Federation Equestre Internationale News - Equiworld Magazine March 2003

Federation Equestre Internationale News

26 March 2003

- FEI Executive Board Meeting
- World Cup Dressage Final
- World Cup Jumping
- Top Ten Final again in Geneva
- World Cup Driving
- FEI Eventing World Cup: preview Temecula (USA)
- Special report from Australia: CIC 3 stars Wandin Park
- Silver Camera Award, conditions of participation
- CSIO 3 stars Alexandria (EGY) cancelled

FEI Executive Board Meeting

The Executive Board met on 24 March 2003 in Zurich. The main topics discussed and the decisions taken were the following:

- Recommendations from the Strategic Planning Committee
The Executive Board took note of the Strategic Planning Committees proposal for a solution to the pay card problem. This was currently under discussion with all relevant parties.

- FEI / EU Relations
The Executive Board decided to create a working group to undertake a study on the FEI / EU relations which were becoming increasingly important. The group would be composed of George de Jong (NED), Jacky Buchmann (BEL), Dominique Faye (FRA), Hanfried Haring (GER), Philip Billington (GBR) and Bo Helander (FEI Secretary General).

- 2003 Final of Children’s International Jumping Competitions
On the recommendation of the Children Committee the Executive Board allocated the 2003 Children’s Final to Spruce Meadows, Calgary (CAN).

- 2003 Balkan Championships
Upon the request of the Organising Committee of the 2003 Balkan Championships scheduled to take place in Istanbul (TUR), the Executive Board agreed to the re-location of the Dressage competitions to Thesaloniki (GRE). The request was based on the technical and economical problems the OC was presently facing. Thus, only Jumping will remain in Instanbul, while Dressage will be held in Greece and Eventing in Arbanasi (BUL).

- Nations Cup
The Executive Board made a clarification to the rules for the Samsung Nations Cup Series and approved the exclusion of the Samsung Super League events when calculating the number of Nations Cup competitions to count per team for the calculation of the standings of the Series. Therefore the six best results will be taken into consideration (30% of the events) for all teams, even if a nation obtains points at a Samsung Super League as a wild card.

- FEI Development strategy
The Executive Board agreed to recommend that the Strategic Planning Committee establish a Working Group to work on a Development Strategy for the next 5 years.

- Eventing
The Executive Board agreed to the request of the 4-star Three Day Event Organisers to have a hearing with their representatives during the next meeting of the Executive Board. The Eventing 4-star Organisers wish to explain their position relating to the importance of maintaining the traditional Three Day Event format at Senior Championship level.

The next meting will take place on 25 April 2003 in Madrid (ESP).

World Cup Dressage Final

The following riders will participate to the World Cup Final to be held in Göteborg (SWE) from 27 to 30 March 2003.

Ricky Mc Millan / Crisp (AUS)
Iryna Lis /Problesk (BLR)
Shannon Dueck / Korona (CAN)
Richard Davidson / Ballaseyr Royale (GBR)
Gina Kapellmann-Lütkeme / Amando (GER)
Heike Kemmer / Albano (GER)
Ulla Salzgeber / Rusty (GER)
Isabell Werth / Antony FRH (GER)
Marlies Van Baalen / Idocus (NED)
Alexandra Korelova / Balagur (RUS)
Christian Pläge / Regent (SUI)
Daniel Ramseier / Rali Baba (SUI)
Jan Brinks / Björsells Briar 899 (SWE)
Helena Larsson / Corrado WL 919 (SWE) – wild card
Minna Telde / Björsells Sack 907(SWE) – wild card
Debbie McDonald / Brentina (USA) – wild card
Guenter Seidel / Nikolaus 7 (USA)
George Williams / Rocher (USA)

The Grand Prix will be held on Friday 28 10:00. The Final will be held on Sunday at 12:00.

More information on http://www.goteborghorseshow.com/

World Cup Jumping

Pessoa wins in 's-Hertogenbosh

Rodrigo Pessoa made it very clear in 's-Hertogenbosch, that he intends to reclaim the FEI World Cup jumping title.

