FEI: FIVE NATIONS APPLY TO HOST 2015 FEI EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDER NEW BID PROCESS

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 9 August 2011

Organisers from five nations – Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and Poland – have applied to stage a European championship for Seniors in one or several FEI disciplines in 2015 under a new bid process launched by the FEI in March of this year. The objective of the new bid process is to raise the profile of the FEI European Championships by selecting candidates able to deliver sporting events of the highest quality.

Aachen, host of the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games™ and the famous annual World Equestrian Festival, has expressed interest in the FEI European Championships 2015 in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Vaulting and Reining. The discipline which attracted the highest interest is Eventing, for which no less than five applications have been received. The complete list of applications is available in the attached table.

The bidding process for the 2015 FEI European Championships for Seniors was launched in March 2011 and will run until April 2012. The process consists of two phases. During Phase I, the Applicant Phase which ended on 31 July 2011, applicants were required to indicate which one or more of the European Championships they would be interested in staging and provide information relating to their ability to meet minimum Championship requirements.

Phase II, the Candidate Phase, will begin on 1 September 2011. During the Candidate Phase, candidates will be required to provide greater detail on all aspects of the event. The Championships in the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing will be allocated by the FEI Bureau in April 2012. The successful candidates for the Championships in the Non Olympic disciplines will be announced a year later in April 2013.

Enquiries relating to the bid process should be directed to FEI Legal Counsel Francisco P. Lima (francisco.lima@fei.org).

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FEI: FEI MARKS 250 YEARS OF VETERINARY PROFESSION AT WEVA CONGRESS 2011

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 9 August 2011


The FEI will be running a special session during the 2011 World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) Conference in Hyderabad, India on 2 November 2011 to mark World Veterinary Year.

2011 has been designated World Veterinary Year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first veterinary school in Lyons (FRA) and the birth of the modern veterinary profession.

The FEI session at the WEVA Conference will highlight the past and current contribution of the veterinary profession to equestrian sport with lectures by eminent speakers in a variety of clinical disciplines.

“FEI regulated competitions are the pinnacle of international equestrian sport,” WEVA President Dr Tim Greet (UK) said.

“We are delighted that the FEI has chosen the 2011 WEVA Conference to celebrate the very long partnership between equestrian sport and veterinary surgeons. The entire WEVA Conference promises to be a very exciting event, and offers our delegates a great opportunity to visit India as well.”

FEI First Vice President and Veterinary Committee Chair John McEwen commented: “It is wonderful to be celebrating 250 years of veterinary surgery in the same year as the FEI marks its 90th anniversary.

“Equestrian sport is enjoying a massive increase in popularity across the Asian continent and it is appropriate that we should mark these two anniversaries by joining forces with WEVA at its biennial Conference in Hyderabad.”

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Endurance: AUSTRALASIAN ENDURANCE FORUM ATTRACTS MULTI-NATIONAL ATTENDANCE

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 8 June 2011

Over 150 delegates representing nine different nationalities are attending the Australasian FEI Endurance Conference and Forum, which began in Brisbane (AUS) today.

Delegates from Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, the UAE and the USA are taking part in three days of lectures and discussion sessions across a wide range of topics relating to international Endurance.

This is the first time the world forum has been held outside Europe and guest speakers have travelled from Canada, America, the UAE, Malaysia and Switzerland, and from across Australia.

The members of the FEI Endurance Technical Committee who are in attendance will also meet during the Forum and attend the Australian Endurance Festival taking place this weekend featuring FEI competitions at 1*, 2* and 3* level.

The conference organisers state that the primary goal of the three-day meeting is to achieve the aspirations of the FEI Code of Conduct, which states “The FEI urges all involved with the sport to attain the highest levels of education in their areas of expertise.”

As well as a debate on the future of international competitions in Africa, Asia and Australia, the conference will also discuss:

•    implementation of the new rules and implications of the new star rating for treatment veterinarians
•    improving the understanding of the roles of officials
•    changes to the Veterinary Regulations with regard to medication control
•    examination of horses during competition especially metabolics and lameness
•    issues relating to the treatment of horses at endurance rides
•    improved nutrition and training methods for endurance horses and issues related to rider safety

“This conference and forum has given representatives from the regional nations a unique opportunity to meet together and exchange views with other nations from both within the region but also from much further afield”, FEI Director of Non-Olympic Sports Ian Williams said.

Further information on the conference, including a full list of speakers, plus details of the Endurance Festival can be found here.

FYI:

Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982. It is now the fastest growing of all the FEI disciplines and is second only to Jumping in competitor numbers.

In 2010 alone there were 799 CEIs (Concours d’Endurance International), with 706 taking place in 2009 and 467 in 2008.

