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With competition on hold due to the pandemic, this week the FEI launches a brand new series of interviews and stories. First up, one of the best-known Press Officers on the international circuit, Classic Communications’ Marty Bauman, recalls some of his personal memories of FEI World Cup Finals™ in the USA…..
In the normal course of events, the full focus of the equestrian sports world should be on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ and FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2020 Finals which were due to kick off at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas last Wednesday (15 April). This would have been the tenth Jumping Final and the sixth Dressage Final to be staged in America, and there was a lot hanging in the balance as World No. 1 riders Steve Guerdat from Switzerland and Germany’s Isabell Werth were also chasing new records.
Steve should have been bidding to become the first-ever four-time champion in the 41-year history of the hugely popular Jumping series, while Isabell was set to seal her fourth consecutive victory with Weihegold, and her fifth in total as the 35th Dressage season drew to a close.
But nothing in the world is normal right now….
Driving Nancy crazy
“When you think that this week we should be together in Las Vegas, and next Monday I should be flying directly to Lexington for Eventing - my biggest two weeks of the year - but instead I’m sitting at home driving Nancy (his wife) crazy!” says Boston-based Marty whose equestrian connection dates all the way back to the American Jumping Derby in Newport, Rhode Island in 1978 where he worked with Mason Phelps.
Marty’s natural gift for event management and PR saw him become Director of Public Relations with the USET from 1990 to 2004, and he has been Press Officer for multiple major events including eight of those FEI World Cup™ Finals staged in the US.
His first was in Tampa, Florida in 1989 which attracted a large contingent of European media including the legendary Alan Smith from The Daily Telegraph in London who, as Marty recalls quite correctly, “never went anywhere on his own, he was always escorted by his followers!”
The event was staged in a small exhibition arena at the Florida State Fairgrounds where another of the sport’s legends, Gene Misch, had been successfully staging horse shows for some time. “Gene was the ultimate promoter, he did more for showjumping in this country than anybody”, Marty says. Nine years earlier the second annual FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final had taken place in Baltimore, Maryland, and Gene had been successful in his bid to bring it back to American soil once again. The 6,000-seater Tampa stadium sold out, and the stellar field included the defending champions from Canada, Ian Millar and Big Ben, and Great Britain’s John Whitaker with his magical grey, Milton.
Marty recalls Ian and Ben waiting at the in-gate before the Final round. “It was the first World Cup Final for myself and show manager David Distler, and it hadn’t been easy for us. But I remember Ian turning to David and saying “you think you have a lot of pressure on you - just imagine what I’m feeling right now!!” As the history-books show however the great Canadian partnership pipped the British duo to become the first back-to-back FEI Jumping World Cup™ champions.
Spectacular Del Mar
“Del Mar in 1992 was spectacular!” says Marty. According to the rule-book all Finals should be held indoors but the weather in the San Diego area was never likely to threaten so, on this one occasion only, it took place in an outdoor arena, covered by giant netting so that technically there was a roof in place.
The late John Quirke played a major role in bringing the event to California, enthusiastically supported by Del Mar’s Brooks Parry and the man who created the whole concept of FEI World Cup Jumping, Max Ammann.
Great Britain’s Tina Cassan was at the centre of a major drama in this edition when, during the first leg, she noticed the timers already registered 20 seconds as she began her round over Linda Allen’s course. She pulled up and refused to continue until the clock was restarted, and although the crowd noisily took her side she was eventually eliminated. After a series of intense meetings both she, and Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum who was similarly affected, were reinstated by the Appeals Committee. Ludger celebrated by winning the second leg and Tina eventually finished up eighth, while Austria’s Thomas Fruhmann and Genius jumped fault-free to take the title.
Marty recalls the tension and excitement at the time. “Raymond Brooks-Ward supported Tina throughout the whole controversy and there was a lot of pressure on me because the media wanted answers, and they wanted them now! But in the end it was all worked out, and Thomas was a great winner”.
Viva Las Vegas
And then John Quirke came up with an even bigger idea - bringing the Finals to Las Vegas. “He was a real mover and shaker and very good at convincing people of the merits of his great ideas”, Marty explains.
"John said - we’re in the business of entertainment and where’s the entertainment capital of the world? Let’s bring our sport into the 21st century! He wanted to present the sport like it had never been presented before, and in 2000 he made it happen - laser light shows, rock music, fireworks, opening acts, Elvis impersonators and showjumping - it had everything, and the crowds just loved it!"
Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet du Rouet were chasing down their third consecutive title, but hope seem to be shattered when the stallion had a fever on arrival at the show. However Baloubet bounced back and the three-peat became a reality when the pair pinned Switzerland’s Markus Fuchs and Tinka’s Boy into runner-up spot on the final day.
Pessoa and Baloubet surely hold the most extraordinary record in the history of the FEI Jumping World Cup™. After their three wins in a row they went on to finish runners-up in 2001, third in 2002 and second again when the Final returned to Las Vegas in 2003 where Germany’s Marcus Ehning posted the first of his hat-trick of victories.
