In spite of all cmmitments made by the Equestrian Federation of the Emirates, several serious problems have arisen in the last few months during diverse endurance races as much at national as at international level. The office of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has therefore decided in its meeting of the 6th and 7th April 2016 to withdraw from Dubai the organisation of the next World Endurance Championships. The Swiss Federation of Equestrian Sports (FSSE), who had demanded such a measure on 10th February, is relieved by this courageous decision and supports the efforts made internationally for the well-being of horses and the respect of the rules.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) had strengthened the rules of endurance competitions following repeated criticism of several concerned so as to assure better protection of horses as well as improving equity between competitors. Despite several agreements passed between the FEI and the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF), following the suspension of this federation last year, several events did not take place according to agreed engagements and diverse serious cases of mistreatment have been recorded. So it is with relief that the FSSE learned of the decision of the International Federation which goes in the direction of sportive ethics and of a better protection of the integrity of horses which conforms to the wishes it had expressed last February.

This decision allows the calm preparation of these championships and the Swiss delegation will do all it can to defend the bronze medal won during the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. The FSSE will not fail in its battle in favour of an ethic in equestrian sports and of an adequate protection of horses.