The International Dressage Riders’ Club has decided to take the FEI to Appeal over its decision not to take the IDRC’s representative on the Dressage Committee in 2012.
The FEI Statutes state that the IDRC has the right to nominate a member of the Dressage Committee and the FEI Internal Regulations state that the riders' representative must be a member of the IDRC.
The FEI believes that this means that both the National Federations and IDRC may nominate any rider so long as that rider is a member of the IDRC. The IDRC believes that the wording and meaning behind the words is clear, that riders have the right to have their own representative and that the IDRC has the right to nominate that representative.
The Dressage Committee did not support the IDRC candidate but went with a candidate proposed by the Spanish National Federation.
The matter has been referred to an FEI Appeal to be held on the 2nd November.
Kyra Kyrklund, President of the IDRC said “It appears that neither the FEI nor the Dressage Committee cares what riders want on any major issue. First the blood issue and now who represents us on the Dressage Committee. In a professional sport, you would think that riders should be allowed to choose their own representatives - apparently not. It is undemocratic and more worryingly, disrespectful of the athlete both horse and rider."
The IDRC is a democratically elected organisation representing the needs and views of dressage riders. It is officially recognised by the FEI as an Associate representing international dressage riders. It has over 190 full members, over 490 web members and 5,400 Facebook followers. The Board comprises President Kyra Kyrklund, Secretary General Wayne Channon, Hayley Beresford (AUS), Beatriz Ferrer Salat (ESP), Imke Schellekens-Bartels (NED), Evi Strasser (CAN), Princess Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg (DEN).
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