LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) The International Equestrian Federation has stripped the United Arab Emirates of hosting the endurance world championships in December over horse welfare concerns.
The decision on Thursday follows a year of scrutiny about horse deaths, doping, and faked endurance races in the UAE.
The FEI says the emirates federation ''is not currently in a position to guarantee that horse welfare would be fully protected.''
The event was scheduled in Dubai, which is ruled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the husband of former FEI president Princess Haya of Jordan.
Long-distance endurance racing is popular in the Middle East and has been discussed as a potential Olympic discipline.
The FEI set a May 18 deadline for new bidders to host the 2016 worlds in September or October.
