Sheikh Mohammed backs task force charged with bringing "level playing field" to endurance racing

Planned rule changes include overhaul of operations at events, where officials have been criticised for turning a “blind eye” to rule-breaking, and greater use of technology

By Pippa Cuckson - Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

Sheikh Mohammed, whose Dubai stables have been at the centre of the doping and horse injury crises in Middle East endurance racing, is supporting the creation of a task force to implement rule changes, the International Equestrian Federation has revealed.

The task force will include representatives of IMG, because of its “extensive experience in reviewing and modernising competition structures in other sports”.

Sheikh Mohammed met FEI vice-presidents, John McEwen and Pablo Mayorga, and secretary general Ingmar De Vos on March 30 and offered his “full support” for measures to bring a “level playing field” to the sport.

Measures discussed included an overhaul of operations at events – where criticisms have been made of officials who turn a “blind eye” to rule-breaking – and greater use of technology.

Extensive recommendations delivered by the FEI Endurance Strategic Planning Group include greater use of GPS – to prevent riders taking short cuts – and microchip scanning during competitions to verify horse identities.

These two proposals have particular personal relevance, for Sheikh Mohammed’s son, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan, is under investigation for allegedly running a ringer at the 2012 world championships at Euston Park in Suffolk, an event organised by Sheikh Mohammed’s company Janah Management.

That investigation was reopened last month after new evidence was provided to the FEI by the Telegraph.

A spokesman for the FEI said: “The FEI Bureau is taking the conclusions and recommendations of the ESPG extremely seriously and has assumed full responsibility for the delivery of clear measures that will bring about a long-term solution to issues within the FEI’s fastest growing discipline.”

The proposals will be presented to the FEI annual Forum on April 29, the same day federations will vote on a change of statute permitting Princess Haya, Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, to stand for a third term as FEI president.