The FEI Board has named the qualifiers for the 2022/2023 season of the FEI Driving World Cup™ and the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series during its teleconference meeting this week. The FEI postponed the allocation of the qualifiers of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/23 to its next teleconference on 20 January 2022.

The Board had previously confirmed that the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final 2023 will be held in Bordeaux (FRA) from 2 to 5 February 2023.

The Board confirmed the locations and dates for the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth 2022 and the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy 2022.

Three Championships were added to the 2022 calendar. The FEI World Championships for Young Horses will be held from 25 to 28 August in Szilvásvárad (HUN), and the FEI Jumping European Championship for Veterans in Darmstadt (GER) from 8 to 11 September. The FEI Jumping South American Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors and Children 2022 will be organised in Buenos Aires (ARG) from 17 to 23 October.

“The FEI Series and Championships are important to the growth and development of equestrian sport and it is encouraging to see a full calendar for next year,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.  

“It is particularly encouraging to see our Youth Jumping series go from strength to strength. We know that these series play such an important role in the development of our young Jumping athletes and give them invaluable exposure to the environment of top shows.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the FEI Event organisers, who, despite the cancellations and grave losses suffered in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, have shown great resilience and determination to continue hosting FEI events.”

The final allocations are as follows:

FEI Championships & Finals 2022
FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses, Szilvásvárad (HUN), 25-28 August
FEI Jumping South American Championship For Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors & Children, Buenos Aires (ARG) – 17-23 October
FEI Jumping European Championship for Veterans, Darmstadt (GER) – 8-11 September

Jumping
FEI Jumping Ponies Trophy 2022
Vilhelmsborg (DEN) - 19-23 October
Lyon (FRA) – 26-30 October
Stuttgart (GER) – 9-13 November
Salzburg (AUT) – 8-11 December
Final: Mechelen (BEL) – 26-30 December

FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth 2022
Opglabeek (BEL) – 7-10 April
Gorla Minore (ITA) – 13-17 April
Zduchovice (CZE) - 20-24 April
Fontainebleau (FRA) – 28 April – 1 May
Lamprechtshausen (AUT) – 5-8 May
Zuidwolde (NED) – 1-5 June
Hagen (GER) – 16-19 June
Zürich (SUI) – 25-28 August
Final: Kronenberg, NED – 22-25 September

Eventing
FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series 2022
Pratoni (ITA) – 11-15 May
Houghton Hall (GBR) – 26-29 May
Strzegom (POL) – 22-26 June
Avenches (SUI) – 7-10 July
Haras du Pin (FRA) – 11-14 August
Arville (BEL) – 18-21 August
Bromont (CAN) – 18-21 August
Moscow (RUS) – 8-11 September
Ballindenisk (IRL) – 21-25 September
Boekelo (NED) – 6-9 October

Driving
FEI Driving World Cup™ Series Season 2022/2023
Lyon (FRA) – 29-30 October 2022
Maastricht (NED) – 4-6 November 2022
Stuttgart (GER) – 9-13 November 2022
Stockholm (SWE) – 24-27 November 2022
Geneva (SUI) – 10-11 December 2022
London (GBR) – 15-17 December 2022
Mechelen (BEL) – 26-30 December 2022
Leipzig (GER) – 19-22 January 2023

Allocation of teams to Europe Division 1 events for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 series have been confirmed this week.

The 10 teams competing in Division 1 for the 2022 season includes freshly promoted Czech Republic – taking the place of Italy who have been relegated to the EEF Series – alongside defending champions the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden.

Each team can earn qualifying points at its allocated four of the six Europe Division 1 events. The seven best-ranked teams will qualify for the Final, which takes place in Barcelona (ESP) from 29 September to 2 October 2022. The Division 1 opening qualifier takes place in St Gallen (SUI) in June 2022.

The allocations table indicates the venues where eligible teams will be chasing FEI Nations Cup™ points, but the starting field at these events will not be restricted to those countries alone.  Other nations can also compete in legs of the series throughout the Europe Division 1 season.     

Further information on the Division 1 allocations can be viewed here.