CEIs are divided into four different star levels as follows:

1*: All rides are between 80 - 119 km in one day
2*: All rides are between 120 - 139 km in one day or 70 - 89 km over two days
3*: All rides are between 140 - 160 km in one day, or 90-100 km over two days, or 70-80 km over 3 days or more.
4*: Senior Championships of a minimum of 160 km in one day; Junior and Young Rider Championships of a minimum of 120 km and maximum of 130 km in one day.

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Eventing: Adelaide: FEI WELCOMES ADELAIDE TO HSBC FEI CLASSICS™ 2012 SEASON

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 15 April 2011

The FEI is delighted to welcome the Australian International 3 Day Event to the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season.

The Adelaide-based event, which in 2002 became the first CCI 4* in the southern hemisphere, will host the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season against the stunning city centre backdrop of Adelaide Park Lands on 18-20 November 2011. 

“The Australian International 3 Day Event is the country’s premier equestrian competition and one of only six 4* events held around the world,” explained Event Director and dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton (AUS). “For the last 10 years, Adelaide has been the chosen host city of this hallmark equestrian event. We are now extremely proud to take our place in the HSBC FEI Classics™2012 season and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and competitors to an action-packed event in our unique City of Adelaide Parkland setting.” 

The Adelaide Cross-Country phase on Saturday 19 November will see competitors tackling a demanding course designed by Wayne Copping (AUS). It will start in front of the Heritage Grandstand in Victoria Park, cross two dual carriageways closed for the event, wind through Rymill Park featuring water jumps regarded as some of the most challenging in international Eventing and culminate back in Victoria Park on the Heritage Oval.

HSBC has supported the HSBC FEI Classics™ series since 2008 and will be contributing US$1 million in prize money over the next three years, which represents the biggest prize fund on offer in Eventing on an annual basis.

At the end of the 2012 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected among the six HSBC FEI Classics™ events will be awarded their share of a total prize pot of US$333,000.

Photo caption: Wendy Schaeffer on Koyuna Sun Shine - winner of the 2010 Australia International 3 Day Event 2010 © Jim Hillman InMotion Photography

“The inclusion of this event in the HSBC FEI Classics™ is testament to how successful the series has been and shows how this sport continues to grow globally. We are delighted to welcome Adelaide as part of the prestigious series and look forward to seeing the competition evolve,” said Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship.

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 calendar
The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season will begin at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) on 12-16 October 2011.

This is also the location for the final leg of the 2011 season.  

Competitors therefore have the unique opportunity to secure points for both the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 and 2012 seasons by competing at Les Etoiles de Pau.

1.    Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 12-16 October 2011
2.    Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) - 18-20 November 2011
3.    Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) -  26-29 April 2012
4.    Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 4-7 May 2012
5.    Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER) - 14-17 June 2012
6.    The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 30 August-2 September 2012

Notes to editor:

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 Calendar:

1. Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 22-25 April
2. Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) - 28 April-1 May
3. Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER) - 16-19 June
4. The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 1-4 September
5. Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 12-16 October

At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected among the HSBC FEI Classics™ events will be awarded their share of a total prize fund of US$333,000, split as follows:

1st - US$150,000 (Series Champion)
2nd - US$75,000
3rd - US$50,000
4th - US$33,000
5th - US$25,000

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FEI/USEF News: FEI Updates Prohibited Substance List for Horses Competing in FEI Disciplines

From the USEF Communications Department
Lexington, KY - Approved at the FEI General Assembly in Taipei last November, the 2011 FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List for horses competing in FEI classes became effective April 4, 2011.  It is important for all who compete  in the FEI disciplines  to become  familiar with the parameters laid out by the FEI Clean Sport Initiative.

FEI: FEI PRESIDENT PRINCESS HAYA OFFERS PRAISE FOR DEPARTING FEI CEO

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 5 April 2011


FEI President HRH Princess Haya today announced with regret the resignation of FEI Secretary General and CEO Alex McLin, praising him for bringing new professionalism to the organisation.

“I am truly indebted to Alex for his hard work and dedication over the last three years. He brought the FEI into the modern era and made it much more professional,” she said. “I will miss his sound counsel, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Jumping: FEI: IN MEMORIAM: DEBBY WINKLER (USA/GER)

Debby Winkler riding Sakrus © Julia Rau

Debby Winkler (née Malloy), wife of German Jumping legend Hans Günter Winkler, has passed away following a tragic riding accident. Mrs Winkler was seriously injured in a fall at the end of a training session on 18 February and was rushed to the University Clinic in Münster in critical condition. Sadly her injuries were too severe and, despite the best possible medical care, she died on 21 February. She was 51 years of age.

American-born Debby Malloy married five-times Olympic champion Hans Günter Winkler in 1994, having trained with him in Warendorf since 1986. Debby Winkler was successful in many Jumping events, her greatest achievement being a second place finish in the Frankfurt Grand Prix in 1998 with Sakrus HG.

