British Eventing Fights New Frangible Pin Rules

PENALTIES for breaking a frangible pin and elimination for falls on the flat were among proposed eventing rule changes discussed at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) bureau meeting this week (31 March-1 April).

Since January 2009, riders have been eliminated for breaking a frangible pin but, if this amendment is approved, from 15 April competitors will get 25 penalties instead.

But British Eventing (BE) chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith said: “We’re completely against 25 penalties for breaking a pin, as we were elimination. You cannot penalise people for something they can’t control — we have data to support the fact that pins weaken.”

BE research, presented at the FEI safety conference at Hartpury College, showed pins are weakened by successive hits (news, 29 January)…

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Date: 3-20-2009
By: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk