Due to recent scandals surrounding equipment testing, members of the global equestrian community are calling for sweeping changes to the flawed appeal process of the FEI, which is becoming increasingly criticised.
“As mentioned on the FEI web site “there has been ongoing communication for 18 months with the WTP NP Bit equipment testing case” – another incidence whereby personal interests have overruled the importance of honesty, integrity and transparency.
Therefore, this confirms a no time limitation period can start until we have received the information and reports to allow an appeal to be made.
However, the requests for the information were ignored, making it impossible to lodge an appeal, and making their claims and the FEI appeal process farcical.
“Such information is vital in exhausting all avenues of appeal as part of a fair and ethical process.
“To prevent conflicts of interest, FEI members must be compelled to provide all testing reports in accordance with the new FEI equipment rule and process, or immediately after completion, thereby supporting its implementation.
“In the STS stirrup irons case, we requested the testing reports seven times, but both the FEI President Mr. Ingmar de Vos and members of the Dressage and Eventing departments refused to supply them, which is considered unethical conduct under the FEI Constitution.
“They then made false claims the appeal time had expired, which was deceptive and misleading, and refused to correspond with us any further. We allege this was an attempt to cover up a scandal as any release of evidence would unveil the truth.”
Many disgruntled equestrian competitors who are barred from using the STS stirrup irons at FEI Dressage, and Cross-Country competitions feel their lives are being put at risk for the sake of personal interests within the FEI Dressage and Eventing departments.
“The FEI Constitution states rider safety is paramount and cannot be compromised. The FEI Australian National Federations have tested and approved the STS stirrup irons for Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing. All agreed they should be approved for all FEI competitions.
“While the irons have been approved for FEI Jumping competitions, claims made by the FEI Dressage and Eventing departments have been proven to be flawed. The FEI could not fault our evidence or deny their objection was flawed. Yet, they have done nothing to rectify this.”
The STS stirrup irons have garnered immense support and remain the only stirrup irons in the world to win the Australian international design award for safety. However, all requests for information and right of appeal have fallen on deaf ears.
The rider in this video was using traditional FEI approved stirrup irons when she was hooked up and dragged
