Controversy is rising ahead of the 2018 FEI General Assembly as equestrian competitors threaten to instigate a $20 million-dollar lawsuit if anyone is injured or killed as a result of the non-approval of the award winning STS Space Technology Safety stirrup irons.
A matter, well publicised, that has sparked outrage amongst the global equestrian community with members demanding a safer competition environment in which only the safest riding equipment is approved for use.
Members of the equestrian community have offered their opinion on the matter, stating they find it reprehensible the safety of themselves and other riders is being disregarded due to possible conflicts of interests.
The STS irons have been approved for use in FEI Show Jumping competitions, but not for Dressage and Cross-Country competitions which you will agree is farcical as you read on.
Ahead of the 2018 FEI General Assembly, they are calling for the release of all documentation held by the FEI regarding the STS safety stirrup irons, including any testing reports and the minutes of the 23-24 March 2018 eventing committee meeting.
“The FEI releases the meeting minutes of the General Assembly as a matter of transparency, so there is no reason not to provide the minutes of the eventing committee meeting to confirm if they did or didn’t approve the STS safety stirrup irons for Cross Country/eventing.
“We feel the FEI have allowed personal conflicts of interest to overrule the safety of riders. In addition to the meeting minutes, the FEI should also release the equipment testing reports completed prior to 13 June 2018 to confirm if the STS safety stirrup irons were approved.
“Further, under the new equipment rules and process, the FEI must provide us with copies of the signed testing reports, however we have never received them.”
In referencing the FEI Constitution, which clearly states rider safety is paramount and cannot be compromised, concerns of misconduct by members of the FEI across numerous departments have been raised within several media articles recently distributed.
“The FEI has failed to be cooperative throughout this case. They have ignored our requests for the names of the testing riders whose reports dictate the approval or non-approval of equipment at FEI level.
“Without this information, and the corresponding documentation, it’s impossible to determine if the STS safety stirrup irons were indeed approved for use, proving the FEI’s claims to be false, and smeared by corruption and cover up.”
The STS safety stirrup irons have been tested and approved by the Australian National Federation for use in Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing. Members of the Australian National Federation agree unanimously the STS safety stirrup irons should be approved for use in all FEI competitions.
The STS irons are the only stirrup irons in the world to win the Australian international design award for safety.
Professional judges commented:
The award document and supporting testimonials.
The flawed documents and supporting video.
Riders have commented:
- The FEI states rider safety is paramount. However, they refuse to be transparent over this scandal.
- The FEI system is so flawed they introduce new rules and processes, and then they breach them.
- Looks like someone is getting a kickback.
- After reading the STS document and watching the video it is very clear the FEI claims are completely flawed and should have been withdrawn, and the irons should have been approved.
- We are angry and entitled to the truth as our lives are being put at risk, and we are being denied our right to safety and if our family members are injured or killed, we will sue the FEI for $20 million dollars.
