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Re: [RC] Regarding the Mongol Derby - Kat/Terry/FEI Position - Beverley H. Kane, MDI agree with Kat that the vitriol shown by some of the disloyal opposition is a sign of envy. More specifically it reeks of ³NIHism²--Not Invented Here. Whatever one thinks of the Mongol Derby, the pissy, petty unprofessional, unsportsmanlike diatribes issued by the Long Riders Guild are guaranteed to have the effect of provocation, not the protection of the horses by which they purport to be motivated. Face it, the Adventurists will gain more PR w/ this event than the LRG has ever enjoyed. The LRG consider themselves the most daring, the most enduring of the distance riders. Now they've been upstaged. Not to get too psychological, but there is a lot of Dark Shadow Projection going on here. I teach the dynamics of projection to medical students and doctors at Stanford--employing horses! (Medicine and Horsemanship-- Projection monograph available on request). The telltale sign is the huge emotional outlay that goes with an "objective" observation. Yes, objectively the Adventurists are taking a (well?)-calculated risk. One can articulate concerns in a constructive way, rationally discussing the facts. Or one(s) can hop up and down w/ their panties in a twist like the LRG, who this morning issued an absolutely screeching, sanctimonious, xenophobic, and shameful last gasp against the FEI and the UAE. It starts out, "It's official. The sport of endurance racing has been sold to the Arabs" and the rant only gets more infantile as it goes on. The official position of the FEI is as stated below. I believe that is the exact correct position to have: if you can't support the event, at least support the horses. (Based on what Jay Randle wrote about Katy and based on my personal communications w/ representatives of the company, Barefoot Saddles seems to be essentially doing the same.) "Dear CuChullaine, I refer to my email of the 22nd July 2009 and as promised I can now provide you with a further update. I confirm that the FEI's position remains unchanged and the FEI does not 'support the event' but is supportive of any actions that might be taken to support the welfare of those horses that may be involved with this particular event. The FEI's position is as follows: The FEI confirms that we have held a meeting with the organising company of the Mongol Derby to obtain specific detailed information, at the request of the UAE, with regard to the horses being used and the equine support being provided for the event from within Mongolia. That information has now been passed to the UAE who have expressed the wish to provide elite level Veterinary Support, both in terms of equipment and experienced personnel, to the organisers through the Mongolian Government both pre, during and post event. As confirmed already by the FEI , the Mongol Derby is not an FEI recognised event and does not come under the remit or control of the FEI as the Governing body for International Equestrian sport. The FEI continues to work with organisations towards achieving the highest welfare support for all horses.' Kind Regards, Ian Ian Williams Director, Non-Olympic Sports Fédération Equestre Internationale Av de Rumine 37 1005 Lausanne Switzerland t +41 21 310 47 47 f +41 21 310 47 60 e Ian.williams@xxxxxxx =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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