Positive FEIF council in Strasbourg

The well-being of horses, ethics in competition and communication of nations within FEIF and drug use in competition were the main topics at the FEIF general meeting.

JENS EINARSSON:
Wellbeing of horses, ethics in competition and communication between the nations within FEIF and drug use in competition were the main topics at the FEIF general meeting which was held in Strasbourg last weekend.  

Special „FEIF ethics“ (Code of Ethics) where the main core is for people to show their horse as well as each other respect and friendship, respect the rules, does not abuse the horses and other people for their own personal gain etc.

FEIF board has already signed the paper and thereby committed itself to follow the rules. The rules were on the other hand only an introduction and they were discussed in detail within the committee.  Various proposals were made for amendments and they were presented and will be discussed within the FEIF board, which probably will bring forth a new proposal soon. Generally, people were positive towards this initiative.

FEIF vice-chairman Gunnar Sturluson said that the atmosphere at the general meeting was positive. No major alterations on the rules had been agreed upon but a few matters had been postponed until the next general meeting, which will be held in Iceland in 2014.

Gunnar says that the drug issue had been discussed quite extensively and that he had brought forth some suggestions in connection with that, which aim to prevent any uncertainty about jurisdiction, like happened when illegal drugs were diagnonzed in a horse from a competition rider from Austria at the Mid European championship last year.
„On the other hand the situation is such that quite a few Icelandic horse organizations within FEIF are not in the horse sports association in the countries they come from and therefore they are not a part of a certain drug inspectorate. So this entire matter needs to be reviewed for it to be considered in an acceptable state.
Generally speaking, people are rather optimistic in the future of the Icelandic horse in the FEIF countries, although many are quite concerned due to lack of new  members and distribution by us, while there is an increase in other horse breeds.

A few interesting speeches were presented at the council meeting. Þorgeir Guðlaugsson gave a speech about judges- and competition matters and brought forth questions on what in fact is allowable and what is not regarding ethical point of view.

Þorvaldur Kristjánsson introduced his research on the different gaits of the Icelandic horse. The speech was very well received and will undoubtedly be taken into consideration in the so called TaskForce committee within FEIF which is working on alteration on the regulations.

Then a French woman, Silvie Rizo, explained about a rated system for leisure horses done by the French horse association. Icelandic horses have been rated by this system since 2011 and if they pass the examination they will receive a certificate stating that they are good for this usage and are not dangerous. A rating system such as this has been discussed by LH for a few years and I expect that quite soon ideas on this will be presented“ Gunnar said.