The season calendar for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 series can be viewed here.

Photo caption: The Dutch team celebrate after their superb victory in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2021 at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain. (FEI/Lukasz Kowalski)

Two time Olympian and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Eventing Committee Chair, David O’Connor was presented with the General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award by the United States Olympic Endowment at their annual award ceremony this weekend, hosted in Colorado Springs (USA) at the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum.

The MacArthur award recognises those individuals whose commanding presence and endeavours have advanced the ideals of the Olympic Movement and whose commitment to relevance is reflected in a legacy of dedication to the service of others. David is one of four individuals, and the only equestrian to receive this award for his incredible contributions and commitment to equestrian sport.

As a competitor with three Olympic Medals, David won the individual gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Games with Custom Made, and was also a member of the bronze medal winning team with Giltedge. The pair were victorious at the 1996 Atlanta Games winning the team silver. David also partnered with Giltedge to win the team gold medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2002 in Jerez. Representing his country at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg (CAN), David took home the individual silver and team gold medals.

The 2000 Olympic eventing champion retired from international competition in 2004, serving as President of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for the next eight years. As the former International Technical Advisor to the Canadian national eventing team, he led the team to silver medals at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games™. David was inducted into the United States Eventing Association’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

Recently re-elected at the FEI General Assembly 2021 to serve a further four years as FEI Eventing Committee Chair, a position he has held since 2017, David has been an integral member of the FEI community and worn many hats since his original appointment to the Committee from 2004 to 2008.  He would go on to serve as FEI Group IV Chairman from 2008-2011, representing the interests of the North and Central American region on the FEI Board, and play an important role in the development of the FEI’s processes and policies to minimise risk factors in Eventing, as chairman of the FEI Eventing Risk Management Steering Group. Formed in 2016, the group focussed on coordinating risk management initiatives on a global basis, exploring and proposing ideas for the betterment of risk management.

“We congratulate David on receiving this prestigious award by the United States Olympic Endowment for recognition of his dedication, sporting prowess and leadership in equestrian sport” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“A true champion and horseman, both his Olympic performances led him to podium finishes winning team silver in Atlanta in 1996 and individual gold and team bronze at the Sydney 2000 Games. David is an invaluable asset and pillar in the equestrian community and beyond.

His tireless work with the FEI and focus on risk management has helped break down barriers and positively impact the sport, helping to drive the necessary changes for eventing that are in the best interests of the athlete, horse, and owner. There is no one more committed to the sport, or more deserving of this award and recognition”.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez has been unanimously re-elected President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO) for the four-year term 2021-2025.

Ibáñez was re-elected at the APSO General Assembly which took place prior to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly where Andrew Parsons (BRA) was himself re-elected IPC President for a second consecutive four-year term.

“It is a huge honour to continue in my role as APSO President and I would like to thank the APSO membership for their confidence in me,” Ibáñez said.

“As some Paralympic Sports begin the move to International Federations and other organisational structures, APSO and its members are well placed to provide these sports with the necessary expertise and experience to ensure a smooth transition process.   

“As the Paralympic Games in Tokyo have shown, Para Sport is growing in stature and has an important role to play in changing views and perceptions about disabilities in communities around the world. And APSO is committed to working with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to build a world where diversity and inclusion is the norm.”

Ibáñez was first elected APSO President in 2017, when the independent association was created to bring together the International Federations that govern 19 Paralympic sports included in the summer and winter Paralympic Games. The role of APSO is to unite, promote and support International Federations governing sports on the programmes of both Paralympic Games and to coordinate their common interests and goals.

Tom Dielen (World Archery), Colin Grahamslaw (World Curling Federation), Charmaine Hooper (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation) and Steve Loader (International Wheelchair Rugby Federation) were also elected to the APSO Executive Board.

The APSO Executive Board now includes representatives from three Olympic sports (one winter and two summer sports), one representative from an independent para sport and one from an International Organisation of Sport for the Disabled (IOSD).

