It follows a warning earlier this week by Patrick Hickey, the president of the European Olympic Committee, that the sport was in danger of being voted off the Games schedule for 2016 following the latest doping controversy that overshadowed this year’s event.
The Princess, the daugther of King Hussein I of Jordan, has warned in an interview with Horse & Hound published today that the sport must take the threat the seriously and event its place at London 2012 could come under review.
She said that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had also received complaints from the dressage competition during the Games in Hong Kong.
The Princess, elected as the president of the FEI two years ago and who is also a member of the IOC told the magazine: “The FEI has a huge fight to even get to 2012.
.”The IOC have heard from our stakeholders and wrote to us about the set-up and presentation of dressage.
“The popularity of dressage is abnormally low and there are complaints about judging and the make up of judging panels and committees.
“Anyone who thinks equestrian sports are secure for London is mistaken.
“The IOC has very reasonable and legitimate concerns about eventing safety and the way the dressage committee is working.
“It could also be the end of show jumping as an Olympic sport, too, as they are unlikely to leave it on its own.”
