In light of the recent controversy over Sapphire’s disqualification at the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final due to hypersensitivity, the Fédération Equestre Internationale has undertaken a review of the protocol for thermography and clinical examination (hypersensitivity of the legs). In an effort to further strengthen the protocol, the FEI issued the following mandatory guidelines to be applied by the veterinary commissions appointed for FEI events.
“Certainly I feel a little bittersweet,” said McLain Ward after the Fédération Equestre Internationale ruled that Sapphire should not have been disqualified from Round 2 at the World Cup Final (Switzerland) in April.
After a full investigation into the facts surrounding the disqualification of McLain Ward’s Sapphire at the FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, Switzerland, the Fédération Equestre Internationale has determined that the horse was incorrectly eliminated from the second round on April 16.
However, Sapphire’s disqualification from the final round of the World Cup remains in place.
Our columnist reflects on the World Cup controversy and what teamwork means to our sport.
This spring we witnessed one of the most controversial FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in the history of the sport. The U.S. riders had picked up where they left off at the 2008 Olympic Games and started out strongly, with Rich Fellers and Flexible winning the first leg of the World Cup. McLain Ward and Sapphire earned second-placed ribbons in the first two legs for the overall lead.
In response to the disqualification of Sapphire, McLain Ward’s mount in the Rolex/FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final in Geneva, Switzerland, following a thermography and clinical exam yesterday April 16, the U.S.
McLain Ward’s mount in the Rolex/FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final, Sapphire, was eliminated from the Round 2 of the Final in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday, April 16, and has been disqualified from the rest of the event following a positive hypersensitivity test.
The horse was selected for thermography testing on her legs yesterday and U.S. Team Veterinarian Tim Ober, DVM, was notified in the late afternoon that the horse would be tested shortly before Round 2 of the Final.
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