USEF Network

News from the International Equestrian Federation

RELEASE: July 5, 2007
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Malina Gueorguiev

FEI Executive Board Meets in Lausanne
The FEI Executive Board and FEI management discussed the following items during the meeting held in Lausanne, Switzerland, on June 26-27, 2007:
1) Pan American Games in Rio (BRA) - July 2007
2) Test event in Hong Kong (HKG) - August 2007
3) Establishment of an FEI Operations Manual
4) Latest developments regarding IT projects
5) General Assembly format proposals

On behalf of the Bureau, the Executive Board confirmed the dates of the 2008 General Assembly in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as November 17-22, 2008.

Decisions of the FEI Bureau
The FEI Bureau has approved the following items:

Allocations - Championships/FEI Events in 2008:
FEI World Cup&trad; Dressage Final - s'Hertogenbosh, The Netherlands
FEI European Young Riders Eventing Championship – Kreuth, Germany - September 25-28, 2008
FEI North American Jumping/Dressage/Eventing/Reining Young Riders & Juniors Championship - Colorado Park (USA) – July 29-August 3, 2008

The modifications to the rules for the 2007/2008 season of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping and the FEI World Cup™ Dressage were also approved.

Sven Holmberg Resigns as Ground Jury President at the 2007 FEI European Jumping Championship
Given his position as the first FEI Vice President, Sven Holmberg expressed to the FEI Executive Board his wish to resign as president of the ground jury at the 2007 FEI European Championship to be held in Mannheim from August 14-19. The Executive Board accepted Holmberg’s resignation and requested that a new president of the ground jury be appointed by the FEI Jumping Department. Sven Holmberg will be present at the championship; he will officially represent the FEI during the days the FEI president is not there.

'Formula 1' Finish Receives Warm Approval
The vetgate at CEI*** under the churches of Assisi Alice Proust at the CEI*** 120-km event held last weekend, on the outskirts of the world famous Italian city of Assisi, the proposed 'Formula 1' finish was tested to much approval.

This test is the third in a series of trial events being undertaken as part of the Endurance Review, which is being conducted during 2007 and early 2008.

The first trial involved a scientific study of endurance horses competing in Dubai in February this year. The second trial, held in Portugal in the spring, tested the use of four vet gates (rather than five) over a 160-km course to ensure riders took more responsibility for the care of their horses rather than relying of the Veterinary Officials.

Last weekend's trial involved the closing of the out gates onto the course loops one hour after the arrival of the first horse to cross the finish line. Any horse stopped by the use of the 'Formula 1' finish at a vet gate was still required to complete all vet examinations and, in doing so, meet all of the parameters to continue even though not being required to do so.

All of the horses effected by the closure of the course were supportive of the trial and felt that it was in line with the need to protect the horse in endurance competition.

Whilst the riders were confident in their horse's ability to go on and complete the full distance despite the unusual hot temperatures experienced on the day, they felt that the closing of the course and the ability to still be placed in the overall standings was good for the sport.

Ian Williams, FEI Director of Endurance, who was present at the event, commented, "Those involved in the trial were very positive with the outcome. We will now pass the findings on to the FEI Endurance Task Force, who will consider the possibilities further. We will need to also further trial this style of finish over 160 km to gain a full picture of its effect."

The organizers had worked hard to attract the general public to this showcase event. Fashion shows, an open air