Dual Finals
Five years later even more history was made when, for the very first time, the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup™ Finals were staged together in Vegas. “It was a spectacular programme in 2005 with day and evening sessions, we sold tickets in all 50 States and 30-odd countries and the Dressage Freestyle Final on that Saturday night was incredible! When Debbie McDonald and Brentina performed to Motown and Soul music the arena was electrified, and when they came down the final line to Aretha Franklin singing “Respect” the crowd got to their feet and went wild! That night changed Dressage forever, and I’m not sure it could have happened anywhere other than Vegas!” Marty says.
The American pair finished third while Anky van Grunsven came away with the win on Salinero. This was the seventh of nine series victories for the Dutch superstar who created even more headlines when following the win by marrying partner Sjef Janssen in a Vegas wedding chapel, with “Elvis” conducting the ceremony!
In Jumping, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum claimed the first of her three titles with Shutterfly that year, but back in Las Vegas two years later she took a surprise fall when seriously in contention on the final day, and it was Switzerland’s Beat Mandli who reigned supreme with Ideo du Thot. And, 15 years after she first stood top of the podium in Gothenburg (SWE) in 1992, Germany’s Isabell Werth won the 2007 Dressage title with Warum Nicht, pinning The Netherlands’ Imke Schellekens-Bartels into second and America’s Steffen Peters into third.
Second American
In 2009 Steffen became only the second American ever to win the FEI Dressage World Cup™, setting the Vegas arena alight with a brilliant ride on Ravel. Meredith and Shutterfly topped the Jumping podium for the third time in their career, and then there was a six-year break before the dual Finals returned to Las Vegas once more.
Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and the wonderful Valegro were still riding their wave of record-breaking success as they swept to take the 2015 Dressage title, while in Jumping, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat claimed his first victory riding Paille. But the story Marty remembers best from this edition was about young Irishman Bertram Allen.
“On the Wednesday night we had the Welcome Reception and Draw in a Club, and they wouldn’t let Bertram in because he was under-age - he was only 19. I had to plead with the club-owners to let him through, so they agreed provided we put a security guard by his side all night to make sure he didn’t drink alcohol. The legal age in the US is 21!”
But young Bertram went on to show he had all the maturity he needed, winning the first leg with Molly Malone and eventually lining up third at the end of a truly thrilling Final.
Omaha
Omaha in Nebraska became a brand new US venue for the joint-finals in 2017, and the home crowd loved every moment of it when firm favourite, McLain Ward, won the Jumping title he’d been craving for over 25 years. The spectators stayed on to share the prize-giving ceremony with him and his brilliant mare HH Azur who never touched a pole all week. “The feeling around the arena was amazing, everyone was so happy for McLain, and so proud of him!”, Marty says.
In Dressage, Isabell Werth scored the first of her three consecutive wins with Weihegold, and when the action was due to return to Las Vegas this week it looked set to be another nail-biter, with Charlotte Dujardin and her new star ride Mount St John Freestyle ready to get in the way of Isabell’s four-in-a-row - if she could.
The Thomas and Mack arena had a $75m makeover in the lead-up to the cancelled 2020 Finals including improved seating, a new sound system, new video boards and lighting. “The new VIP area is a giant ballroom with one whole wall of glass from floor to ceiling facing the Strip - the view is incredible! There’s an outdoor balcony and it would have been truly magnificent” says Marty who, like everyone else, is really disappointed this year's event had to be called off.
But the FEI World Cup™ Finals are set to return to Omaha in 2023 and that's where his sights are focused now. “It's such a great venue and we can really look forward to that. And then maybe we'll get back to Vegas soon again too!”
Enjoy coverage of previous FEI World Cup™ Finals on FEI YouTube
The Dressage Calendar Task Force, one of the 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 videoconference yesterday (16 April 2020).
The meeting was chaired by FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who has overall responsibility for the FEI Calendar and who is chairing each of the discipline Task Forces. Jumping was the first of the Calendar Task Forces to meet online on 2 April.
The members who joined yesterday’s Dressage teleconference call were FEI Vice Presidents Mark Samuel (CAN) and Jack Huang (TPE), Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman (NED), European Equestrian Federation Vice President Ulf Helgstrand (DEN), Dressage Athletes’ Representative Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (ESP) and Thomas Baur (GER), 1st Vice President of the Equestrian Organisers (formerly International Equestrian Organisers Association - IEOA). The FEI Dressage Director, FEI Calendar Administrator and representatives of the FEI IT, Legal and Governance departments were also on the call.
The main topics discussed by the group included:
The proposals from the Dressage Calendar Task Force will now go to the FEI Board for consideration. The Board has already tasked each of the Calendar Task Forces 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.
