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Equestrian Canada has named FEI Vice President Mark Samuel the recipient of the 2019 Gold Medal Award, the highest and most prestigious of the governing body’s national honours.
The award is only given when the Equestrian Canada President and Executive believe a recipient has exceeded expectations in providing long and exceptional service to the organisation as a builder of the sport both nationally and internationally.
“I am honoured and humbled to receive this prestigious award and I wish to thank Equestrian Canada for this recognition,” Mark Samuel said.
“I am blessed that my passion, experience and abilities have found purpose in service to my sport, my country and now, the FEI. Contributing to making a sustainable, meaningful difference is its own reward.
“I share this award with all of my fellow tireless volunteers who contribute their time, talents and energy in support of our great industry and in service to our incredible equine partners. It is my hope to continue to be a deserving recipient of this award and an ambassador for horse sport locally and globally.”
Having first been elected Chair of FEI Regional Group IV in 2012 and then re-elected for a further four years in 2016, Mark Samuel has played a key role in helping to direct the development of equestrian sport in 11 North American and Caribbean countries.
He was unanimously elected FEI 2nd Vice President at the General Assembly 2017 and was subsequently elected Vice President in 2018 in Manama (BRN).
Mark Samuel has been an invaluable member of multiple FEI working groups and committees, including chairing the FEI Officials Working Group, which was tasked with providing analysis and discussion on all issues related to Officials, from education to age limits.
He played an important role in the Temporary Endurance Committee, facilitating communication between the Committee and the FEI Board during a comprehensive review of the discipline’s Rules aimed at bringing the sport back to its roots. Along with the Chair Sarah Coombs and the rest of the Committee, he welcomed the overwhelming support for the Rule changes at last year’s General Assembly in Moscow (RUS).
Most recently, he was called on to join the FEI’s Covid-19 task forces, sitting on each of the discipline-specific groups to help evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the FEI Calendar and make specific recommendations to counter negative effects.
“We are delighted to hear that Equestrian Canada is to give Mark Samuel this award and I cannot think of a better qualified recipient,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“Mark has dedicated an inordinate amount of time and expertise to international equestrian sport over the years. He is well respected by all who know him for his remarkable intellect, charisma and ability to always find the right words in any situation.
“His depth of knowledge of sport, business and governance is matched by his generosity and willingness to help people during difficult times. We saw this determination in action in 2017 when he co-founded the Caribbean Equine Relief Fund to raise funds for relief efforts for equines and equestrians in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“I am proud to call him my friend and can only hope that this is the first of many accolades to come his way.”
As a Jumping athlete, Mark Samuel represented Canada at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2002 in Jerez (ESP) and the 2003 Pan-American Games in Santo Domingo (DOM).
He co-founded Jump Canada (JC) in 2004, and remained a key member of the Jump Canada Board and the subsequent Equestrian Canada Jumping Committee for over 15 years. During this time, he spearheaded many key initiatives, including the Jump Canada Hall of Fame and Bursary, and helped to build and support Equestrian Canada programmes and initiatives for Jumping athletes across Canada.
He has also been instrumental to the sport on a provincial level as a co-founder of the Ontario Hunter Jumper Association (OHJA) and past Director of Ontario Equestrian (OE).
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
The FEI Board has approved a number of resolutions proposed by the Jumping Calendar Task Force aimed at minimising the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the FEI Calendar and the equestrian community.
In a specially expedited approvals process, the FEI Board agreed the resolutions in an extraordinary FEI Board teleconference convened specifically for the purpose yesterday (7 April 2020). These new provisions will remain in place for the rest of 2020, with the possibility of being revisited for next year if required.
The FEI Board confirmed the following existing Rules for CSI 5*, CSI 4* and CSIOs, and temporary amendments to the Rules for CSI 3*, CSIP and CSI 2*:
CSI 5*/CSI 4*/CSIO – the current Rules apply, applications for date changes must reach the FEI 12 weeks prior to the Event, invitation rules remain in place, etc.
