Jumping
A detailed report on the activities of the FEI Jumping Committee was presented. It dealt with, among other things:
Rules Revision
The revised Rules for Jumping Events – 23 edition, effective 1 January 2009 – were approved.
Stewarding
The system is being restructured for all FEI disciplines. The CVs for all stewards on the FEI list have been requested from NFs. All stewards in each discipline with no or very little equestrian experience will have their names removed from the FEI list.
Specific guidelines relating to the introduction of Regional Stewards Generals in each discipline, reporting system and education of stewards were approved by the FEI Bureau on the occasion of its meeting in April 2008.
Thermography
In Jumping a number of international events were selected at which testing for hypersensitization of limbs was carried out. The FEI is training independent veterinarians to carry out the procedure and will have a panel of specialists qualified to function at CSIs.
“Code of Ethics” for Horse Dealers: An initiative has been taken to establish a “Code of Ethics” for horse dealers.
Other items, such as modifications to the Rolex Rankings, to the rules for the 2009 FEI European Jumping Championship, and to the rules for the FEI Word CupTM Jumping were also reported. Details were released in the news that followed the FEI Bureau meeting on 17 November 2008.
EVENTING
A detailed report on the activities of the FEI Eventing Committee was presented. The great success of every aspect of the Eventing competition at the 2008 Olympic Games was acknowledged.
Eventing Safety Programme
The Safety Program is based on one objective: reduction of the number of horse falls. The structure of the program includes:
Monitoring of the sport - Data gathering
The FEI safety database has been integrated in the FEI IT structure which will allow for a more flexible and practical approach. The introduction of a National Safety Officer for all NFs involved in Eventing is being monitored; this Officer will act as a liaison between the FEI and NFs in regard to falls or riders. A watch system of riders with dangerous riding and falls is being developed for 2009.
Research: cross country fences safety devices/ rider protection
The introduction of deformable structure/frangible technology at all events as of 1 January 2009 was approved. The situation will be reviewed at the end of 2009 and, if necessary, technology will be adjusted.
Training and Education
The Education of Officials is currently being reviewed to ensure greater knowledge on safety. Education systems for riders and trainers for Cross Country are being developed.
Education of Officials
The Eventing Committee is working on an integrated education system to apply to all disciplines taking into account the specificities of each one of them. The system will include an ongoing evaluation and external verification of procedures. A Course Director programme will also be developed.
Development
The FEI Eventing Committee is actively working on development schemes in Eastern Europe and South America in view of the 2011 Pan American Games.
Rules Revision
The revised Rules for Eventing – 23 edition, effective 1 January 2008 (with one adjustment further to discussions with the FEI Regional Groups in Buenos Aires in regard to qualification results of horses and riders) – were approved.
DRIVING
A report on the activities of the Driving Committee was presented.
The revision of the Rules for Driving Events – 10th edition, effective 1 January 2009 – was adopted. It was an extensive one and is the result of a great deal of input from various stakeholders.
ENDURANCE
Rules
The revision of the Rules for Endurance – 7th edition, effective 1 January 2009 – was adopted. They are the result of a major review which began in January 2007. In fact, it was the largest and most in-depth consultation process ever undertaken in this discipline. It was done by a Task Force in cooperation with the National Federations involved in the sport. The new rules are largely based on the concern for the welfare of the horse. The major topics to be noted are the categories of endurance events; rest periods (as amended following a revote by the General Assembly following a failure to approve the original timings); and progress from one level to the next. Another significant improvement is the introduction of a pre-FEI national system (Novice Qualifying) for riders and horses, though not necessarily as a combination. All horses and riders must have successfully completed Novice Qualifying to be eligible for CEI Star Qualifying. To progress from one FEI star level to the next, riders and horses must have graduated from the qualifying process. The full text of the rules is available here.
Education Programme
This Education Programme, for which sponsorship has been secured for the next two years from Hydra Properties, will work on the revision and formatting of all of the Courses for Endurance Judges (Levels I and II), Technical Delegates and Stewards to reflect the new rules.
VAULTING
A detailed report on the activities of the FEI Vaulting Committee was presented. It dealt with, among other things:
Rules Revision
The revised Rules for Vaulting Events – 7th edition, effective 1 January 2008 – were approved with a clarification concerning the Team Juniors, which remain unchanged at under 16. The rule change was an enormous task; the Guidelines for Vaulting Judges were also revised in their entirety. The additions and subtractions made to both were made bearing in mind key objectives, such as to professionalizing the sport, providing for the education of officials, and developing the sport in a sustainable and realistic manner.
REINING
A detailed report on the activities of the FEI Reining Committee was presented.
Rules Revision
The revised Rules for Reing Events – 3rd edition, effective 1 January 2009 – were approved. A new competition format with a second qualifying competition for the FEI World Equestrian Games has been decided upon.
ATHLETES COMMITTEE
The General Assembly accepted the modifications to the FEI Statutes in order to allow members of the Athletes Committee only, to sit on more than one Committee. This modification would in the future enable Athlete Committee members to sit on their respective discipline committee - the link thereby being made by one individual.
The General Assembly approved another change to the Statutes which now allows the Chair of the Athletes Committee to vote on the FEI Bureau.
Elections and Appointments
Elections by the General Assembly
Chairs of Technical Committees
Endurance: Ruth Carlson (CAN), 2008-2012
Audit and Compliance: Philip Bilington (GBR), 2008-2012
Chairs of Regional Groups
Group IV: David O’Connor (USA), 2008-2012
Group VIII: Douk-Kee Ahn (KOR), 2008-2012
Group IX: Mary Binks (KEN), 2008-2012
Members of the Audit and Compliance Committee
Atila Costa (ARG), 2008-2012
Brian Mangan (IRL), 2008-2012
Appointments by the Bureau
Chairman of the Para-Equestrian Technical Committee: Ulf WILKEN (SWE), 2008-2012
Members of the Technical Committees:
Jumping Committee
Jean-Maurice BONNEAU (FRA), 2008-2012
Otto BECKER (GER), 2008-2012
Eventing Committee
Clayton FREDERICKS (AUS), 2008-2012
Pierre MICHELET (FRA), 2008-2012
Driving Committee
Karoly FUGLI (HUN), 2008-2012
Endurance Committee
Elizabeth VAN SCHELLE (BRA), 2008-2012
Dr Brian SHEAHAN (AUS), 2008-2012
Vaulting Committee
Pricilla BOTTON (BRA), 2008-2012
Para Equestrian
Hanneke GERRITSEN (NED), 2008-2012
Jane M. GOLDSMITH (GBR), 2008-2012
DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
The National Federation of the Dominican Republic has been disaffiliated because it is no longer in compliance with IOC requirements. On the request of the IOC and NOC, a transitional structure was provisionally affiliated under control of the FEI to implement the FEI transitional plan.
The International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has approached FEI to establish an ad-hoc group for dealing with equine diseases and horse movements. The group will consist of experts who have extensive experience in the various aspects of horse transport and disease control.
FEI/USEF Joint Development Plan for Eventing: the USEF has contributed USD 150,000 into a development fund for use within Groups IV, V, and VI. The objective of the programme is to help grow Eventing in Group V by combining the participation of North American riders and coaches. FEI will contribute CHF 50.000 towards the programme.
Source: FEI Press News