Seven riders contested the jump off after the course designed by Hank Drabbe proved troublesome to most of the field, including world ranked no.1 Ludger Beerbaum, World cup champion Otto Becker, World Champion Dermott Lennon who all failed to reach the jump off.

Home rider Eric van de Vleuten was first to go in the jump off but had one down, Marco Kutscher was clear with a time that would not prove too hard to beat. Malin Baryard riding H&M Butterfly Flip beat the early time but was unlucky not to go clear but still gained valuable points in her bid to travel to the Final in Las Vegas and with Gothenburg to come next week ,she still has an outside chance of making the "top eighteen" of the standings of the

Great Britain's Robert Smith riding Mr Springfield had a fast clear round which home rider Jan tops couldn't beat and it was left to three times FEI World Cup champion Rodrigo Pessoa to jump an incredible round which had the Dutch crowd on their feet cheering as he smashed Smiths' time by 3 seconds.

Pessoa commented that he was very pleased with Baloubet de Rouet 's performance and well he might be, as he travels to Las Vegas in two weeks time searching for his elusive fourth FEI World Cup title.

Jumping Top Ten Final To Be Held In Geneva (Sui)

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC)and the FEI allocated the Top Ten Final to Geneva.

Geneva CSI-W, which will be held from 4 to 7 December, will host the Top Ten Final for the third consecutive year. Last year, 36’000 spectators attended the show, which was elected best indoor event of the 2001-2002 season by the riders themselves.

The first two editions of the Final saw the victory of Ludger Beerbaum (GER), undisputed leader of the FEI/Gandini World Jumping Riders Rankings, with Goldfever in 2001 and and Gladdy’s last December. The Final will again be supported by Gandini High Fashion Fabrics and Rolex.

Geneva CSI-W website : http://www.concours-hippique.ch

World Cup Driving

Exell accelerates in ‘s-Hertogenbosch

Australia’s Boyd Exell won the FEI World Cup Driving competition in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED). Despite two knocked down balls, Exell passed the finish line one second faster than Mark Weusthof. The Netherlands’ tallest team driver drove a clear round with his team of greys and came second, ahead of last year’s winner Christoph Sandmann. Tomas Eriksson, IJsbrand Chardon and wild card driver Harry de Ruyter took the places four to six. Immediately after the exciting competition, which was broadcasted live on Dutch television, the names of the five drivers who qualified for the ninth competition in Göteborg were announced. Michael Freund (Germany), Boyd Exell (Australia), Mark Weusthof (Netherlands), Tomas Eriksson (Sweden) and Christoph Sandmann(Germany) will travel to Göteborg next weekend.

The last leg of the FEI World Cup Driving will take place in Göteborg, Sweden, from 27 to 30 March.

The FEI World Cup Driving will be broadcasted on television channel CNBC Sports Europe on 14th June (from 23.30-00.00 GMT).

Created in 2001, the Driving World Cup has provided an innovative new style of competition for indoor events, with courses combining marathon and cone driving obstacles. The 2002/2003 season of the World Cup includes nine events: Stuttgart (GER), Stockholm (SWE), Geneva (SUI), Mechelen (BEL) in 2002; Leipzig (GER), Bordeaux (FRA), Vigo (ESP), Œs-Hertogenbosch (NED) and Göteborg (SWE) in 2003. The Top 5 Four-in-Hand drivers of the standings after the first eight events will compete in the last event in Göteborg from 27 to 30 March 2003.

The 2001/2002 World Cup Champion is Michael Freund (GER).

FEI Eventing World Cup

GALWAY DOWNS HOSTS FIRST USA WEST COAST WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Eventing's first World Cup Final will be held in Pau, France this October, and Galway Downs in Temecula, California is hosting the only West Coast qualifying event for both United States riders, and riders from other national federations. Any American rider finishing in the top four of the CIC-W*** will receive an invitation to the inaugural World Cup Finals.

Riders will perform their dressage test on Friday, and on Saturday they will compete over a 38 obstacle cross country course. Following the CIC format, there will be no roads and tracks, and no steeplechase. On Sunday morning the horses will undergo a veterinary inspection before competing in the final phase - show jumping.