CSI 3* - exempted from the Date Clash Rules, and date applications or modifications will only be considered by the FEI if provided to the FEI by National Federations at least eight (8) weeks prior to the Event (instead of 12 weeks). All other Rules, including the CSI Invitation Rules, remain in place.
CSIP – exempted from the Date Clash Rules, and date applications or modifications will only be considered by the FEI if provided to the FEI by National Federations at least four (4) weeks prior to the Event (instead of 12 weeks). Invitation Rules are not applicable. All other Rules remain in place.
For CSI 2*, the CSI Invitation Rules are temporarily suspended. All other Rules remain in place.
The Board also agreed to a number of other resolutions that will now require further discussion by the Jumping Calendar Task Force.
CSIOs - the Board agreed to prioritise all CSIOs when date clashes are being considered, regardless of whether they are standalone Events or part of a Series, to allow for team preparation in the build-up to the Olympic Games next year. The Board has asked the Jumping Calendar Task Force to review date clashes on a case-by-case basis once applications and/or modifications are received from National Federations.
Switching dates from one Event to another by the same Organiser – as this has been allowed previously, the Board has asked the Jumping Calendar Task Force to review and allow, on a case-by-case basis, for a change of venues by the same Organiser.
The Board has also tasked the Jumping Calendar Task Force to look into the impact of the requested date changes on the existing Events in the Calendar and to provide proposed solutions to the FEI Secretary General and the Board.
In addition to the above, the Board discussed FEI Championships in 2020 and 2021, potential initiatives to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Event Organisers, and FEI Series, notably the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2020 and Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2021. These points will be further discussed by the Jumping Committee during its teleconference this week and the Committee will then make its recommendations to the FEI Board.
The FEI Board additionally requested that the Executive Board looks into the financial consequences of Covid-19 and the economic impact of potentially granting some waivers on fees for Event Organisers.
The key principles approved by the FEI Board will now be shared with the other seven Task Forces put in place to evaluate the impact of the virus on the FEI Calendar for Dressage, Para Equestrian, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. Each of these Task Forces, whose meetings will be scheduled in the coming days, consists of the core group plus the Chair of the relevant Technical Committee, a representative of the Athletes and the FEI Sports Director of the specific discipline.
The FEI President is to be kept fully updated on the work of each of the Task Forces and, where required, will assist in finalising proposals for solutions to be put forward to the FEI Board for approval.
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
The Jumping Calendar Task Force, one of eight discipline-specific task forces created by the FEI to evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the FEI Calendar and propose ways of mitigating its effects, held its first meeting via teleconference yesterday (2 April 2020).
The meeting was chaired by FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who has overall responsibility for the FEI Calendar and who will chair each of the discipline Task Forces.
The members who joined the teleconference call were the FEI Vice Presidents Mark Samuel (CAN) and Jack Huang (TPE), Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee Stephan Ellenbruch (GER), European Equestrian Federation President Theo Ploegmakers (NED), Jumping Athletes’ Representative Pedro Veniss (BRA) and Peter Bollen (BEL), President of the Equestrian Organisers (formerly International Equestrian Organisers Association - IEOA). The FEI Deputy Jumping Director, FEI Calendar Administrator and the Directors of the FEI IT, Legal and Governance departments were also on the call.
Key topics discussed by the group during the almost three-hour meeting:
The conclusions and resolutions from the Jumping Calendar Task Force will now go to the FEI Board for consideration at a specially convened Board teleconference next week.
Following this, the principles agreed by the Board will be shared with the other seven Task Forces that will evaluate the impact of the virus on the FEI Calendar for Dressage, Para Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. Each of these Task Forces, which will hold their meetings in the coming days, consists of the core group plus the Chair of the relevant Technical Committee, a representative of the Athletes and the FEI Sports Director of the specific discipline.
The FEI President is to be kept fully updated on the work of each of the Task Forces and, where required, will assist in finalising proposals for solutions to be put forward to the FEI Board for approval.
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
Jon Doney, one of the world’s top Jumping officials, has tragically died in hospital in Great Britain after a short illness. He was 71.
