FEI and IFHA Join Forces
First Meeting of the International Horse Sports Confederation
Focus on Horse Welfare
At the first meeting of the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the FEI and the IFHA confirmed that they share the same core values of protecting horse welfare and discussed in detail the different models under which both organisations operate.
The two organisations came to the conclusion that there are many commonalities and opportunities for further cooperation. Although there are operational differences due to regulatory requirements of our sports, both organisations are united by the horse and a shared philosophy built on our common values.
FEI President HRH Princess Haya (centre), was appointed President of the International Horse Sports Confederation at its first meeting last weekend. Louis Romanet (right of Princess Haya), Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), was appointed IHSC Vice President. Other attendees at the meeting were (from left) Graeme Cooke, FEI Veterinary Director; Ingmar De Vos, FEI Secretary General; John McEwen, FEI 1st Vice President and Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee; Pablo Mayorga, FEI 2nd Vice President; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and Vice Chairman of the IFHA; Andrew Harding, Secretary General of the Asian Racing Federation, IFHA Regional Technical Adviser (Asia) and Director of Racing Development HKJC; Dr Roland Devolz, IFHA Technical Advisor; Dr Anthony Kettle, Secretary of IFHA International Movement of Horses Committee (IMHC) and Head of Veterinary Department at Dubai Racing Club. (Photo: Richard Juilliart/FEI)
The FEI and the IFHA have joined forces by the creation of the IHSC and agreed on the priority to work together in the following fields always with the aim of ensuring the highest standards for welfare of the horse:
The continued commitment to fight against doping and any abuse of horses;
The cooperation with the OIE to facilitate the international movement of horses through the adoption of the concept of the “High Health High Performance Horse (HHP)”;
Assist the industry by surveillance of and reporting of diseases;
The creation of a Fund for joint initiatives to support the horse sports industry;
Further to recent allegations in the United States of America raised by PETA and reported on 20 March 2014, the IHSC strongly declares that animal cruelty has no place in its sports and urges the US Authorities which are investigating these allegations to leave no stone unturned.
Moreover, the IHSC calls on PETA to immediately and as a matter of urgency share with the relevant regulatory bodies all the materials they may still hold with regard to horse welfare in order to allow them to undertake the necessary actions.
Working groups were established to deal with the issues listed above.
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