Debby Winkler was a close personal friend to FEI President HRH Princess Haya, who said, "There is a comfort in knowing that horsemen and women who move on from our world, straight from the saddle, have done so on the terms they would have wished for. And yet I cannot find the words to justly pay tribute to Debby. She was so quiet in her ways, so kind and accepting, so humble and gentle that one would have thought she would live forever.

Many of us get into this sport in pursuit of personal greatness and sporting ambition. The race of people like Debby who get into it, and stay with it, for the love of the horse in its absolute purist form, are rare. Rarer still are the ones who strive to conquer the philosophy of the sport and the art form. That was Debby. In her, horse sport has lost one of the greatest human beings and horsewomen it ever had.

My heart goes out to Debby’s beloved husband, and to the Malloy family, for a wife and a daughter who quietly touched so many people in the most profound way, with eternal elegance and dignity. Rest in peace, Debby. We know, beyond all doubt, that every horse in heaven is waiting for you."

The FEI offers sincere condolences to Mrs Winkler’s family, to the German equestrian community, and in particular to her husband Hans Günter Winkler, the only Jumping rider to win seven Olympic medals, and the only equestrian athlete in any discipline to win medals in six editions of the Olympic Games.

The memorial service for Debby Winkler will be held on Tuesday 1 March, at 2pm at the German Olympic Equestrian Committee (DOKR) in Warendorf (GER). Media representatives wishing to attend are requested to register by 2pm on Monday 28 February using this form.

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FEI News: Sven Holmberg Speaks about his resignation as FEI Bureau Chief.

Please feel free to translate the initial Sven Holmberg's statement using the translation widget to the right...

Sven Holmberg avgår från FEI

(2011-02-10 18:00)

Sven Holmberg. FOTO: Robert Solin

 

I dag slutade Sven Holmberg som ledamot i FEI:s styrelse och som ordförande för FEI:s hoppkommitté.
Anledningen är att FEI-styret kör över hoppkommittén i olika tekniska frågor.
Amerikanen John Madden tar över posten som ordförande i hoppkommittén.

Pressmeddelande från Sven Holmberg:
Today I have resigned as Chairman of the Jumping Committee and as Bureau member of the FEI.

My reasons go back more than a year; I did not agree with decisions that were being taken and in many of these cases I openly voiced a different opinion.  Some of the decisions were in fact altered, but after lengthy and very expensive procedures.

More recently the recommendations and advice of the Jumping Committee have been disregarded or dealt with in such a way as to convince me that, for whatever reason or reasons, the Jumping Committee is not respected as the technical advisor on the discipline of jumping.

My heart, my knowledge and my passion are, and have always been, with the sport and I have been seeking to make it grow and develop both at the very top level and also at lower levels outside the core area.  All who know me also know that my dedication is not limited to jumping only but includes all aspects of equestrian sport.

The politics and the power games currently played in the FEI, which unfortunately expanded last year, will not benefit the development of our sport.  I find that in some aspects my integrity is being questioned.  I no longer find it meaningful, or useful, to participate in the politics as a Bureau member.

My passion for the sport, my experience and my know-how will always be there and I will be continuing in my other roles.

Pressmeddelande från FEI:
Sven Holmberg, FEI Bureau Member and Chair of the Jumping Committee, has resigned from both positions with immediate effect.

Mr Holmberg, who became an FEI Bureau Member when he was elected as Chair of the Jumping Committee in 2005, became FEI First Vice-President the following year. He was re-elected as Chair of the Jumping Committee at the 2009 FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen (DEN) and was one of the three candidates that stood for the FEI Presidency last year, when HRH Princess Haya was re-elected to the post for a second and final four-year term.

“Sven has dedicated an enormous amount of time to the FEI in a number of different roles over the past six years and I would like to thank him sincerely for his devotion to horse sport and particularly to Jumping”, FEI President HRH Princess Haya commented. “His deep knowledge and understanding of the sport have benefitted the FEI enormously. I wish him well for the future.”

John Madden (USA), Deputy Chair of the Jumping Committee, takes over as Acting Chair with immediate effect. The position will be filled on a permanent basis at the General Assembly in November.

“I have spoken to John Madden today and look forward to working closely with him”, Princess Haya said. “He is a well respected member of the equestrian community and is well placed to lead the sport of Jumping going forward.”

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Eventing: HSBC AGREES FURTHER THREE-YEAR TERM FOR FEI CLASSICS

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 18 February 2011

HSBC has agreed a further three-year term as global sponsor of FEI Eventing to include title sponsorships of the HSBC FEI Classics™ until the end of 2013 and the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships™ in both 2011 and 2013.

FEI: FEI BUREAU MEMBER SVEN HOLMBERG RESIGNS

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 10 February 2011


Sven Holmberg, FEI Bureau Member and Chair of the Jumping Committee, has resigned from both positions with immediate effect.