April 1, 2017 
Poland’s Dawid Kubiak and Bagazza M were disqualified from the second leg of the FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday night after blood was found on the horse’s left flank.
All horses competing in the Final are inspected by an FEI Steward in the post-competition boot and bandage control. Disqualification is mandatory under Article 242.3 of the FEI Jumping Rules when blood is found on the horse’s flank.
“There was no indication that there was any deliberate intention to injure the horse,” said ground jury president Stephan Ellenbruch, “but we have to ensure the best welfare standards for our horses and the rules have to be applied.”
According to a statement by Kubiak released on Facebook this morning, the blood resulted from a spur scratch.
While the Polish rider’s World Cup bid has come to an end, Bagazza M has been cleared to compete in the 1.55m International Grand Prix of Omaha tonight at 7:00pm CT, following this morning’s horse inspection.
Kubiak is the second rider to be disqualified from the 2017 World Cup Final. On Thursday, New Zealand’s Wendi Williamson and Dejavu MH were eliminated from the Dressage Grand Prix after blood was discovered in the horse’s mouth.