The event will truly have an international flair, befitting its CIC-W*** status with riders from Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, as well as the United States. Some of American's top eventing riders will be vying for an invitation to the World Cup Final. World Equestrian Games riders Amy Tryon and Gina Miles will both be competing, as well as local talents Natalie Rooney and Jill Walton.

Website http://www.galwaydowns.com

Next FEI Eventing qualifier will be held in World Junia Rabello (Brazil) from 10 –12 April 2003.

The first Final of the Eventing World Cup will be held in Pau (FRA) from 23-26 October 2003

News From Australia : 2003 Wandin Park International CIC ***

MIDDLETON'S DOMINATION CONTINUES...
By Adam Fawcett in Australia
afawcettjournalist@hotmail.com

Australian World Equestrian Games competitor David Middleton has continued his domination of Australian eventing by taking out the CIC*** on the twelve year old Armitage Downie Warlord at the Wandin Park International Horse Event, Australia held on 23 March 2003.

The win was not an easy one, David slowly clawing his way back from 6th place to snatch victory by just 0.03 points with a score of 61.96 ahead of fellow World Equestrian Games competitor Olivia Bunn and GV Top of the Line on 61.99.

With the influence of both Captain Mark Phillips and Sydney 2000 course designer Mike Etherington-Smith reigning supreme, Wandin Park has become one of Australia's most challenging tracks, David Middleton proving just what a force he is for Australia, the only rider to come home clear and under time - on both his three star horses.

Third place went to Atlanta Olympic Gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer and last years Adelaide four star victor Koyuna Sun-Glo on 62.70, Middleton taking home fourth on his 2003 advanced state champion R.U.N.V.S on 63.83.

With just 1.87 points separating the top four places, and with all of them being held by squad members, Australian team selectors are sure to have a headache picking a line-up for Athens.

Silver Camera Award For The Best Picture Of 2002/2003

The CHIO Aachen, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the Sparkasse announce the contest “Best Equestrian Photo of the Year” for which the award is presented on the occasion of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2003, from 17 to the 22 June.

A jury of experts will determine the winner and present the prizes.

In addition to the “Silver Camera” trophy, the winner will receive a cash prize of EUR 2.600,--, the second EUR 500,-- and the third placed EUR 250,--. All participants will receive the CHIO- Journal AIXcours.

Professional photographers shall submit their photographs and Curriculum Vitae to:

Aachener Reitturnier GmbH
“Die Silberne Kamera”
Albert-Servais-Allee 50
52070 Aachen, Germany

The photographs on the short list will be exhibited in the public area during the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2003. The presentation ceremony will take place on the occasion of CHIO Aachen in June 2003.

Conditions of Participation:

1) The photographs with equestrian sport scenes from around the world must have been taken between April 1st, 2002 and March, 31st 2003.
2) The participants declare to be the author of the submitted photo.
3) Each participant may submit a maximum of three different photographs (colour or b/w)
4) Format: The length and width of the paper photographs must be between 40cm (minimum) and 60cm (maximum). In addition, a second print of the photographs (ca. 18 x 24cm) must be provided. Digital pictures can be sent on CD (must be TIF, JPG or BMP; resolution 300 dpi) The backside of the photographs must state the picture’s title, the name of the photographer, as well as the date and place were the photo was taken.
5) The awarded photos and photos of the short list will only be used by the Organisers in conjunction with the contest (exhibit, prize giving ceremony).
6) Publication of the awarded pictures in conjunction with the contest should be at no fee for the editors/ publishers.
7) Further commercial use of the photos should be agreed between the photographer and the publisher(s) independently of the organizers.
7) Paper photos and CDs will only be returned upon request and at own risk
8) The jury’s decision is final and cannot be contested by any legal action.
9) Participation in the “Silver Camera Award” is subject to acceptance of the above conditions.
10) Only professional photographers are entitled to participate in the contest.
11) The winners will be contacted personally. The photographers are required to send their complete contact data, including e-mail when available.

Final closing date for the contest is April 15th, 2003.

CSI0 3 STARS Alexandria Cancelled

The Egyptian Equestrian Federation just informed the FEI that CSIO 3 stars Alexandria, due to take place from 24 to 26 April 2003 had been cancelled due to the current situation in the Middle East. A new date will be decided when the circumstances allow it.