Jon Francis Doney was born on 29 January 1949 in the British market town of Stroud in Gloucestershire (GBR). He started riding at an early age and was a regular out with the Duke of Beaufort Foxhounds, but his interest in and subsequent love for the Jumping discipline came initially from his older sister.
His multiple roles included show organiser and judge at a national level before he became an FEI Official, going on to officiate at the world’s most respected events, including at iconic venues such as Barcelona (ESP), Aachen (GER), Verona and Rome (ITA), Dublin (IRL) and London Olympia (GBR).
He started designing courses in the 1960s and honed his craft with the British doyenne, Pamela Carruthers, taking over as designer at Hickstead after her retirement. His reputation on the international circuit flourished rapidly and he was thrilled to be appointed as course designer for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 1994 in The Hague (NED).
He was involved in three FEI World Equestrian Games™ during his long career, as well as three FEI European Championships - San Patrignano (ITA) 2005, Windsor (GBR) 2009 and Aachen (GER) in 2015, where he was President of the Ground Jury. He officiated at five Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup
Finals in Barcelona (ESP) and at the FEI World Cup™ Finals at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2012 and Gothenburg (SWE) in 2016. He was also Jumping Judge for the British 5* Eventing at Badminton on many occasions.
He officiated at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games and filled two roles at the London 2012 Olympics, as a member of the Jumping Ground Jury and also acting as the Jumping Judge for the final medals decider for Eventing. He was due to officiate at his third Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, this time as President of the Ground Jury.
As well as his huge input to the international sport as a judge and course designer, he acted as Technical Delegate and President of multiple Appeal Committees at top events all over the globe.
It was no surprise to the equestrian community when he was recognised for his services to the sport when he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2014.
“We are devastated to hear of Jon Doney’s tragic passing”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “He was phenomenally experienced in all his roles and officiated at an incredible number of top level events. He will be remembered for all that, but also for his talent as a great raconteur that would have all around him rocking with laughter. He was such a charismatic and cherished member of the FEI Family and we will miss him enormously. An incredible soul has been stolen from us.
The FEI extends its deepest sympathy to Jon Doney’s wife Mary and their family, to his enormous circle of friends on the international circuit, to the British Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.
The British Showjumping tribute to Jon Doney is published here.
Photo caption: Top FEI Official Jon Doney, who has passed away at the age of 71. (British Showjumping)
As part of its measures aimed at minimising the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the FEI Calendar, the FEI has put in place a new policy for calculating the world rankings from 1 April until the Calendar returns to normal. The new policy was initially discussed with the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) specifically for the Longines Jumping Rankings, but will now be used for each of the disciplines where a rolling 12-month period is used for the calculations.
Starting from 1 April 2020, the period during which ranking points remain valid in Jumping (Longines Rankings), Eventing, Dressage and Para Dressage will be prolonged by one month and will continue to be prolonged for an additional month with each new ranking until the competition calendar returns to normal.
Points earned in ranking competitions at events that take place during the current Covid-19 affected period will continue to count, and the maximum number of results that count for each athlete will remain, ie for the Longines Jumping Rankings best 30; Dressage best eight; Eventing and Para Dressage best six.
Rankings for the other FEI disciplines – Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining – are calculated on a fixed period (calendar year or other fixed period) so they will remain untouched. The change to the Driving Rules that means the discipline rankings will be based on a rolling 12 months does not come into effect until 1 January 2021.
For Jumping, Eventing, Dressage and Para Dressage, the following system will apply:
- The rankings established after 29 February 2020 remain unchanged (points valid for 12 months: best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020)
- The rankings established after 31 March 2020 have been calculated based on the best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 31 March 2020 (points valid for 13 months)
- The rankings established after 30 April 2020 will be calculated based on the best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 30 April 2020 (points valid for 14 months)
- The rankings established after 31 May 2020 will be calculated based on the best results at events taking place between 1 March 2019 and 31 May 2020 (points valid for 15 months)
- and so on until the competition calendar returns to normal.
A working group will recommend to the FEI Board at what point the competition calendar is deemed to have returned to normal worldwide. As of that date, the rankings will continue to be calculated over the extended timeframes above, guaranteeing there will always be at least 12 months of normal competitions included in the calculation of the rankings.
