On behalf of the FEI and the FEI Preident, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, we would like to thank you for attending this Forum here in Paris.

As everyone is aware, it is felt that the sport of endurance is in need of a full review following its incredible growth and change over recent years.

The total number of FEI endurance events in 2006 (393) is 480% greater than the number in 2000.

With this rapid expansion the discipline has changed from being a sport enjoyed by amateurs at weekends to a sport where Breeders, Owners, Trainers and Riders earn their living.

Of course, there still remains many, many, riders who compete with a single horse which they own and have trained themselves. They continue to enjoy the fun and companionship they experience through endurance.

Our present discipline structure and rules have been updated over the years, but it is now time for an in depth review to produce a more modern and more wide ranging competition environment and the requisite rules to support it.

The recent trend to higher and higher speeds with a matching increase in the number of competition eliminations also warrants careful scrutuny in order to better protect our endurance horses in the future, and the image of our increasingly high profile sport.

This forum is just the start of the review process which is scheduled to last a year. During this review, everyone involved with the sport will have the opportunity to contribute.

Here in Paris, Regional Groups have been asked to make presentations highlighting what areas of the sport are considered to work well, what no longer meets what is required and what they would like to see in the future in their respective regions.

The individual working sessions of the FEI Judges, Technical Delegates and Veterinarians, during Saturday afternoon, will then debate those subjects raised by the regions using their recognised experience and knowledge to start the process of review.

Their comments and suggestions will then be presented to the General Forum on the Sunday morning to allow open debate thereafter by the delegates present.

Present throughout the forum will be accredited members of the press and accredited observers from a number of FEI National Federations and FEI Regions. In line with the FEI's stated wish for this review to be open and transparent those members of the press and observers, whilst not being able to raise issues within debate (this is available only to Official National Federation delegates), will be able to attend all sessions across both days.

The Review provides the discipline of Endurance with a unique and exciting opportunity to create a solid foundation upon which the sport can continue to grow in the years to come.

Best wishes,

Ian Williams - Director