The EEF board made the move in a bid to “clamp down on offences and restructure the sport of endurance riding in the UAE.”
The temporary suspension for all riders and events in the country will run until February 11, at least.
World governing body for equestrian, the FEI, had previously banned the UAE from the sport due to concerns “over horse welfare, doping, the use of ‘ringers’ and phantom races.”
They were reinstated in June last year, three months on from their FEI ban and this is the first significant move from the EEF to restore faith in the UAE’s approach to the sport.
As a part of the announcement the EEF highlighted “violations and abuse of rules noted during the course of the Youth Endurance Ride (120kms) held on January 30.
“As many as 55 horses participated in this ride, but five riders and their mounts were eliminated after gross offences had been discovered during the course of the ride.”
The press release went on to confirm that five trainers who were overseeing the horses and riders have been banned, while the grooms of the horses will forfeit their licences.
No names were given as to those suspended, while the release also said that the stables responsible (also unnamed) where ordered to pay fines of $100,000 (Dhs367,000) to the EEF.
“The safety of horses and compliance with all rules and regulations is of utmost importance to the integrity of any sport. Endurance riding is comparatively new and it is crucial that we maintain its authenticity to ensure a bright and healthy future for the sport,” said EEF chairman, His Excellency Mohammed Al Kamali.
“The EEF is closely monitoring the situation and we will show a no tolerance policy towards any such breach of the rules and regulations in the future.”
As a result of the EEF’s announcement all endurance villages, clubs and stables will now be required to adhere to a uniform process of registering all service crew associated with the sport.
All personnel will be handed out permits which they will have to have on display during the course of the rides in the future.
HE Al Kamali regretted the suspension of all endurance activities in the UAE.
“We need to make our stance clear about rules and regulations that have been put in place to run this sport,” he said.
“The ultimate objective is to protect the sport of endurance riding, and one of the ways to do so is to ensure that all rules and regulations are complied by one and all who practice the sport or are associated with it.”