FEI rules on the use of draw reins to be formulated more clearly

Art. 257 of the FEI Jumping Rules states:

“In the Competition arena (…) Reins must be attached to the bit(s) or directly to the bridle. A maximum of two pairs of reins may be used. If two pairs of reins are used, one pair must be attached to the bit or directly ti the bridle. (…)

Draw reins (running reins) are forbidden in the Competition arena except during prize giving ceremonies and march-past parades.”

Problem: The video of Christian Kukuk riding Just be Gentle on bare reins is not from the “Competition arena”, but from a side arena. What applies here is not clearly defined.

Statement FEI

However, the World Equestrian Federation FEI has now taken a stance on the WDR Instagram channel ” Die mit den Pferden” and issued the following statement:

“The incident occurred in a training arena during a time specifically set aside for dressage. Unfortunately, it was not noticed by the stewards present.

The FEI has acknowledged the athlete’s apology and regret regarding his behavior. The FEI has also contacted the athlete directly and made it clear that this type of rein use will not be tolerated in the sport.

According to the FEI Jumping Rules, the use of draw reins alone is not permitted. Although no formal sanctions were imposed during the competition as the officials on site did not intervene, the FEI discussed the matter directly with the athlete.

The FEI will in future clarify the relevant rules to remove any ambiguity and make it explicitly clear that such use of reins or draw reins is not permitted at any time. In addition, an appropriate sanction will be defined in the event that such a situation is repeated.”

Reaction of the FN

The German Equestrian Federation (FN) commented directly on the matter. The chairman of the board, Dr. Dennis Peiler, told Rheinlands Reiter + Pferde:

“We reacted immediately as an association. In discussions with the FN, he was self-critical and aware that he had not acted correctly in this situation. We expect him to do better in the future. As a squad rider and Olympic champion, he has a role model function.”

However, there will be no sanctions, as FN President Martin Richenhagen made clear to ZDF, “because it is definitely not a case of cruelty to animals”.

He immediately sought talks with Ludger Beerbaum and Otto Becker. “It’s not really the case that anything very, very dramatic happened. The excitement is much greater than what happened on the ground. The horse came third in the jumping competition afterwards, so it can’t have been that bad.”

Background

The video in question is a 35-second sequence. Two circles are filmed by Christian Kukuk with Just be Gentle, first in canter and then briefly in trot at the very end. Kukuk only has the reins in his hand, no other reins and works backwards with his hand. After one and a half rounds in canter, the rider parries through to trot. The mare’s rhythm is clearly unclear.

Statement Kukuk

Christian Kukuk later publicly apologized for his riding on the video. He had made a “wrong decision” and explained it as follows:

“Just Be Gentle is a very energetic, sensitive horse that requires a very individual approach. (…) In Verona, she was incredibly excited in the first few days. I had to think about how best to approach the horse, how to get her on my side communicatively and how to get the tension out of the horse.”

Contrary to what is shown in the video, it is always just about getting the tension out.

Riding exclusively on draw reins was helpful from his point of view:

“With the normal reins and the loop reins, i.e. with two reins in the hand, I end up having a limited effect on the horse. And with Just Be Gentle, I have found that this approach results in a connection that is too erratic. In other words, my reins in the snaffle ring didn’t have a continuous connection to the mouth, but were very erratic, and in the end she only accepted the loop reins. And that’s why I said: Okay, so as not to have this erratic connection, because it’s really important to communicate with the horse continuously and I have to be with her, I have to give contact in order to get the tension out and not in – which really came across wrong – so I decided to take the reins off so that I could give her better contact at that moment in my opinion.”