The FEI President is being kept fully updated on the work of each of the Task Forces and, where required, will assist in finalising proposals to be put forward to the FEI Board for approval.
The principles agreed by the Board after the first Jumping Calendar Task Force meeting at the beginning of the month have been shared with the other seven Task Forces that will evaluate the impact of the virus on the FEI Calendar for their discipline. Each of these Task Forces 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.
Meeting dates for each of the Calendar Task Forces are now confirmed:
20 April – Joint Task Force meeting for Driving, Vaulting and Reining, specifically to discuss FEI European Championships for Youth and Seniors in 2020 and 2021, which is the most pressing calendar issue. Following this, separate meetings will be held with each discipline Task Force to review potential date clash issues.
22 April – Jumping (2nd Task Force meeting)
24 April – Eventing
28 April – Dressage (2nd meeting)
29 April – Endurance
30 April – Para Equestrian
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.
FEI.TV the FEI’s online television platform, will be providing all its coverage of past events and special equestrian features free of charge to everyone while live sport is on hold until end of June.
Under normal circumstances, FEI.TV live-streams all major FEI Series and Championships, with an extensive range of replays, special features and historic events coverage available on-demand combining to provide unparalleled coverage of equestrian sport year-round.
But with no live sport, access to FEI.TV will be free and existing subscribers will be compensated for the months of April, May and June. They will get automatically refunded on their account. All content on the platform, including VOD, will be freely available to all users who will need to register, meaning that fans can re-live all the action from past events so there’s no need to miss out on your fix of equestrian sport.
“Premium content like this usually sits behind a paywall and is normally available only to subscribers, but while there is no “live” sport, we want to give equestrian fans the chance to binge-watch for free during this terrible pandemic”, FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus says.
This week’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ and FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas were one of the early high-profile victims of the Covid-19 outbreak when they were cancelled in mid-March. But Jumping and Dressage fans now have the opportunity to relive some of the very best moments of the FEI World Cup™ Finals from the past five years – 2015 to 2019 – live and free on FEI.TV, FEI Jumping and Dressage Facebook pages, and FEI YouTube channel daily. And if you can’t watch it live, catch it on replay on FEI.TV
For fans of the other equestrian disciplines, FEI.TV has lots more unique content, ranging from FEI Vaulting and Driving World Cup™ highlights to wrap-ups of the FEI Eventing and Dressage Nations Cup™ series.
An additional broadcast offering has been made available by the FEI, equestrian sport’s global governing body, providing free access to video archive footage to TV broadcasters in EBU member territories across Europe through its partnership with EBU, and to key territories in the rest of the world via its partnership with IMG.
“Our broadcast partners are struggling to fill their air-time without live sport, so this initiative has been put in place to ensure that they have access to top equestrian footage and, together, we can keep our fans around the world happy with their daily dose of equestrian content”, Straus says.
With the global sporting calendar decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the FEI has made drastic changes to the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2020 rules in a bid to maintain the series Final at Barcelona in October this year.
Under changes proposed by the FEI Jumping Committee and approved by the FEI Board during its teleconference this week, a total of 22 nations will be invited to compete at the Longines Final, staged at the prestigious Barcelona Polo Club. The 22 teams would be 10 from Europe, three from North America, two from South America, two from the Middle East, two from Asia/Australasia, one apiece from Africa and Eurasia, plus the host nation Spain.
The event held in February this year in Wellington (USA) will no longer be considered as a qualifier, and while events in North America and Europe that are still scheduled to take place over the next few months can be hosted as a Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™, no qualifying points will be awarded for the Final.
The three teams from North America and the 10 teams from Europe Division 1 will qualify directly for the Final, while the UAE and Syria, who claimed the two top spots at the Middle East qualifier in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, will retain their places for the Final.
The qualification system for the other divisions will be based on the Longines Rankings, using the combined points of each National Federations’ four best Athletes on the Longines Ranking published one month prior to the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final:
With Spain as the host nation of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final, this brings the maximum number of teams competing to 22.
As the EEF has today announced the postponement of the Longines EEF Series launch until 2021, there will be no promotion and relegation this year, so Division 1 will start with the same 10 teams for the 2021 season.
“The global pandemic has meant that sadly we have had a number of cancellations in the series, and even though we still don’t know what events will take place later in the season, we needed to provide clarity to all our stakeholders as soon as possible, so out of respect to all our Organisers, to our National Federations and their athletes, and of course to our Top Partner Longines, making this decision now was the only way forward”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“There is no certainty that teams would be able to travel to any of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup events that are able to go ahead, and without a fair qualification system and the impossibility of being able to offer a level playing field where all teams have the same possibility to train and participate at events, this was a decision that had to be made.”
“Of course all this is dependent on what happens with the pandemic, and we truly hope that there will soon be respite from all the terrible suffering around the globe, but we need to be optimistic and having the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October with up to 22 countries competing for our sport’s most prestigious team title is a goal we are hoping can be realised.”
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.
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