Endurance is changing: calls made for more action

AFTER unprecedented and some acrimonious debate, new FEI endurance rules were published in December, aimed at re-emphasising horsemanship and restoring the sport’s reputation, which has been blackened by doping and fatality scandals.

But while the rules won landslide approval at the FEI general assembly (GA) in November, dispute rages on. Even senior figures such as FEI endurance temporary committee (ETC) chair Sarah Coombs have posted online to calm the storm.

Many riders feel the rules punish them for poor behaviour of others, notably in the Middle East. The longer period to upgrade horses, the ETC’s bid to re-emphasise partnership and consistency, will make the