Austrian Equestrian Federation OEPS lifts provisional ban against Alessandra Reich, proceedings not concluded

As the Austrian equestrian sports portal Eqwo.net reports, an appeal had been lodged against Alessandra Reich’s provisional ban. The OEPS had banned the championship show jumping rider after video footage from the Sunshine Tour allegedly showed her hitting her horse’s neck and head.

There has recently been a change of leadership at the OEPS. The previous President Elisabeth Max-Theurer was replaced by Herbert Gugganig, under whose aegis the appeal has now been granted.

The association explained that the basis of the decision was not the question of guilt, but a formal legal one, namely the question of whether the conditions for an immediate provisional measure, as was taken in the case of Alessandra Reich, were met: “The supreme appeals and penal committee did not consider these requirements to be met.” The provisional ban against Alessandra Reich was therefore lifted.

However, the association emphasizes: “The decision does not represent a final assessment of the facts.”

Disciplinary proceedings to follow

As the question of guilt has not yet been clarified, the next step will be to initiate proper disciplinary proceedings in which relevant evidence will be examined and the parties concerned will be granted “the appropriate party rights”. “A well-founded decision will then be made on the basis of all available evidence and in compliance with the right to be heard,” says the OEPS.

The association sees it as one of its central tasks to protect the welfare of horses and to strengthen the reputation of equestrian sport in the public eye. However, every accused person is entitled to a fair trial in compliance with all procedural steps and rights.

FEI-compliant?

The FEI Jumping Rules, which apply in the case of Alessandra Reich, 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.

What can you see in the pictures?

Eqwo.net reports that they have a video showing Alessandra Reich in several situations in which she “reprimands” her horses. Formally, she is acting within the framework permitted by the FEI, but the viewer gets the impression of an “emotional rider”.