Equestrian Australia Statement - Rio Equestrian Venue

Equestrian Australia has been made aware of the media reports in relation to the readiness of Rio to host equestrian competition.

Equestrian Australia has received no official reports to suggest that the equestrian competition will not take place in Rio.

We share the concerns the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) echoed in media reports that the delays in finalising the travel protocols have impacted travel preparations for all nations competing in equestrian events in Rio.

The delays have not impacted our riders’ preparations for the Rio Games at all and on that front our teams are training and preparing well. 

At the recent test event in Rio (attended by Equestrian Australia) detailed updates given bythe Rio Organising Committee, Brazilian Government officials, Transport Agencies and the FEI suggested the matters relating to travel and quarantine would be resolved and there was no doubt raised that the competition would not be held at Deodoro in Rio.   

We will be following up direct with the FEI to seek a formal update.

Australia is proceeding with preparations for Rio, with all Olympic teams now qualified in Eventing, Jumping and Dressage. 

Ingmar De Vos, President of the FEI issued the below statement: 

"We have been working for some time with Rio2016, the Brazilian and Rio Authorities and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture to get the Veterinary Certificate and Protocol approved that will define the conditions for importation and exportation of the horses that will compete at the Rio Olympic Games. The process of approval of the equine health certificate by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has already taken a lot of time and is still not finalised. This has an important impact as it delays the planning and preparation of the horses that will take part in the Games.

As the President of the Brazilian Equestrian National Federation, Luiz Robert Giugni has supported us very actively during these negotiations and we appreciate that in his efforts to help the equestrian community in the discussions with his compatriots he is applying all possible pressure to achieve this.

We have had further discussions earlier this week and I expect the Ministry of Agriculture to issue this certificate very soon so that we can carry on with preparations for the Olympic Games and that the biosecurity protocols will ensure the safe import and export of the Olympic horses. Therefore we are confident that our horses will be allowed to travel back and forth to Rio to participate in 2016 Olympic Games together with all the other Olympic sports. We are looking forward to very successful Olympic equestrian events in Deodoro next year."