The horse world has many different training methods and disciplines, and equestrians worldwide have diverse opinions of what is right and wrong. The Equitana Australia equestrian trade show has a history of sourcing presenters from all types of training, to appeal to the broad equestrian audience. 'Star Presenters' are those which have achieved prestige in the equestrian world in competition or professional training. As with all sports, 'stars' should represent the best of the sport as their training methods are often replicated by their followers. Where horses are an integral part of the sporting partnership it is entirely appropriate that sports stars should also model the highest concern for horse welfare. In 2016, Equitana has listed Swedish Dressage rider Patrik Kittel as a 'Star Presenter', a known user of the practice known as rollkur, or as the international governing body Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) tones down, hyperflexion. Kittel is infamous for a video published by Epona TV where he was filmed in the warm up arena at the World Cup dressage qualifier in Odense, Denmark on October 16th 2009 riding Watermill Scandic for at least 2 hours [1] in extended periods of rollkur with such force that the horse's tongue went limp and turned blue. https://youtu.be/8hIXGiV4N4k Rollkur or hyperflexion of the horse's neck is a practice in equestrianism defined as "flexion of the horse's neck achieved through aggressive force" and is banned by FEI.[2][3] FEI recognises a distinction between rollkur and the riding of the horse in a deep outline not achieved by force.[2] Whilst there are varying opinions on what constitutes force, we believe Kittel’s riding style inarguably entails massive force. The technique has been controversial for some time in equestrian circles,[4]including petitions and boycotts (including a threatened boycott of the London 2012 Olympics) to promote banning of the practice.[3][5][6] FEI moved to ban rollkur/hyperflexion following the afore mentioned video of Patrik Kittel using rollkur during warm up at a competition, where the blue tongue incident occurred.[3][7][8] We strongly urge Equitana (Definitive Events) to maintain it’s reputation for supporting ethical horse training by removing Patrik Kittel as a presenter at Equitana 2016. References: 1. http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=3840 2. http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/294724.html 3. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article7021298.ece 4. http://www.fei.org/disciplines/dressage/press-releases/fei-round-table-conference-resolves-rollkur-controversy 5. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240281/Protests-horse-cruelty-equestrian-fans-threaten-boycott-2012-Olympics.html 6. http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/rollkur-101 7. http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/388/291767.html 8. http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/386/291500.html