The new system provides a level playing field for all our athletes as ranking points can still be earned in countries where the sport is able to continue, regardless of the length of time the current situation lasts, but athletes in countries where the sport is on hold will not lose points. An athlete’s ranking points can only improve, not decrease during this period, as the relevant number of best results in each discipline still applies.
Twelve months after the competition calendar is deemed to have returned to normal globally, the timeframe during which ranking points remain valid will be decreased by one month with each new ranking until the standard 12-month rolling timeframe has been reached.
Related updates from the FEI are available here:
FEI President welcomes speedy decision on rescheduled Tokyo 2020 dates
FEI to create task forces to deal with impact of Covid-19
Coronavirus (Covid-19) advisories and FAQs
About the new Covid-19 Ranking policy
Information on the new Covid-19 policy for the Longines Rankings, as well as the Dressage, Para Dressage and Eventing Rankings can be found here.
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
The FEI President has welcomed the announcement of the new dates for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which will run from 23 July to 8 August, and for the Paralympic Games from 24 August until 5 September 2021.
“While it was of course demoralising for everyone that the Games had to be postponed from their original dates in 2020, the decision was absolutely right in the current terrible global pandemic, but it is really good to have the new dates agreed so soon”, Ingmar De Vos said.
“The decision was taken in full consultation with all the International Federations, including the FEI, and we all had the opportunity to voice our opinions. Now, once the Covid-19 crisis is over, our athletes across both Games can get their training back on track with confidence, knowing exactly when they and their horse need to be at their peak.
“We are conscious of the fact that this has been a very complex decision for the IOC to make, with multiple factors to be taken into consideration. The athletes’ health and well-being across both Games not just for equestrian sport, has to be the top priority, and we have all the protocols in place to protect our athletes – both human and equine – and help them to optimise their performance in the challenging climate we can expect in Tokyo.
“Of course there will be an impact on the international Calendar across all sports, and from an FEI perspective this includes four major European Championships, but we are already looking at ways we can minimise that impact. The remit for our discipline-specific task forces that are evaluating the impact of Covid-19 on the 2020 Calendar has now been expanded to cover 2021 and now we have confirmed dates for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we need to explore possible alternatives for a number of major FEI Events, notably the European Championships in Jumping, Dressage and Para Dressage, in Budapest, and the European Eventing Championships in Haras du Pin, France. This process will be started immediately.”
The five-discipline European Championships in Budapest (HUN), which also include Driving and Vaulting, are currently due to run from 23-30 August 2021, and the Eventing Championships in Haras du Pin (FRA) from 11-15 August.
“We need to also look at deadlines for obtaining minimum eligibility requirements and extending the deadline for registration of ownership for Olympic horses and will announce those as soon as possible, but we have had confirmation from both the IOC and IPC that National Olympic and Paralympic Committees which have been allocated Olympic or Paralympic quota places will retain them despite the postponement of the Games to next year.”
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
The FEI is to create a series of discipline-specific task forces to evaluate the impact on the FEI Calendar of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in multiple Event cancellations and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games until 2021.
The FEI Board approved the creation of the task forces during its monthly teleconference yesterday (24 March). The eight task forces, each of which will focus on a single discipline, will remain in place until any further decision by the Board.
The FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who has overall responsibility for the FEI Calendar, will chair each task force. The FEI Vice Presidents Mark Samuel (CAN) and Jack Huang (TPE) will be members of each task force together with the European Equestrian Federation President Theo Ploegmakers (NED) and Peter Bollen (BEL), President of the Equestrian Organisers (formerly International Equestrian Organisers Association - IEOA). The FEI Calendar Administrator, and a representative from both the FEI IT and FEI Legal departments will sit on each of the task forces.
The individual task forces, which will also include the Chair of the relevant Technical Committee, a representative of the Athletes and the FEI Sports Director of the specific discipline, will review all FEI Calendar related issues caused by the Covid-19 virus and make recommendations to the FEI on ways to address them.
