(Danish FN press release) -- As announced on 27th August, the Danish Equestrian Federation has assessed the approximately 60 photos of Andreas Helgstrand and Tørveslettens Stamina from the Falsterbo Horse Show.
Subsequently, we have received a statement from the head FEI steward of the event, as well as an account from Andreas. According to the statement, there have been no situations that have given rise to give a yellow card or to protest against in the riding, and we also trust that the responsible steward would have intervened if there were any questionable situations. We have searched for video of the given situations with Andreas and Tørveslettens Stamina, but we have not received such a material.
We continue to believe that the number of photos, as well as there being multiple training sessions, can give the impression of conflict behaviour from the horse’s side and disharmony between horse and rider, which is not in accordance with good horse welfare. The steward’s statement, the account from Andreas and the fact that there are still photos, prevents, however, an assessment of whether there has been any regulation violation or anything else in violation of the Code of Conduct.
It is important for the Danish Equestrian Federation to ensure that riding happens in accordance to horse welfare and Code of Conduct and these media cases are harmful for both the equestrian sport and anyone who is involved.
Neither Andreas Helgstrand nor the sport is served by media cases which raises questions about horse welfare in the dressage sport.
Therefore, the Danish Equestrian Federation has agreed with Andreas Helgstrand that he ensures that there is recorded video of his training and warm up when he participates at events, and that the material in unedited form is available to the federation.
With this solution, we will remove any doubt about whether there is compliance with horse welfare, which is in everyone’s interest.
In connection with this we would like to urge everyone to contact the responsible steward or TD, if you should experience situations at showgrounds where you are in doubt whether there has been a contravention of horse welfare. We all have a responsibility to ensure horse welfare, and we believe that it is always better to intervene in the situation, rather than taking photos for publication in the media long after the event has finished.
In Denmark, we have developed a close collaboration between riders and officials. At the Danish Dressage Championships two years ago, it was decided in collaboration with the riders to videotape all warm ups, just as we increased the number of officials present, and we have continued with this in subsequent years. We do this to protect the riders, the horses and the sport, so we ensure that any questionable situations can subsequently be reviewed and discussed with the riders and officials. It is our clear impression that the riders are very happy with this, which is to make the solution interesting for all parties.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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