Last weekend it was revealed Swiss number one show jumping rider, Martin Fuchs is under fire after the use of a whip at the CSI3* Linze 3 months ago. Earlier Fuchs released a statement. Now the FEI and Swiss animal welfare organisation have reacted as well.
In a reaction the FEI states the use of whip was not in violation of the FEI Rules. According to a statement of the federation the horse was examined on the competition and no signs of horse violation were found. On top Fuchs reported himself to the judges to explain the situation, as he already explained earlier.
The FEI refers to the rules for the use of a whip. In this international rule it reads the whip can never be used as an anger management tool. The head of the horse cannot be touched and a rider cannot use the whip more than 3 times. Further no signs of the use of the whip may be found on the horses' body after leaving the arena.
Meanwhile the Swiss organisation for animal welfare shares the opinion of her Austrian colleagues. "We see this use of a whip as a violation of the horses welfare. According to the Swiss regulations, shared by the Austrian rules. Together we have reported this case to the government."
source: St Georg
