In an interview with the German newspaper, der Spiegel, Beerbaum has agreed to have a constructive talk about his vision of the equestrian community and the criticism of the public. Main focus was the RTL-report that was sent out earlier this year. In this interview, Beerbaum criticizes the national German federation an the FEI.
Beerbaum explains his training methods. In the RTL-report, that was distributed at the beginning of this year, you can see the German making his horse careful by baring it. At this moment the disciplinary case against Beerbaum is still ongoing. "The problem is I don't want it to be dismissed, " Beerbaum explains. The criminal investigation has however already be dismissed.
The German however criticizes the FN (The German national federation, red.) and the FEI. "The federations allow themselves to be guided by the public," explains Beerbaum. "This means, we, the rides, experts, etc. have no longer the authority to decide the rules and do's and don'ts in our sport. I fear for a future were every training method or tools like spurs, whips, etc. will be questioned by the public opinion. It is up to the federation to teach our society and explain why we use certain tools or train horses with certain methods. Further explain that these tools and methods are not necessarily animal-unfriendly."
You have to learn from critic(s)
Beerbaum nuances the situation and explains criticism is not a bad thing. "We have to take our responsibility and explain the society why we do things. Criticism is not a bad thing, as long as we take our responsibility to explain."
Read the full interview (German): Click here
Source: Spiegel Sport