FN confirms interim order of the Dortmund Regional Court to lift the provisional ban against show jumper Alessandra Reich

It was announced on May 22nd that the Regional Court of Dortmund had issued an interim injunction and suspended the provisional ban on the Austrian show jumper Alessandra Reich from competing in Germany. In legal terms, this is a suspension order that applies until the Dortmund Regional Court has ruled on the matter (application for suspension of the ban by the rider until the main proceedings).

Today, the FN announced that the Disciplinary Commission decided yesterday, June 1st, to lift the provisional ban against Alessandra Reich. This means that Reich was at least successful with her application to suspend the ban. However, the main proceedings are still pending.

The FN states: “The Disciplinary Commission expects the responsible Austrian Federation to continue and conclude the pending main proceedings in a timely manner. A sanction imposed by the Austrian Equestrian Federation (OEPS) in the main proceedings will be recognized by the German Equestrian Federation in accordance with Article 41 of the Statutes of the World Equestrian Federation (FEI) and implemented accordingly.”

Background

Videos had emerged of Alessandra Reich beating horses with a riding crop. As a result, the Austrian federation (OEPS) temporarily banned her until the disciplinary commission had ruled on the matter. The FN followed this decision, which is particularly significant for Reich as she rides for Austria but lives in Germany.

In the meantime, however, there had been a change in the OEPS federation leadership and the new leadership did not consider the prerequisite for a temporary ban to be given and lifted it again, while the FN initially did not follow suit until the interim order from the Dortmund Regional Court was announced on May 22.

When does the use of the jumping crop exceed a limit?

The FEI Jumping Rules regulate in which form the use of the whip is prohibited. Article 265.1.2 states:

Any excessive use of the crop is strictly prohibited. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provision, the following acts are considered excessive use of the crop:

265.1.2.1 the use of the whip to vent the athlete’s anger;

265.1.2.2 The use of the crop on the horse’s head;

265.1.2.3 using the crop more than three times in succession;

265.1.2.4 the use of the crop that results in injury to the horse’s skin; and

265.1.2.5 the use of the crop after exclusion.

A rider found to be misusing or overusing the whip will be disqualified and may be fined at the discretion of the panel of judges.

Whether Alessandra Reich acted within the permissible framework or not must now be decided by the Arbitration Court of the Austrian Association.