|
Federation
Equestre Internationale News
FEI Bureau Meeting
|
The
FEI held its Bureau Meeting on 6 and 7 November in Moscow (RUS)
on the invitation of the Russian Equestrian Federation and its
President Mrs Elena Baturina.
The
following items were discussed, decided and/or would be referred
to at the FEI General Assembly to held next April in Manama (Bahrain).
STATUTES
AND GENERAL REGULATIONS
The Bureau reviewed the proposed modifications of the Statutes
and General Regulations. Generally speaking, many changes reflect
practical considerations and current practices.
The
following points were especially noteworthy:
Associate
membership
It was explained that Associate Membership is no longer needed
as the full membership procedure was adapted to take into consideration
the lower income members.
Secretariat
The Secretary General's responsibilities for the management of
the FEI Secretariat were clarified and Department Heads were formally
mentioned. A Management Board composed of the Secretary General,
the Sport Director and the Head of Finance Department was established
in order to facilitate the coordination of the Secretariat duties.
A
new Commercial Division will be established within the Secretariat
in response to the proposed Business Plan to handle the evolving
marketing needs of the FEI.
An
organisational chart would be produced to clarify the new structure.
Legal
structure
Chapter VIII concerning the Legal structure was significantly
remodelled to simplify procedures, to strengthen decision making
processes, and to encourage use of arbitration when resolving
disputes.
FINANCE
The Treasurer presented the provisional budget. The Bureau took
note that, due to the difficult world economic situation, the
budget might show a loss for 2003 and that cost reductions might
be necessary.
WEG
2002
The Bureau expressed its satisfaction at the success of the 2002
World Equestrian Games in Jerez (ESP). A report would be produced
for the OC of the 2006 WEG in Aachen (GER), based on the recommendations
of the Technical Delegates.
PAN
AMERICAN GAMES 2003
The Chairman of Group V made a presentation on the preparation
of the Pan-American Games to be held in August 2003 in Santo Domingo
(DOM). He encouraged the NFs of the region to participate in the
test event to be held early 2003.
OLYMPIC
GAMES 2004
The 1st Vice President Freddy Serpieri informed the Bureau on
the fast progress of the construction of the equestrian site of
the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
The Chairmen of the Jumping and Dressage Committee reported on
their favourable impression after their recent visit in Athens.
WEG
2006, AACHEN (GER)
The Bureau confirmed the appointment of a coordination commission
consisting of the Secretary General, Dr Bo Helander, the 1st Vice
President Freddy Serpieri, the Treasurer Guilherme Sarmento and
the Sports Director Michael Stone.
ALLOCATION
OF CHAMPIONSHIPS 2003
World-Young Riders
Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA) 27 September(change of location)
2004
World-Seniors
Driving/1, Flyinge (SWE), 4-8 August (change of date)
Europe-Young
Riders
Jumping, Vilamoura (POR) 29 July - 1 August
Dressage, Aahrus (DEN) 22-25 July
Eventing: decision postponed to next Executive Board. Candidates
are
Blarney Castle (IRL), Mata do Duque (POR) and Pratoni del Vivaro
(ITA)
Europe-Juniors
Jumping, Vilamoura (POR) 29 July - 1 August
Dressage, Aahrus (DEN) 22-25 July
Eventing: decision postponed to next Executive Board meeting.
Candidates are Mata do Duque (POR) and Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA).
Europe-Ponies
Jumping/Dressage/Eventing, Jaskowo (POL), 29 July-1 August
South
America Young Riders and Americas Juniors & Children Jumping,
Quito (ECU), first 2 weeks of September
North
America Young Riders Jumping, Dressage, Eventing: Open
South
America Seniors, Young Riders, Juniors and Children Dressage:
open
2005
Europe Seniors Jumping, San Patrignano (ITA) 22-24 July
Dressage:
postponed to next Executive Board Meeting in January 2003,
candidates are Aarhus (DEN), Saumur (FRA) and Moscow (RUS)
Eventing:
postponed to next Executive Board Meeting, candidates are Bonn-Rodderberg
(GER) and Blenheim (GBR)
GROUP
REPORTS
The Chairman of the Geographical Groups made presentations on
the activities in their respective regions. Specific recommendations
and issues will be dealt with by the concerned Committees.
