Riders call for leading sport sponsor to ask for change

Vets, judges and riders are calling on Longines to put pressure on the FEI to make changes

- ELEANOR JONES

LEADING equestrians have joined forces to encourage one of the industry's biggest sponsors to help bring about "a new era for equestrian sport".

A petition to Longines states: "Equestrian sports have several severe welfare issues...do their sponsors know what they are paying for?" The petition was signed at creation by FEI vets, judges, riders and trainers. It cites the fact that in 2012, Longines signed a long-term FEI deal.

"This was a moment described as the beginning of a new era for both equestrian sports and the FEI," it states. "But what equestrian sports really needed 10 years ago, and still need today, is a new era with a significantly stronger focus on horse welfare." The text cites the film made at the base of Danish dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand (news, 30 November).

"The problems are not unique to dressage... we fear the horse industry itself is at the tipping point of losing its social licence," the petition says.