Reply from Michael Stone

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Michael Stone m.stone@horsesport.org

Dear Ridecampers,

Firstly let me apologise for the mistake in my e.mail address it is 
m.stone@horsesport.org and I would also thank everyone who has responded.

I will not try and reply to all the comments but I will make an effort 
to give a general response.

The FEI is the International Governing Body of Equestrian Sport
World Wide. We have 125 member countries and are recognised by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC). We do not interfere in National 
affairs and we do not impose our rules on any national bodies. In other
words the AERC can and should organise Endurance rides in the USA
any way it wishes. However if US riders want to ride in International rides
and FEI Championships they must follow our rules, just the same way as US atheletes 
competing in the Olympic Games must follow IOC rules.

The FEI is extremely concerned about the welfare of the horse, it is one of our most basic 
rules. ( Our code of condust can be seen on our web site www.horsesport.org and is printed in every schedule and programme 
of every internationl event)

We are continually revising our rules to protect horses and are now in the 
process of introducing stricter qualifications for horses and riders 
and stricter training and approval for officials. However this is
a slow process, but we will ensure the welfare of our horses. In this
regard I think we should consider the completion rates. It is the FEIs belief that
a low completion rate is not nessecarily a bad thing providing
the pulled horses are fit to compete again in a short time. This low completion
only shows the vets are being strict. What we will not acvcept is a high completion rate 
and many horses out of action for months afterwards.

Regarding professionalism, I think there is a misunderstanding, professional
does not mean "money" it is an attitude, Becky Hart, Valerie Kanavy the US team management
Rick Stewart and Tony Bennediti are all professional in the way they approach the sport.
If a rider does not respect his horse and treat him professionally he will not even complete
let alone win. But like it or not there is money out there and the challange for us all is 
to use it to enhance our sport in a positive way.

I will continue to read this debate from my little office in Switzerland, but I will not respond
but hopefully we can have a frank and open debate in Reno.

Kind regards


Michael Stone

PS: The FEI have very strict medication rules for all its events including Endurance and
we do not permit medication of any sort.Anyone who was at the WEC will ahve seen our drug testing crew
very much in evidence.