The Dutch judging corps and Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) are feuding over a code of conduct which the federation has requested its 3000 judges to sign.
The KNHS sent out the code of conduct form last weekend and told judges, who are not signing it, will no longer be commissioned to judge at Dutch events (in all disciplines) as of 1 April 2016.
The Dutch Foundation for Equestrian Judges (SHJ) is now reacting to the code of conduct, stating that it is in infringement of the freedom of speech. 1600 of the 3000 Dutch judges are members of the SJH.
Hanneke Hegeman, spokesperson for the SHJ, told Dutch equestrian magazine De Hoefslag that "what the KNHS is asking us, conflicts with the freedom of speech. We are no longer allowed to express ourselves negatively about the KNHS, colleague judges and organizing societies. Even if privately we had bad experiences with a sponsor, we are not allowed to disclose that."
Anton Binnenmars, sport director of the KNHS, reacted to the statement of SHJ: "The KNHS stands for fair play in horse sport and strives for good conduct from all involved. The Dutch Olympic Committee proposed all sport disciplines to live by a code of conduct. It concerns everyone who represents the federation as ambassador of our sport. Everyone who is for fair play will not have a problem signing the code. If not, we suspend them in their capacity."
Read more on De Hoefslag (in Dutch).
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