The FEI President will be kept fully updated by each of the task forces, and will attend meetings when necessary in order to assist in finalising proposals for solutions to be put forward to the FEI Board for approval.
Following yesterday’s postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FEI has already received assurances from the IOC that it will work in tandem with all the International Federations to find the best solutions for all issues that arise, including the dates for rescheduling and the impact that will have on the international calendar for all sports.
Following allegations about the conduct of the Event Director at the FEI World Endurance Championships 2019 for Juniors & Young Riders and Young Horses in Pisa (ITA) on 18-20 September 2019, the FEI sent Gianluca Laliscia a Notification Letter on 5 December 2019 regarding alleged violations of the FEI Rules and Regulations.
Given the allegations against Mr Laliscia, which he denies, the FEI had concerns about his role with the Organising Committee of the FEI World Endurance Championships 2020 to be held in Pisa on 3-6 September 2020. The FEI was also mindful that the disciplinary proceedings against Mr Laliscia (including any appeal) might not be resolved until after the 2020 Championship.
The FEI considers that it is important for the Endurance community to have certainty regarding the hosting of the 2020 Championship, and also to ensure that there will not be any (direct or indirect) interference with the decisions of Officials at the Championships. To achieve these objectives, the FEI, Mr Laliscia and the involved stakeholders held constructive discussions, following which the FEI has agreed to accept detailed undertakings from Mr Laliscia and the Organising Committee (set out below), which are backed by serious sanctions for any breach. Mr Laliscia and the Organising Committee also confirmed their continued commitment to host the 2020 Championship in full compliance with all applicable FEI Regulations and all contractual obligations.
Based on the discussions, the undertakings given and the agreed terms, the disciplinary action against Mr Laliscia has been resolved.
As a result of the undertakings provided by Mr Laliscia and the Organisers, the FEI Board is satisfied that there is a sound basis for the successful staging of the 2020 Championship.
Summary of the principal agreed undertakings:
1. The 2020 Championship will be organised in full compliance with all applicable contractual obligations and all applicable FEI Rules and Regulations.
2. The principles of sporting integrity, equal treatment, and fair competition will be upheld throughout the entire 2020 Championship.
3. Each individual tasked with any part of the organisation of the 2020 Championship will comply in full with all applicable contractual obligations and all applicable FEI Rules and Regulations, and will uphold the principles of sporting integrity, equal treatment, and fair competition throughout the entire 2020 Championship.
4. Any circumstances that might be an obstacle to such compliance will be notified to FEI HQ immediately, and the Organisers will duly cooperate with the FEI to address the issue.
5. The Organisers and the Italian Equestrian Federation will jointly propose a suitably qualified person to be appointed as new Event Director for the 2020 Championship, in place of Mr Laliscia. The appointment shall be subject to the approval of FEI HQ.
6. As CEO & Chairman of sistemaeventi.it, Mr Laliscia will fulfil his commercial and other responsibilities at the 2020 Championship, but he will not be involved in the sporting or technical aspects of the event.
7. The FEI will select and appoint, in its absolute discretion, all officials to officiate at the 2020 Championship, including (without limitation) the Technical Delegate, the Course Designer, the Ground Jury, the Veterinary Commission, and the Stewards.
8. The authority of the Event Officials, in particular in their activities and decisions at the 2020 Championship will be respected at all times, in accordance with all FEI Rules and Regulations.
9. The Organisers will consult the FEI and will comply with any reasonable request from the FEI about all aspects of the security arrangements for the 2020 Championship.
10. No events/competitions other than the 2020 Championship will be held from 3-7 September 2020 (inclusive) at the venue for the 2020 Championship.
11. A breach of the undertakings by any individual or organisation will lead to serious disciplinary sanctions.
Following last week’s communiqué to National Federations on the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding Mass Gatherings and the necessity of Event Organisers to conduct a full risk assessment together with local authorities, the FEI has issued a further message to the equestrian community:
“The spread of the Coronavirus Covid-19 has taken a rapid turn for the worse and sport worldwide is affected. We as a community have to make our contribution to limit the spread of this virus, as the sooner it can be contained the sooner we will be able to get back to normal life and normal sport. And this is something that every other sport is doing.
