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FEI
GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ARGENTINA
UAE plays key role in getting Endurance rule amended |
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The UAE delegation successfully spearheaded a revote on the
rest period for endurance horses between competitions in the
revision of Rules for Endurance which have been ratified by
the FEI's General Assembly and will be introduced from January
2009.
The FEI's General Assembly was held at the Sociedad Rural in
Buenos Aires, Argentina between November 17 to 21, 2008 and
some new endurance rule changes were adopted following
suggestions from a Task Force in co-operation with the
National Federations. Eighty-three National Federations
gathered in that town for the Assembly.
Her Excellency Princess Haya bint Hussein, FEI President and
wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,
attended the meeting and presented awards to winners in
competitions on the concluding day.
The UAE and other endurance countries in the region were not
in favour of the proposed increase in the rest period for
competition horses from 27 days to 41 days for events between
120-km to 160 km.
The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation was represented at
this historic meeting by the Secretary General Taleb Dhaher Al
Muhairi. He was accompanied by Mr. Vijay Moorthy, Head of the
Endurance Department and Dr. Hallvard Sommerseth, Head of the
Veterinary Department at the Federation. Also attending the
meeting was Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, General Manager, Dubai
Equestrian Club. |
The UAE, which is part of the Group VII, first raised its
objection at the group meeting and placed it before the
Bureau. But Ian Williams, Director for non-Olympic equestrian
sport said it was too late and it should have been suggested
earlier. But the UAE along with other countries in the region
and in Asia argued their case saying that the recent World
Endurance Championship had kept the National Federations of
endurance nations busy.
Williams suggested that the rules regarding rest periods be
adopted from 2010 but in the General Assembly, the number of
red cards raised (vote against) ensured the changes were
included and the UAE which is one of the leading endurance
nations got the rest periods to 20 days instead of 47 days.
The guiding principle behind the UAE's insistence for shorter
rest periods is the short endurance season in the UAE and the
region due to the climate whereas in other parts of the world
rides can be held almost through the year. Further the UAE'
has proved that despite the high speeds registered by their
horses, the welfare has never been compromised and this to a
large extent tilted the argument in their favour.
The rest periods as amended following a revote by the General
Assembly after a failure to approve the original timings is as
follows: 0- 80 km 13 days rest and 81 km and above 20 days
rest.
Another significant development at the Assembly was the
introduction of a pre-FEI national system (Novice Qualifying)
for riders and horses, though not necessarily as a
combination. It has been decided that all horses and riders
must have successfully completed Novice Qualifying to be
eligible for CEI Star Qualifying. This in effect means a
progress from one FEI star level to the next, riders and
horses must have graduated from the qualifying process.
The amendments in rules were the result of a major review
which began in January 2007. The review 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.
All the equestrian disciplines coming under the umbrella of
the FEI were discussed and several major decisions were taken.
The topics apart from endurance, included show jumping,
eventing, driving, vaulting, reining, dressage and other
administrative related issues apart from electing new
office-bearers to several committees.
It was decided that the FEI Education Programme, for which
sponsorship has been secured for the next two years from the
UAE-based realtors 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.
Two new members, Elizabeth Van Schelle from Brazil and Dr
Brian Sheahan from Australia, were appointed to the Endurance
Committee for a period of four years from 2008-2012.
The FEI, also announced the creation of a commission on
medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman
of the IOC Medical Commission and Vice President of the World
Anti-Doping Agency, WADA.
The FEI stated that the Commission will offer a robust
examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can be
further harmonized to WADA norms in order to ensure that horse
welfare remains at the heart of the system and is fully
protected. The commission represents a united effort by all
concerned athletes, National Federations, veterinarians and
representatives of the judicial process to overcome the grey
areas that lie between therapeutic medication and doping and
to simplify and distinguish for equestrian athletes the
practices that are acceptable from those that are not.
The FEI further stated that the commission will also seek to
clarify all due processes and procedures relating to the
analysis of samples in order to lead to a consensus on a
simple definition that gives the IOC, WADA and all
stakeholders a clear and unequivocal definition of parallel
protocols to those used for human athletes in a code that is
agreed by all members of the family who seek Clean Sport. “We
are honoured to have the support and guidance of the IOC in
our ongoing commitment to a clean sport for current and future
equestrian athletes,” said Cayetano Martinez de Irujo, the
jumping representative on the FEI Athletes’ Committee. The FEI
is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code.
The Chairman of the Veterinary Committee presented a detailed
report on the Committee's activities. The Olympic Games 2008
Hong Kong were recognised as a great success and it was felt
very importantly they have left a legacy from the work done on
the welfare of competition horses in hot and humid climates.
The FEI climate monitoring project at the test event produced
critical information. Special thanks were offered to the
Olympic Games Organising Committee and especially to the
veterinary surgeons who gave up much of their time to
contribute.
Some of the other veterinary points discussed are as follows:
•2007 Medication Control Report: Testing increased. The number
of positives tests showed a decrease since 2004 from 4% to 1%
in 2007; the rate has been running at 0.7% in 2008.
•Capsaicin may have legitimate as well as illegitimate usage,
but it will be considered in future, if it is detected in
medication control samples, to be a doping offence due to its
possible usage in abuse.
•A Horse Movement Group was created and has been recognised as
essential for the development of the sport. Its objectives
are, among others, the facilitation in testing and
certification protocol; and increased acceptance of a model
Health Certificate. The Group will also work on strategy for
Emerging Diseases which is a priority with the changing
climates and global competition.
The allocation period for the FEI World CupTM Jumping Final
was modified from two to three years by a decision of the FEI
Bureau. Given that there are already three strong bidders for
the organisation of the 2013 event: Gothenburg (SWE), xxx
(FRA) and xxx (USA), it is anticipated that a decision on the
allocation of 2013 will be taken by the FEI Bureau in the
spring of 2009.
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