A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ibáñez is also a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governance Review Group since 2018, Chair of the ASOIF Diversity and Gender Equality Consultative Group and a member of the IOC Gender Equality Working Group.

The FEI President has welcomed the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that equestrian sport will be proposed for inclusion in the Olympic programme for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

During the IOC Executive Board meeting yesterday, the initial list of twenty-eight sports to be recommended the LA28 Initial Sports Programme, which includes equestrian, was agreed and is now subject to final approval at the IOC Session in February 2022. Discussions also focussed on defining the process for finalising the disciplines in each sport offering early certainty to athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG).

Universality, integrity and fairness, gender equality and popularity were highlighted as key requirements of the evaluation criteria which will be used to determine the disciplines and events for the programme, in line with the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020+5. Athlete safety, environmental sustainability and keeping the sport relevant to youth were also reiterated as significant factors in the decision making process.  

“I am confident equestrian sport, a celebration of the unique bond between human and equine athletes, has its place in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games programme”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The recent endorsement from the IOC following the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games reflected on the positive changes the FEI made, highlighting our willingness to adapt and modernise our sport.

“We had more flags. Universality was one of the key requirements in Agenda 2020 alongside making the sport easier to understand and more exciting for a broader audience – criteria which remain fundamental going forward”.

The IOC also published figures this week which revealed the Tokyo 2020 Games reached a global broadcast audience of more than three billion people across linear TV and digital platforms. This significant and rapid growth in the change of the digital landscape, meant more fans were able to experience the Games, with greater accessibility to more content than ever before.

“The collective future of equestrian sport depends on our position in the Olympic movement” FEI President Ingmar De Vos continued.

“We need to guarantee global visibility of our sport in the media and digital platforms, and continue to showcase relevant content and entice new fans. We have this opportunity every four years and consolidating equestrian sport in the Olympic Movement is crucial for the FEI and for our community.”

“Another key focus for the FEI is Youth development. Keeping the youth engaged in equestrian sport and inspiring new generations to make the Olympic Games their goal. We have robust development programmes around the world targeting the next generation of athletes, but also fans and industry professionals, because equestrian sport is a way of life that is multifaceted and extremely diverse. How we engage with younger generations is vital in our pathway to the future”.

In 2017 when the IOC allocated the 2028 Olympic Games to Los Angeles during the IOC Session in Lima (PER), the FEI President welcomed this great opportunity that this candidate city could deliver the Games in a cost-effective way. The United States have a long and successful equestrian tradition, and has developed as a country with sustained equestrian excellence on an international stage. The equestrian venue in Los Angeles will have the stunning sports backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains and will offer a fantastic opportunity to showcase our sport.

The approval of the Initial Sports Programme will take place in February 2022 and the finalisation of the events and athlete quota will be confirmed in December 2024, following the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Spootnick Davril (FEI ID 104YN31/BEL), ridden by Raoul Ronsmans (FEI ID 10014170/BEL), tested positive for the Banned Substance O-desmethylvenlafaxine, following samples taken at the CEI2*70 + (2) Monpazier (FRA), on 27-29 August 2021.

The athlete explained that the positive test result probably came from the actions of his groom, who had urinated in the stall of the horse during the above mentioned Event, while taking anti-depressant medication containing the Banned Substance since several years.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and the athlete, according to which the athlete bears no fault or negligence for the Rule Violation and therefore shall not serve any period of ineligibility and the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility. The athlete will also not incur any fines.

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI and Belgian based equine nutrition brand Cavalor have extended their commercial agreement for a further five years, with digital activations playing a key role in the new partnership agreement.

The agreement with Cavalor, the FEI’s Official Nutrition Partner and Title Partner of the FEI Best Groom Award, was officially renewed at the recent FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Antwerp (BEL).

A world leader in equine nutrition for high-performance horses, Cavalor has helped thousands of horse owners and athletes achieve top level performance through proper nutrition and care.

“Cavalor is a valued FEI partner, and their continued commitment and support is testimony to the strength of our partnership,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The commercial landscape has changed considerably since we first entered into our agreement with Cavalor in 2019. In addition to ‘traditional’ channels of sponsorship, the FEI’s social media and digital platforms can now provide Cavalor with more opportunities for brand visibility, and deeper exposure to an engaged audience.

