4.7.1 - Stable Security & Stewarding at FEI Events (guidelines & requirements)


In order to ensure FEI Veterinary Regulations are implemented and met the following must be taken into consideration:

1.  RESTRICTED ACCESS TO STABLE AREA   For events that require stable security, a completely restricted stable(s) area is required as set forth in FEI Veterinary Regulations Art 1008/III. Accreditation must be checked as an access requirement and should only be granted to persons permitted to the stables area in accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations Art 1009.   A CCTV system may be prescribed by the FEI for certain events. Where possible an athletes area should be provided away from the general public. Access to this area must be limited to those permitted to access the stables area only. Whenever possible the stable area must include only stables and clean designated treatment boxes and testing boxes; lorries, caravans, etc., should not be permitted within the area. Access to stables must be limited to those persons indicated in the FEI Veterinary Regulations. It is essential that the official issuing authorized access be a responsible person of seniority within the Organising Committee. It is important that the NFs and OCs of international events liaise closely with the Veterinary Authorities and that the Committee and all officials, particularly the Chief Steward, are aware of the Veterinary Authorities requirements in respect to access control and separation of horses in the stables and during training.  

2.  CONTROL OF ACCESS   A control system must operate at all entrance gates so that there is an efficient and reliable method of identifying the accreditation of those who enter and leave the stable area at any time. Extra vigilance must be used in establishing the identity of persons and reasons for entering the stables during the night by means of a night access list.

3.  STEWARDING OF STABLE AREA   At least one stable steward, directly responsible to the Chief Steward, must be present or readily available in the vicinity of the stable area 24 hours a day during the entire duration of the event. He may be assisted by deputies as required. The steward/deputies must regularly patrol the stable area, without establishing any predetermined pattern, to discourage any form of illegal practices or abuses to horses. Any misdemeanours must be reported immediately to the Chief Steward. Stewards must be under instructions to ask for the appropriate ETUE if a horse is seen to receive treatment; this also applies to the use of nebulisers. The duty of the stewards is to safeguard the welfare of the horses and to prevent any form of illegal practices that may also disrupt fair play.  

4.  GROOMS   Grooms must be accredited to enter the stabling area. The Person Responsible must ensure that his/her grooms, or any other authorised persons with access to his/her horses, are familiar with the security and stewarding procedures operating at the event attended. They must also ensure that his/her grooms, or any other authorised persons with access to his/her horses, are familiar with the regulations pertaining to the use of substances on the FEI Prohibited Substances List. Grooms may also be sanctioned if found at fault under the EADCM Regulations and further accreditation may be withdrawn, preventing attendance at an FEI Event.  

5.  MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT EVENT GROUNDS   Movement of horses between the stables, practice, grazing and main arena must be strictly controlled. It is appreciated that flexibility will be required depending on the requirements of other disciplines.      

6.  STEWARDING OF PRACTICE ARENA   The Chief Steward must ensure that all practice arenas are fully stewarded all the time that they are officially open. He must also ensure that these arenas are subject to random controls when they are officially closed. 

7. PROCEDURE FOR MAIN ARENA FAMILIARISATION   The desired protocol for main arena familiarisation is as follows:

  • The main arena must be overseen by stewards.
  • Every effort should be made to set up the arena identically to how it will be during the competition. This includes judge huts, flowers, advertising, television cameras, background music, scoreboads, video boards etc. Video/broadcast cameras should have operators as they would during competition. Video boards, scoreboards and electronic advertising should be active as they will be during competition.
  • Horses must be hand walked in a bridle and only one at a time.
  • Horses must be allowed to work normally.
  • Five minute and one minute warnings to end sessions should be clearly given allowing orderly exit and entry of groups.
  • Overcrowding should be avoided especially if a free open arena is made available. A maximum of six horses at a time is ideal.
  • Championship shows should timetable national slots of at least 10 minutes per horse/40 minutes per team.
  • Trainers and grooms must be permitted access to the arena.
  • Horse should be separated according to competition level i.e. Pony, Junior, Young Rider etc. 

8.   GRAZING AREA   It is recommended that a grazing area be provided at all outdoor events, and that this be subject to random control. If available, horses must only be grazed or walked in hand within this area.   The Foreign Judge/TD at events will be specifically asked to check that the relevant requirements are met as reasonably as can be expected, depending on the discipline, and to indicate clearly any shortfalls, following which consideration may be given to altering the category of the event in future.  

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