Blood rules a focus in jumping and new whip rule proposed

There are calls for lighter sanctions if a horse has been marked in minor fashion, by accidental means

- BECKY MURRAY

BLOOD eliminations in international showjumping continue to be a major focus – and padded batons are proposed as a replacement for traditional whips.

The FEI jumping rules are undergoing a full revision, and the first draft of proposed changes has been published.

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) has continued its calls for proportionality in sanctions for micro cases of blood, particularly when riders are eliminated at championships, as was the case with Brazilian rider Pedro Veniss at Paris.

The IJRC has proposed that if blood is found on a flank, if caused by an “inappropriate act”, or “remains bleeding after wiping”, the combination is disqualified. But in the case of a “micro lesion or mark”, deemed accidental by a vet, the combination instead gets a “not classified” result.

“Micro lesions that do not cause suffering to the horse cannot be considered in the same way as lesions caused by excessive use of spurs or horse abuse,” the IJRC said.