“Cavalor’s value goes well beyond just the products it provides, and we are looking forward to helping them find creative ways of taking their in-house expertise on equine nutrition to a more international audience. Cavalor will now have an opportunity to create targeted advertising campaigns and present educational videos on the FEI’s social channels, which we know are highly valued and appreciated by our knowledgeable online audience.”

Cavalor President Peter Bollen was in Antwerp at the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines to hand the Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award to Sweden’s Marie Johansson in recognition of her hard work looking after the horses ridden by Dressage athlete Patrik Kittel.

The award is given each year to grooms who work behind the scenes providing the best possible care for their equine athletes. Carmen Thiemann (GER), groom to Eventing legend Ingrid Klimke and the 2020 recipient of the award, was also present at the ceremony in Belgium.

“Cavalor’s products are based on years of intense research and development, the selection of the highest quality ingredients, as well as strict manufacturing and quality control processes,” Peter Bollen explained.

“Our partnership with the FEI reflects this attention that we give to quality and we are proud to work with an organisation that holds itself to same high standard as we do in terms of horsecare and wellbeing.

“The new terms of our agreement open up a whole host of possibilities in terms of audience engagement and we look forward to working with the FEI to bring these ideas to life.”

FEI President Ingmar De Vos and Cavalor President Peter Bollen at the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Antwerp (BEL) in November 2021. (c) Dirk Caremans/FEI

The number may be unlucky for some, but for the winners of the 13^th edition of the FEI Awards, tonight was definitely one to remember as the stars of equestrian sport were honoured in Antwerp (BEL).This year’s celebration also included the winners of the FEI Awards in 2020, which was celebrated virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Peder Fredricson (SWE) took the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award, adding to his already impressive trophy cabinet of Olympic and European Championship medals, as well as his number one spot on the Longines World Ranking that he took in October 2021 for the first time in his career.

Along with winning individual silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August, his outstanding performances helped Sweden to its first Team Jumping Olympic gold medal in almost 100 years. The medal marked 29 years since Peder Fredricson made his Olympic debut at the age of 20 at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, when he was an accomplished Eventer and the youngest-ever Olympic equestrian athlete for Sweden.

The now 49-year-old, who was unable to attend tonight’s gala dinner in person, thanked sponsor Peden Bloodstock’s Managing Director Martin Atock and everyone who voted for him in a video address.

“I’m really proud and grateful for the Peden Best Athlete Award. It means a lot to me, my team, and all my owners,” Fredricson said. “Thank you very much to the FEI, to Longines for the beautiful watch and also to Peden Bloodstock for supporting the Award. I would like to thank all the people who voted for me too. I’m also very excited to be number one in the Longines Rankings. It’s a goal I’ve had for a couple of years.

“I always try to do my best and improve myself, my team and the horses, rather than beat anyone else. We all work really hard to keep the horses fit and healthy, to achieve these goals and win many medals along the way. I’m also very grateful to my horse owners who stand by me and provide me this good string of horses. Thank you very much!”

The evening saw 19-year-old Greta Busacker (GER) take home this year’s Longines FEI Rising Star Award and an elegant timepiece from the FEI’s Top Partner, Longines.

Individual and team champion at this year’s FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders, and bronze medallist at the 2021 German National Championships for Young Riders, Greta Busacker is quickly making a name for herself in the sport. Her win made the FEI Awards a decidedly family affair, with her mother and Eventing legend Ingrid Klimke a recipient of the 2019 and 2020 Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Awards.

“I’m very pleased to receive the Longines FEI Rising Star Award. Words can’t describe how honoured I feel because there are so many young talented riders out there,” she said. “They work as hard I do and I get to stand here. This is for my whole team, my family, my friends. Without them I’d be nothing.”

