Warning Cards for Two Para Dressage Riders at CPEDI's in Doha and Waregem

FEI

In the first four months of 2025 the FEI has issued two "warning cards", also known as yellow cards, to two para dressage riders at CPEDI competitions.

They were for non-compliance with the applicable sport rules and for incorrect behaviour.

CPEDI Doha

At the CPEDI Doha on 19 February 2025 Dutch paralympic team rider Rixt van der Horst received a warning card for "Non-Compliance with applicable Sport Rules (GRs Art. 164.3)"

Rixt' groom rode her horse Fonq in draw reins on the show grounds. Draw reins fall under Para Dressage Rules Article 8431 4.5:

Gadgets. Martingales, bit guards, and kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running or balancing reins, nasal strips etc.) and any form of blinkers that interfere with the Horse’s vision are, under penalty of elimination, strictly forbidden during training, warm-up and Competitions.

The rider was not eliminated, but got a yellow card. The FEI explained to Eurodressage:

Based on the information the FEI has received, the incident occurred on the day of arrival, prior to the Horse Inspection of the CPEDI Doha, and in an area not supervised by Officials at the time.

The image in question was subsequently posted on social media, which led to a review of the matter by the President of the Ground Jury.

Following a detailed discussion with the athlete and her trainer, and after reviewing the circumstances — including the timing and location of the incident, the behaviour of the horse upon arrival, and the cooperation of the athlete — the President of the Ground Jury chose to issue a Yellow Warning Card.

The FEI appreciates the prompt follow up of the matter by the FEI Officials while acknowledging that elimination is the applicable sanction for such an offence as per the FEI Para Dressage Rules.

CPEDI Waregem

At the CPEDI Waregem on 26 April 2025 German paralympic team rider Heidemarie Dresing received a warning card for "Incorrect Behaviour"

The German Equestrian Federation issued an official statement about the incident to Eurodressage.

National coach Silke Fütterer-Sommer explains what happened:

"Heidemarie Dresing was the first rider to start the competition and, due to time pressure, wanted to get to her horse before the stables were officially opened. However, a member of the security staff prevented her from entering the stables. During the discussion that ensued, there were some misunderstandings and the situation escalated somewhat. One reason for this was certainly the language barrier between the two people involved. The security guard then complained to the ground jury, which led to Heidemarie Dresing receiving a yellow card.

Heidemarie is of course aware that special care must be taken outside of stable hours and she is sorry that the situation escalated in this way."

All FEI yellow cards are announced here: for dressage and para dressage