Ridecamp: [RC] IntNewsGroup: FEI PRESS NEWS 32/02 FEI BUREAU MEETING

BUREAU MEETING SUMMARY

FEDERATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE
FEI PRESS NEWS 32/01

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.




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=