She also paid tribute to her horse, the 10-year old Oldenburg gelding Scrabble, with whom she has been competing since 2019. “With Scrabble, I’ve learned to be patient. When I stand in the starting box and the countdown is on, I know that I can trust him one hundred percent. He has such courage and never gives up. Our connection is such a strong bond. Thank you Scrabble!”

Longines’ Vice President Marketing Matthieu Baumgartner was present in Antwerp to present the Longines FEI Rising Star Award created to recognise young athletes between the ages of 14 and 21 who demonstrate outstanding equestrian sporting talent.

“Young athletes like Greta are the future of equestrian sports and we are delighted and honoured to play a part in what we know will be a long and accomplished career,” he said.

“Longines presents an award which celebrates young talent, while telling their story of determination and passion for a sport. These young stars are the future of equestrian sports and we hope that they will continue to inspire budding equestrians around the world for many years to come.”

It was definitely Sweden’s night as Marie Johansson took the Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award, in recognition of her hard work and dedication in looking after Dressage athlete Patrik Kittel’s horses. Patrik and his wife Lyndal Oatley were on-hand to celebrate Marie Johansson’s win.

The award, presented by Cavalor Founder and Managing Director Peter Bollen, is given each year to grooms working behind the scenes to provide the best possible care for their equine athletes. The Longines’ Vice President Marketing presented an elegant timepiece to the winner for her outstanding achievement.

“This award means everything to me”, she said. “It’s amazing that we grooms can also be a part of this gala. I’m so happy about all the people who voted for me, it’s such a big thing. I’m super happy and super proud! Really!”

The 2021 FEI Solidarity Award went to China’s Equuleus Charity, which aims to support young, underprivileged students to reach their equestrian dream while successfully completing their academic studies.

Presented by FEI President Ingmar De Vos, Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee, the award is given each year to an equestrian development project or an individual or organisation that has demonstrated skill, dedication and energy in expanding equestrian sport.

“I would like to thank, first of all, the FEI and FEI Solidarity who really care about what people do,” Founder and CEO Michelle Wang Qiang said. “I would like to thank the Chinese Equestrian Association, who support colleges, students, and our charity and I would like to thank our partner foundations and also Alex Hua Tin and his mother Sarah Noble.”

To celebrate the FEI Awards and pay tribute to China’s time-honoured tradition of valuing and cherishing horses, Michelle Wang Qiang has written, in calligraphy, an iconic text on how to identify an exceptional horse by eighth century Tang Dynasty scholar, poet and government official Han Yu. She has dedicated her calligraphy work to the FEI Awards Ceremony.

Taking the FEI Against All Odds Award was Beatrice de Lavalette (USA), who lost both legs in the March 2016 terrorist attack at the Zaventem Airport in Brussels (BEL) and went on to make her first Paralympic debut in Tokyo earlier this year in the sport of Para Dressage.

The Award, which is given to someone who has pursued their equestrian ambitions despite a physical handicap or extremely difficult personal circumstances, was presented by FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez and President of the Belgian Paralympic Committee Anne d'Ieteren. To further recognise Beatrice de Lavalette’s accomplishment, the Longines’ Vice President Marketing rewarded the winner with a refined timepiece.

“The Against All Odds Award means everything”, Beatrice de Lavalette said. “The FEI stands for the highest standard of competition I can achieve, so being recognised by them is awesome and a true honour. It shows me that everything I have done these five or six years has been seen and people have realised how big it really is.”

“As a result of the attack, I lost a part of myself and my freedom. It took me a while to get through my sadness of losing my legs, losing my ability to walk, and waking up in a completely different life. Every time I get on a horse, I gain my freedom back. I get to ride a horse almost as everybody else. I get to ride a horse pretty damn well. I love doing it. Experimenting and doing different things with the horses gives a sense of power that I often lose being in a chair. So having that sense of freedom and that power back means everything.

This year’s winners were decided by combining 50% of the public votes cast on FEI.org and on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, and 50% of the judges’ votes.

