At the 2012 FEI General Assembly the vote was passed on a new blood rule, which finally ended two years of tumultous debate and controversy on whether or not to allow blood in the dressage sport.
The newly voted rule states that a combination will be eliminated when the judge at C spots fresh blood in the competition ring.
In an interview with the Dutch magazine De Hoefslag Theo Ploegmakers, president of the Dutch Equestrian Federation, confirmed that The Netherlands was one of very few countries voting against the new blood rule.
"I was pretty much the only one voting against it. We don't think a judge but a veterinarian should look at the horse at that moment. S/he can then decide whether the horse is fit to compete and continue the test. Now, in fact, nothing has changed with the situation Adelinde Cornelissen dealt with in Kentucky."
Related Links
New Blood Rule Approved at 2012 FEI General Asssembly
FEI Sports Forum Directs FEI Dressage Committee to Decide on Blood Rule
Blood Rule Withdrawn, Nomination Dressage Committee Rider Rep Postponed
Germany Has a Change of Heart and Says No to Blood Rule
Eurodressage Editorial: Dressage to Become a Blood Sport?!