ANNOUNCEMENT

The lack of response to our emails and messages from the Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP), and out of respect for the Pony Dressage Trophy teams, compels us to make the following clarification publicly:
Immediately after the final of the Pony Dressage Trophy, which took place on the 30th of November and 1st of December at the Dressage Academy, we noticed that the Cardiga Dressage Ponies team was not listed among the team award winners. It did not seem correct or appropriate to confront the organization at that location, in front of all the teams. We decided instead to contact the Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP), which took the necessary steps to correct the error. The official results sheet was corrected (see annex), and the President of the FEP, Dr. Bruno Rente, even made a point of visiting the J Cardiga Academy on December 14th to present the 3rd place trophies to the young athletes, a gesture for which we are very grateful.

On December 19th, the situation took a more complex turn when a specialized magazine published the results that appear on the official website, which differ from the official results sheet sent to us. Once again, we questioned the FEP about the lack of updating of the results, emphasizing that this discrepancy compromises not only the credibility of the federation but also generates confusion and dissatisfaction among the athletes, trainers, and pony owners and clubs who trust the integrity of the information disclosed.

Unfortunately, as of today (December 27th), we have not received a response from the FEP, and consequently, the divergence between the two sets of results (the one on the website and the one sent to us, in the annex) continues to cause discomfort among those involved.

In light of this, we are left with no option but to make the situation public in an attempt to preserve the integrity and prestige of the pony competition, which also depends on the federation''''''''s commitment to act with responsibility and transparency.

To the teams involved, Páteo Lusitano and Cardiga Dressage Ponies, we express our solidarity and remain at your disposal for whatever you may need.

Finally, we invite all those involved to demand good governance practices, aiming not only at the correction of errors and failures that may occur but also at building a more solid and reliable future for equestrian sport in the country.

Maria de Lurdes Cardiga,

President of the Board