More than 300 distinguished guests, including local sporting legends, National Federations, FEI partners and stakeholders attended the 13^th FEI Awards, with equestrian commentator Steven Wilde (GBR) acting as Master of Ceremonies. Also present in Antwerp were all of the 2020 Award winners from 2020 - Ingrid Klimke, Semmieke Rothenberger, Carmen Thiemann, Angelika Trabert, Ebony Horse Club and - who were invited to join in the celebration following the cancellation of last year’s ceremony due to the pandemic.

“This is the first time since 2019 that we have been able to celebrate the stars of our sport in person,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “The global pandemic and the EHV-1 outbreak have been very tough on our industry, and I am pleased that we had the opportunity to bring together the community to celebrate these achievements tonight.

“This edition of the FEI Awards is special for me, not just because it is being held in a city close to my home in Belgium, but also because it is the FEI’s Centennial year. These Awards, and the high calibre of nominees every year, continue to be a testament to the growth of our sport and gives us great hope for the future.”

Pictured (left to right): Longines FEI Rising Star Greta Busacker (GER), Cavalor FEI Best Groom Marie Johansson (SWE), Longines’ Vice President Marketing Matthieu Baumgartner, FEI Against All Odds Beatrice de Lavalette (USA), Founder and CEO Michelle Wang Qiang Equuleus Charity and winner of the FEI Solidarity Award. Photo credit: FEI/Dirk Caremans

 

 

 

The Olympic and Paralympic qualification systems for Paris 2024 were the key topics for discussion at the Rules and Regulations session today, with the FEI President calling on the community to work together to safeguard the future of equestrian sport in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

Opening the Session, President Ingmar De Vos provided an overview of the comprehensive consultation process on the Paris 2024 qualification systems, which is still ongoing, and the IOC timelines.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set a December 2021 deadline for all sports to submit their Qualification systems for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Due to the postponement of Tokyo 2020, the normal consultation process with the National Federations had to be shortened.

Approval of the Olympic formats will take place at the in-person IOC Executive Board at the beginning of February 2022. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will publish the approved qualification systems for all sports, including Para Dressage in early 2022.

The FEI President informed delegates that a comprehensive consultation process on the Olympic Regulations and Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) will begin after the FEI Hybrid General Assembly 2021. The process will include a dedicated session at the FEI Sports Forum in April, the normal consultation process on the documents produced by the Technical Committees and further discussion at the General Assembly 2022 Rules Session prior to voting.

The MERs, which will be reviewed, will be an important element of the Rules Revision. Para Dressage MERs are already included in the Qualification Systems as the qualification period starts on 1 January 2022.

Also under discussion will be field-of-play decisions, the allocation of regional qualifying events and redistribution of unused quota places. The FEI President underscored that the proposed formats with teams of three, if approved by the General Assembly, will only apply to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and not FEI Championships, Games or Finals.

When the President opened the meeting to points from the floor, the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) representatives presented a last-minute EEF proposal on alternative qualification pathways, based on both teams of four and teams of three.

The proposal called for more emphasis on World Championships and the FEI Nations Cup™ Series as qualification pathways across the three disciplines, rather than Regional Championships.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez raised concerns that the proposal does not meet the IOC’s Olympic Qualification system principles, which include providing more than one opportunity for athletes/teams to qualify, fair and equal opportunities to qualify which do not necessitate expensive or extensive travel, and ensuring continental representation.

FEI Regional Group VIII Chair Jack Huang (TPE) stated that lack of preparation in the lead-up to the Games due to lockdowns around the world during the global Covid-19 pandemic could explain some less than optimal performances, but this would be eliminated by strengthening of the MERs for Paris 2024.

United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Director of Sport Will Connell called for longer term thinking on the Olympic formats that goes beyond Paris 2024, to include Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032. “We need to play the long game,” he said.

The FEI President agreed that, as the Olympic Regulations for Paris 2024 would be included in the FEI Sport Forum next year, qualification systems and formats for Los Angeles 2028 should feature in the 2023 FEI Sports forum.

Delegates, both in-person and online, were given the opportunity to speak. Interventions from the floor came from the Russian Federation, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Eurasian Federation, South Africa, Pan-American Equestrian Confederation (PAEC), Denmark, France, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire. There were also comments received online from the Philippines, Botswana, Hong Kong and Sweden, with the latter three countries expressing their support for a continuation of teams of three at the Olympic Games.