“The FEI appreciates the amount of work and incredible investment every Organiser puts into their Event. While the FEI does not itself organise any FEI Events, in light of the escalating numbers of persons affected by the virus and the restrictions imposed by national governments, the FEI strongly recommends that Organisers should cancel all events for the next four weeks until a reassessment of the situation can be made.
“The FEI and Board will work together with the International Equestrian Organisers Alliance to evaluate what can be done to try and accommodate dates for Events that have been impacted during this period.
“We are aware that this is no simple matter, as clearly no single Organiser can be favoured to the detriment of others, and we do not know how many Events will be impacted nor how long the current situation will last.
“We have decided that Calendar fees for events that have had to be cancelled because of Covid-19 will be waived. We are also assessing the impact of cancellations of Events on other areas such as ranking points and on athletes and horses seeking MERs for the Olympic or Paralympic Games and qualifications for FEI Championships.”
“We can guarantee you that we are monitoring the situation hour-by-hour and that we are constantly looking at what specific situations need to be addressed. Our thoughts are with all of you and we strongly believe that our community will do the right thing and work to support each other through this crisis.”
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI), United States Equestrian (USEF) and Las Vegas Events have announced the force majeure cancellation of the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2020 in Las Vegas. The annual equestrian competition, featuring the Olympic disciplines of Jumping and Dressage, was scheduled for 15-19 April at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“It is very regrettable that next month’s FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas have had to be cancelled, but the decision was out of our hands”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“Since the FEI World Cup series began in 1978 for Jumping and in 1985 for Dressage, the Finals have never had to be cancelled before, but the global concerns about the spread of the virus and the travel restrictions imposed by the US Government have meant that the Finals are one of many major sporting events impacted by this outbreak.
“Like everyone in our community, we are disappointed, not only for the athletes who have qualified for the Finals, but also for Las Vegas Events and US Equestrian, and of course our top partner Longines, but the health, well-being and safety of our athletes, officials and our fans has to be our top priority. We hope we can alleviate that disappointment by returning to Las Vegas for a wonderful FEI World Cup Finals in the future.”
All ticket buyers and exhibitors will be issued full refunds. The Las Vegas Events ticket office will contact all ticket holders on the process starting the week of 16 March.
Further information on the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2020 in Las Vegas can be found at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com.
About the FEI World Cup™ Finals
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™, the world’s premiere individual Jumping series, and the breeding ground of equestrian legends, is now in its 41st season, with the first Final dating back to 1979. The very best human and equine athletes from 15 leagues in 43 countries around the world battled it out to qualify for this year’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas (USA), hoping to claim a share in the jackpot of more than €1.3 million.
Las Vegas was due to host the Final for the sixth time, having previously welcomed the crème de la crème of the Jumping world in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2015. Other Finals held in the USA were at Baltimore (1980), Tampa (1989), Del Mar, CA (1992) and Omaha (2017).
The reigning Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ champion is Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat with his horse Alamo, who took the 2019 title at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg (SWE) for his third victory in the history of the series.
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ series, now in its 34th season, is the most prestigious individual competition in the discipline, combining precision, athleticism and the ultimate partnership between horse and human. Dressage athletes worldwide compete across four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia), with just 18 earning their ticket to the Final.
Las Vegas has played host to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final four times, in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2015. The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final also visited the USA in 1995 (Los Angeles) and 2017 (Omaha).
The reigning FEI Dressage World Cup™ champion is Germany’s Isabell Werth, who rode the mare Weihegold OLD to success in Gothenburg (SWE) to claim the fifth title of her extraordinary career.
About Las Vegas Events
Founded in 1983, Las Vegas Events is a private, not-for-profit organization funded by hotel room tax. Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 750 events.
About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
About US Equestrian
The United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and its mission is to provide access to, and participation in equestrian sports at all levels by ensuring fairness, safety, and enjoyment. Since its inception in 1917, US Equestrian has been bringing the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. US Equestrian trains, selects, and funds the United States Equestrian Team, which consistently wins medals at the highest level of international competition, including the Olympic Games.
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