*These figures include funds allocated to National Federation projects (ie. 419 projects since launch in 2012) as well as development related assistance/funding areas such as grass roots events and series, education, IT and horse transport/quarantine.
2020 Highlights
Athletes Training Jumping Youth – Estonian rising stars
Over the last three years, FEI Solidarity has been financing an Athletes training programme for Youth in Jumping in Estonia aimed at improving the technical level of young Estonian Athletes in Jumping. All youth age categories have been involved in this project composed of, but not limited to, training sessions in Jumping and Dressage, Athlete mental preparation courses, Anti-Doping education as well as education in relation to communication skills to help Athletes better prepare for potential interviews, promote themselves and manage social media.
The first year was a great starting point to help young athletes identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to create a clearer vision on how to plan their upcoming competition season. One of the Junior athletes even took part in the FEI Jumping European Championship for Juniors 2018 in Fontainebleau (FRA).
Sport performance objectives became even more precisely defined during the second year of the project, with athletes showing increased motivation and commitment, which was reflected positively in the results. Estonia sent a Junior team to the FEI Jumping European Championship for Juniors 2019 in Zuidwolde (NED) for the first time and one athlete qualified for the final. That same year, Young riders obtained results in competitions up to CSI2* Grand Prix level.
Even though 2020 was largely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, training sessions were organised and a team prepared for the FEI Jumping European Championship for Juniors, which sadly ended up being cancelled. Even if 2020 did not live up to the hopes of these young athletes, this project has proven very successful overall and year after year the sporting goals set have been achieved.
Costa Rica – Athletes training in Olympic disciplines
FEI Solidarity has supported three projects in Costa Rica between 2019 and 2020 aimed at improving the technical level of Athletes in the three Olympic disciplines. Valuable local human resources were identified during this time, resulting in the appointments of National Head Coaches (NHC) in Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.
In Jumping, local Coach Juan de Dios Alvarez was appointed NHC thanks to his experience and knowledge acquired through the ongoing education provided by the FEI Coach Education Programme for National Coaches, which he followed up to Level 3. Gloriana Herrera and Leonor Munoz, two coaches who followed consistently the education programme offered by the FEI for National Coaches, took over as NHC in Dressage and Eventing respectively. Despite the hurdles brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, significant efforts were put in place by the National Federation to help the three coaches organise their respective training sessions.
COVID Relief Fund and emergency fund for Lebanon
With the Covid-19 pandemic, which changed our day to day lives and put the world, along with sport, largely on hold, the support of FEI Solidarity became more needed than ever. The FEI made close to CHF 3 million available in development funding through FEI Solidarity for programmes and projects across the pillars and development series. This sum included just over CHF 1 million through the newly created FEI Covid-19 Relief Fund for National Federations that were severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
A total of 105 out of 137 member National Federations were identified as eligible for support from the Covid-19 Relief Fund, which provided targeted financial assistance (CHF 10,000 per NF) to boost grassroots equestrian activities at riding clubs and schools, particularly the care and upkeep of horses.
Helping those in need is an integral part of FEI Solidarity, and alongside the FEI Covid-19 Relief Fund approved by the FEI Board in September 2020, an emergency fund was also allocated to Lebanon to assist with the country’s recovery from the devastating explosion in Beirut at the beginning of August, and ensure the welfare of the horses and the livelihood of the clubs.
Development of National Sports Structures in Russia
In February 2020, FEI Development Officer Jean-Philippe Camboulives travelled to Moscow and St-Petersburg to conduct several workshops as part of the second phase of a project launched in 2019 with the Russian National Federation, to establish National Education Systems for Coaches which were recognised by Russia’s relevant governing bodies.
The main objective of these workshops was to educate Senior Coaches, previously identified during the first phase of the project, to become “Coach Developers”, in line with the International Council for Coaching Excellence’s (ICCE) concept and directives. As a member of the ICCE, the FEI believes in the importance of using a successful concept and methodology which is recognised and used worldwide across different sports. The workshops were highly successful and well received by the participants under the excellent conditions provided by the Russian National Federation.
Online Workshops – helping National Federations identify their roles, missions and responsibilities
As part of its objectives, FEI Solidarity constantly evaluates the needs of its member National Federations and the best possible ways to assist them. This includes informing and educating the various actors of the equestrian community in best practices, both on and off the field. Following the cancellation of the FEI Course for National Federations, Secretary Generals & Administrators, the FEI Solidarity department initiated several online workshops for Presidents and Secretary Generals of National Federations, to help them identify and work on the roles, missions and responsibilities of their organisations.
Three such online workshops were organised in 2020, the National Federations of the Balkan Region being the first to benefit from this service, followed by National Federations in South America and the Middle East.
Gender Equality Grant
Sport can be a valuable tool for change…
Based on key values such as equality and mutual respect, the FEI takes it to heart to promote fair and equal treatment both in and out of the playing field. To date, equestrian is the only gender-neutral Olympic sport, meaning that men and women are in direct competition with one another on the same terms.
As a result of this, the FEI joined the initiative of the United Nation and its Gender Equality programme by creating an annual FEI Gender Equality Grant starting in 2020. Following a bid process open to all National Federations, to support the organisation of courses promoting female participation and development at all levels of the sport in Latin America, it was the National Federation of Costa Rica who was awarded this first grant.
The grant of CHF 20,000 was created to promote and encourage gender equality in equestrian sport around the world and will be presented annually to one National Federation project or programme with the aim of promoting gender equality on, or off, the field of play. This includes, but is not limited to, programmes relating to governance and administration, the growth of athlete participation or the development of skills for coaches, officials, grooms and farriers.
House Welfare – Grooms Training
Horse Welfare is the value at the core of the FEI. With this in mind, FEI Solidarity seeks to ensure that, education around the wellbeing and proper care for horses is taught to grooms from the grassroots all over the world.
In many countries, grooms learn on the spot and by experience, without any proper background education. Through its Groom Training programme, FEI Solidarity offers the opportunity to National Federations to educate their Grooms in order for them to understand the fundamental requirements and basic “know-hows” of this essential role. Sixteen courses around the world have already taken place since the launch of this programme in 2015 resulting in the education of 280 local Grooms.
Based on the idea of “learning by doing”, courses focus on giving participants not only the theory but also the practical experience they need. With a growing interest from National Federations to educate their grooms, it was decided in 2020 to review the course material in order to formalise its content. With this objective, a group of experts composed of Susanne Macken (IRL), Anthony Lowry (IRL) and Valeria Ariza (URU) worked together on creating the FEI Solidarity Course for Grooms Manual.
Alongside the improved Horse Welfare taught through these courses, the programme also improved the chances for grooms of finding steady jobs. The courses are a huge stepping stone in making grooms increasingly aware and responsible for their horses, both at home and at competitions. This is why FEI Solidarity is determined to continue providing additional theoretical material in the future and assistance wherever possible.
FEI Coach Education Programme in 2020
