Rollkur in the news again this time at the Danish Dressage Championships.
Rollkur or hyperflexion of the horse's neck is defined as "flexion of the horse's neck achieved through aggressive force"
FEI rules state that "any head and neck position achieved through aggressive force is not acceptable."
Photographs of Anna Kasprzak, Andreas Helgstrand and Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard rolling and flexing their horses under the watchful eye of Danish Team trainer Rudolf Zeilinger have been posted on Facebook.
Epona.TV have accused the organizers of the Dressage Championships of attempting "to silence criticism of questionable training methods"
Ecco sponsors of the FEI Ecco European Championships are receiving complaints via their Facebook page, Anna Kasprzak 's family own Ecco.
The Danish Equestrian Federation has responded with a press statement:
Statement regarding criticism of riders at the Danish dressage championships.
by Rikke Højgaard
In the last few days, pictures have been published on social media and epona.tv of riders and horses from the Danish dressage championships. The pictures have given rise to some debate and criticism of particularly Danish champion Anna Kasprzak. The Danish Equestrian Federation does not handle cases in the public domain, but we have the following comment on the debate:
Horse welfare is always the first priority for the Danish Equestrian Federation. To ensure that our competition horses are well and always fit to compete, the horses are monitored and and examined by veterinarians and physiotherapists both before, during and after competition.
We are fully confident that our riders do what they can to ensure the welfare of their horses. Should any situations arise where there is doubt as to whether the rules have been broken, we will of course take up the matter and process it. However, this will not happen in the public domain, but with the proper authorities.
In relation to the published photos of Anna Kasprzak from the Danish championships in 2013, we have the following comment.
We are 100% behind Anna and her riding. We know Anna and her family through many years, and one thing is certain – horse welfare is and has always been a first priority for Anna and the family, and they are an example to follow. To judge Anna's riding from pictures of moments in time is unjust, as a still photo taken from a certain angle does not fully reproduce the complete reality.
- See more at: http://epona.tv/blog/2013/june/danish-nf-100-behind-kasprzak#sthash.mXBtaKeD.dpufStatement regarding criticism of riders at the Danish dressage championships.
by Rikke Højgaard
In the last few days, pictures have been published on social media and epona.tv of riders and horses from the Danish dressage championships. The pictures have given rise to some debate and criticism of particularly Danish champion Anna Kasprzak. The Danish Equestrian Federation does not handle cases in the public domain, but we have the following comment on the debate:
Horse welfare is always the first priority for the Danish Equestrian Federation. To ensure that our competition horses are well and always fit to compete, the horses are monitored and and examined by veterinarians and physiotherapists both before, during and after competition.
We are fully confident that our riders do what they can to ensure the welfare of their horses. Should any situations arise where there is doubt as to whether the rules have been broken, we will of course take up the matter and process it. However, this will not happen in the public domain, but with the proper authorities.
In relation to the published photos of Anna Kasprzak from the Danish championships in 2013, we have the following comment.
We are 100% behind Anna and her riding. We know Anna and her family through many years, and one thing is certain – horse welfare is and has always been a first priority for Anna and the family, and they are an example to follow. To judge Anna's riding from pictures of moments in time is unjust, as a still photo taken from a certain angle does not fully reproduce the complete reality.
- See more at: http://epona.tv/blog/2013/june/danish-nf-100-behind-kasprzak#sthash.mXBtaKeD.dpufStatement regarding criticism of riders at the Danish dressage championships.
by Rikke Højgaard
In the last few days, pictures have been published on social media and epona.tv of riders and horses from the Danish dressage championships. The pictures have given rise to some debate and criticism of particularly Danish champion Anna Kasprzak. The Danish Equestrian Federation does not handle cases in the public domain, but we have the following comment on the debate:
Horse welfare is always the first priority for the Danish Equestrian Federation. To ensure that our competition horses are well and always fit to compete, the horses are monitored and and examined by veterinarians and physiotherapists both before, during and after competition.
We are fully confident that our riders do what they can to ensure the welfare of their horses. Should any situations arise where there is doubt as to whether the rules have been broken, we will of course take up the matter and process it. However, this will not happen in the public domain, but with the proper authorities.
In relation to the published photos of Anna Kasprzak from the Danish championships in 2013, we have the following comment.
We are 100% behind Anna and her riding. We know Anna and her family through many years, and one thing is certain – horse welfare is and has always been a first priority for Anna and the family, and they are an example to follow. To judge Anna's riding from pictures of moments in time is unjust, as a still photo taken from a certain angle does not fully reproduce the complete reality.
- See more at: http://epona.tv/blog/2013/june/danish-nf-100-behind-kasprzak#sthash.mXBtaKeD.dpuf"In the last few days, pictures have been published on social media and epona.tv of riders and horses from the Danish dressage championships. The pictures have given rise to some debate and criticism of particularly Danish champion Anna Kasprzak. The Danish Equestrian Federation does not handle cases in the public domain, but we have the following comment on the debate:
Horse welfare is always the first priority for the Danish Equestrian Federation. To ensure that our competition horses are well and always fit to compete, the horses are monitored and and examined by veterinarians and physiotherapists both before, during and after competition.
We are fully confident that our riders do what they can to ensure the welfare of their horses. Should any situations arise where there is doubt as to whether the rules have been broken, we will of course take up the matter and process it. However, this will not happen in the public domain, but with the proper authorities.
In relation to the published photos of Anna Kasprzak from the Danish championships in 2013, we have the following comment.
We are 100% behind Anna and her riding. We know Anna and her family through many years, and one thing is certain – horse welfare is and has always been a first priority for Anna and the family, and they are an example to follow. To judge Anna's riding from pictures of moments in time is unjust, as a still photo taken from a certain angle does not fully reproduce the complete reality."
Image: Pitke licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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