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Permalink Reply by Barnmice Admin on April 14, 2010 at 7:56am

The following are the FEI standards on excessive use of the whip:

2.2.1 Excessive Use Of The Whip

* The whip cannot be used to vent a rider’s temper. Such use is always excessive;
* The whip is not to be used after elimination or after a horse has jumped the last fence on a course;
* The whip is never to be used overhand, (for example a whip in the right hand being used on the left flank). The use of a whip on a horse’s head is always excessive use;
* A horse should never be hit more than three times for any one incident. If a horse’s skin is broken, it is considered excessive use of the whip.
* An Athlete identified as misusing or excessively using the whip will be disqualified and may be fined at the discretion of the Ground Jury.

Permalink Reply by Monica Whitmer on April 14, 2010 at 9:41am

It is sad that public release of the video was required to make the governing bodies take action - but it does show the power of the people. Now it will simply requires video of excessive use of hyperflexion in a dressage warmup - video of the WHOLE session, however long as it might be, to possible Force action against that form of abuse as well.

Kudos to the person who released the video and stirred the pot. mw