The FEI President confirmed to delegates that there would be a preliminary vote on teams of three or four prior to a vote on the qualification system.

After the discussion on the Olympic Regulations, the Session then moved on to clarifications on the proposed modifications to the FEI Statutes, General and Internal Regulations, Discipline Rules and the FEI Veterinary Regulations. There was also an update on Biosecurity requirements at FEI Events and use of the FEI HorseApp.

All proposed Rules amendments will be voted on at the FEI Hybrid General Assembly on 17 November 2021 and updated on Inside.FEI.org here in due course.

The FEI Hybrid General Assembly commences at 09:00 CET and will be available to watch on livestream here.

 

Photo caption: Paris 2024 qualification systems dominated the Rules Session discussions at the FEI Hybrid General Assembly today. (Photo credit: FEI/Dirk Caremans)

 

Host cities for key Youth Championships and Finals have been finalised for 2022 and 2023, with allocations agreed by the FEI Board at its in person meeting as part of the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Antwerp (BEL) on Sunday.

Following the restart of the FEI Jumping Children’s Classics in 2021, the FEI Board awarded next year’s Final to Guadalajara (MEX). The Final will be held from 17-20 February 2022.

Le Mans (FRA) will host the FEI Jumping, Dressage and Eventing European Championships for Ponies from 27-30 July 2023.

The Board allocated the FEI Dressage European Championship for Juniors and Children to Kronberg (GER), 20-23 July 2023, and the FEI Driving World Championships For Ponies Four In Hand/Pairs/Singles to Oirschot (NED), 23-27 August or 30 August to 3 September 2023.

“It is such a pleasure to see the calendar for Youth Championships over the next few years taking shape,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Youth events are so important for the growth of our sport and an opportunity for the next generation of equestrian stars to build up the mental acuity, stamina and drive that will take them to the next stage of their sporting careers. That we have such experienced organisers coming forward to hold these events is a sign that the community is committed to the future growth and development of our sport.”

Youth development is a key focus of the FEI’s work. In addition to the events allocated today, in 2022 the equestrian community will also see the FEI Youth Equestrian Games in Aachen and the FEI Dressage European U25 Championship to Pilisjàszfallu (HUN).

Following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision to postpone the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2022 in Dakar (SEN) until 2026, the FEI sought IOC agreement for a replacement competition. The FEI Youth Equestrian Games Aachen 2022, which will be held from 28 June to 3 July 2022, will give young athletes aged 14-18 the opportunity to participate in a global competition based on the unique YOG format.

The FEI Youth Equestrian Games will see 30 athletes from 30 nations across six continents participating in a continental team competition and an individual competition.

“It was important for the FEI to find a replacement to the Youth Olympic Games as I did not want to deprive a whole youth generation of the Olympic dream, after all this is the event which launched the careers of equestrian stars of today, like Switzerland’s multi-medalled Swiss athlete Martin Fuchs,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.

“The youth are our future and we need to safeguard their development and find ways of keeping them engaged in equestrian sport so that new generations of athletes continue to be inspired to make the Olympic Games their goal.”

Based on the IOC YOG Programme, the FEI Youth Equestrian Games Aachen 2022 will also host a Culture and Education Programme (CEP). This will run alongside the sports fixtures and focuses on the five themes of Olympism, Social Responsibility, Skills Development, Expression & Well-Being, and Healthy Lifestyles.

A full wrap-up of today’s FEI Board meeting is available here. Images of the FEI Hybrid General Assembly can be found on the FEI Flickr account.

 

Photo Caption: FEI President Ingmar De Vos (center) addresses the FEI Board at its first meeting of the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Antwerp (BEL). Also pictured (from left) FEI Vice President Jack Huang (TPE), FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez (SUI), FEI Vice President Mark Samuel (CAN), FEI Athletes’ Committee Chair Maria Gretzer (SWE). (Photo credit: FEI/Dirk Caremans)