verity smith
New User
Thank you Rachel for writing such a great article on 17th December. I would like to respond to the spokesman for the FEI who cited setting 'a level playing field' as a reason for the Blindfold rule.
In Para dressage Grade 3, blind riders are few and are competing against all sorts of other disabilities who are, rightly so, given aids to maximise their ability. It is only blind riders that are further disabled with the FEI rule that we must wear a blindfold. Even though, most of us have some percentage of light and dark recognition. The FEI rule does not create a level playing field, it creates inequality, hence it is discriminatory and dangerous. The compulsory medical classification that International para riders undergo in order to be graded and to compete, SHOULD BE THE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
See the light FEI, and let blind riders see the light too.
In Para dressage Grade 3, blind riders are few and are competing against all sorts of other disabilities who are, rightly so, given aids to maximise their ability. It is only blind riders that are further disabled with the FEI rule that we must wear a blindfold. Even though, most of us have some percentage of light and dark recognition. The FEI rule does not create a level playing field, it creates inequality, hence it is discriminatory and dangerous. The compulsory medical classification that International para riders undergo in order to be graded and to compete, SHOULD BE THE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
See the light FEI, and let blind riders see the light too.