EUROPEAN
UNION (EU) MATTERS
An independent report "Towards a European Policy Management"
was presented to the Bureau. The aim of the report was to achieve
a better understanding on EU institutions and decision-making
process. The Bureau endorsed the Executive Board's decision to
appoint a specialised advisor based in Brussels for EU matters.
The Bureau congratulated and thanked Honorary Vice President Count
Dieter Landsberg Velen who was stepping out as chairman of the
FEI EU Committee, which had been created by Group I and II four
years ago. The Committee would continue its work under the leadership
of Group I and II Chairmen and include members of the FEI
Secretariat.
JUMPING
Grand Prix Competitions
The Bureau approved that international events which do not have
a competition titled "Grand Prix" must run the competition
with the highest prize money according to the rules laid down
for the Grand Prix competitions (this does not apply to Derby,
Six Bar competitions or Puissance).
Only
one so called "Grand Prix" per event will be permitted
in order to prevent the importance of the title "Grand Prix"
from being diluted.
World
Cup
The new World Cup rules were approved. The main points are a return
to 38 riders in each competition, to be held on Sunday afternoon
and with clearly defined invitations criteria.
Super
League
Dates of Super League events will be protected.
Nations
Cup Rules
The rules as published in Bulletin 06/02 were formally approved
including the reintroduction of a jump-off with one rider per
team in case of equality of penalty for the first place.
Foreign
Judges at CSI 4 and 5 stars
The FEI will nominate the foreign judges for CSI 4 and 5 stars
as of 2004.
Pre-Junior
Championship for South America
A Pre-Junior Championship will be introduced for Group VI. It
will be limited to riders from 14 to 16 years with obstacles of
max. 1.30 m.
Veterinary
Commission at CSIO events for Young Riders and Juniors In order
to save costs, the Bureau accepted the Jumping Committee's recommendation
that a Veterinary Delegate be permitted to perform the work of
the Veterinary commission at CSIO for Young Riders and Juniors.
DRESSAGE
New tests
New tests for Children, Juniors, Young Riders were developed and
would be effective as of 1 January 2003.
The new Grand Prix Test 2003: two versions A and B will be available,
both of them less than 6 minutes long.
Level
of tests for Regional Championships and Games
As of 2003, the level will be raised and the following tests used
for South American Games, Central American and Caribbean Games,
Asian Games,
South East Asian Games, Balkan Championship:
. Prix St Georges
. Intermediate I
. Intermediate I Free Style
The
same will apply to the Pan American Games in 2003, to be raised
to Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle in
2007.
Minimum
score of 60% will be required for qualification at Young Riders
and Junior European Dressage Championship.
World
Cup
The new World Cup formula proposed by the Dressage Committee was
approved by the Bureau on a test basis for 2003. A total of 18
riders will compete; the 12 best riders after the Grand Prix will
go through to the Freestyle; the 6 other riders will compete in
a Grand Prix Freestyle Consolation competition.
Judging
evaluation
A self-evaluation system of the judging after main events and
championships was successfully started this year in Aachen.
Future
of Dressage
Dressage Committee presented a Memo on Dressage developed in cooperation
with riders, trainers and organisers to increase the interest
in the discipline. Many issues were analysed and a number of recommendations
issued such as:
. Promote Dressage on a global basis
. Shorter tests, more use of Kür to Music
. Clarify and communicate judges decisions
. More modern outfit
A
plan for the implementation of the recommendations will be developed
in cooperation with the Strategic Planning Committee.
EVENTING
The CIC World Cup had a very successful launch in 2002. The first
final will be held in Pau (FRA) on October 2003.
The
Bureau gave its full support to the new format of the Olympic
Eventing competition as recently proposed to the IOC.
The
Bureau endorsed the safety programme as set up for 2003 with the
continuation of studies on safety pins and cooperation with Transport
Research Laboratory (TRL) for statistics on cross country incidents.
The
concept of Eventing courses for officials as introduced in 2002
would be continued next year including training in show jumping.
DRIVING
World
Cup
The Rules for the Indoor World Cup for Four-in-Hand Driving for
the season 2002-2003 were approved.
