimination in the case of blood showing anywhere on the horse during competition.

The new Art. 430.7.6, developed in cooperation with the Veterinary Committee, states that if the judge a “C” suspects fresh blood anywhere on the horse, he or she can stop the test to check.

“If the horse shows fresh blood, it will be eliminated. The elimination is final. If the judge through examination clarifies that the horse has no fresh blood, the horse may resume and finish its test.”

The new article continues: “If the horse is eliminated pursuant to the above, or if the horse is injured during the test and starts bleeding after finishing the test, it should be examined by an FEI Veterinarian prior to the next Competition to determine if it is fit to continue in the Event the following day(s). The decision of the FEI Veterinarian is not subject to appeal.”

There was controversy at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, when Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival’s test was stopped after blood showed in the horse’s saliva.

Source: Horsetalk