Top
Driver Award
The Bureau agreed that date clashes for Four-in-Hand Top Driver
Award events should be avoided and that events with traditional
dates should be given preference.
The best four results per driver for the Four-in-Hand Top Driver
Award will count for 2003 overall classification.
Marathon
2003 CAI-A events that count as qualifiers for the 2003 World
Cup will be permitted to have only three marathon phases. Each
NF will be limited to a maximum of two such events. Other CAI-A
events in 2003 may have either three or five marathon phases,
and will also count for the Four-in-Hand Top Driver Award. 2003
CAIO events may have three or five marathon phases and 2003 Championships
must have five phases.
An
open forum will be held in 2003 to discuss the Committee's proposal
to introduce a three-phase marathon for all international events
including championships.
Central
European Challenge
The rules for the introduction of a Central European Challenged
were approved.
Promotion
to the status of Official International Judge
Mrs Diana Brownlie (GBR) was promoted to the status of Official
International Judge.
Official
International status for Course Designers
The Bureau approved the introduction of an Official International
status for Driving Course Designers and the promotion of the following
course designers to the status of Official International Course
Designer: Mr Arjan. Brinks (NED), Mr Wolfgang Astendorf (GER),
Mr Christian Iseli (AUT), Mr Richard Nicoll (USA).
Entries,
substitutions and clarifications
Modifications to the Jumping rules were accepted to clarify entries,
substitutions and declarations.
ENDURANCE
Qualification procedures and the general development of the sport
would be discussed at an Endurance Forum to be held in February
2003. Further to this Forum, proposal for a new qualification
system will be presented to 2003 General Assembly.
Mrs
Carol Bunting (GBR) was appointed as Co-ordinator of a programme
to improve the training of Technical Delegates (TD) so that a
separate category of officials could be established (currently,
any FEI Endurance official can act as a TD)
VAULTING
The Bureau took note of the Vaulting Committee's report. The Committee
is working on a proposal for a new formula with a Compulsory Free
Test to replace the Compulsory test in order to make the sport
more TV and spectator friendly.
Proposal
for rules changes were currently looked into to improve the performance
of team horses.
Mrs
Véronique Nicolas (FRA) was promoted to Official International
Judge Status.
CHILDREN
For 2003 the same course plans will be used for Category A and
B of the FEI Children's International Jumping competitions. There
will be a separate classification and the dimensions of obstacles
for category B will be lower than those of category A. These alterations
will save organisers much time and effort when holding both categories.
PONY
RIDERS
The new Chairman of the Pony Riders Committee, Ferdi-Jürgen
Wassermeyer (GER) was invited to attend the Bureau Meeting.
The
measurement of ponies was discussed at length. For the moment,
it was decided to maintain the present system, following the recommendation
of the Pony Committee.
DEVELOPMENT
The 1st Vice President reported on the continued growth of the
FEI development activities. In 2002 CHF 276'677 were spent compared
with CHF 155'969 in 2000.
VETERINARY
2008
Olympic Games in Beijing
Concern was raised as to the sanitary issues (the equine health
status of China is as yet not internationally approved), the veterinary
infrastructure (emergency facilities, the treatment platform and
official veterinarians) and the testing protocol. The FEI would
offer all assistance to the Organising Committee.
Medication
Control Programme (MCP)
In 2002, 1050 samples were taken in the MCP area of Europe among
which 35 tested positive. Among these 35 positive cases, 5 related
to valerian, an herbal tranquiliser on the list of Prohibited
substances. The Person Responsible using herbal remedies for his/her
horse shall be aware that these should not contain valerian.
Influenza
vaccination
The Veterinary Committee strongly recommended the influenza vaccination
every 6 months to comply with requirements to protect the horse.
A decision in this regard will be required by the 2003 General
Assembly.
ETHICS
A new code of conduct has been developed and would be presented
to the General Assembly for approval.
CALENDAR
The 2003 calendar was approved
MEMBERSHIP
Following NFs will change their status from Associate Members
to Full Members (Level 6):
. Granada (Group IV)
. Suriname (Group IV)
The Bureau wishes to express its gratitude to the Equestrian Federation
of Russia for their wonderful hospitality and the excellent organisation
of the meeting.
www.horsesport.org
.