Minutes of the 2010 WBFSH General Assembly

Breeding

WBFSH Breeding News

(official unaltered WBFSH Minutes) --- At the 2010 WBFSH General Assembly held at Dressage at Devon in Devon, PA, USA the last week of September, WBFSH President Jan Pedersen welcomed everybody in attendance and made a special welcome to Chris Hodson

, FEI 2nd Vice President. The President also thanked the International Sport Horse Registry & Oldenburg Registry North America for hosting this General Assembly and especially Ekkehard Brysch for organizing the whole programme.

1. Opening and Welcome

See above paragraph

2. Adoption of the Minutes of the General Assembly 2009

The minutes of 2009 were adopted without any remarks.

3. Presentation of activity reports by Jan Pedersen and discussion of the written reports of the five departments

In my report last year I touched on the global financial crisis and its impact on the horse breeding sector. The recession is not over yet and it has led to some pessimism and another fall in the number of coverings. However, it seems that the number of riders and the number of starters in competitions have not been affected much by the crisis so the state of the market is going to change in a positive way and if the usual mechanisms also apply to the market for horses we shall soon experience sellers’ market.

Until then, the individual studbooks and the WBFSH have an important mission to support the breeders so that they do not lose confidence of the future. In spite of the financial crisis and the recession that many of our member studbooks are experiencing right now the WBFSH is still growing. The main function of our Development Department is to promote growth in the membership of the WBFSH and the department has been very successful in pursuing that goal. The Board has considered 6 new membership applications since last year’s general assembly. You will get a full report from the Development Department later.

Department Breeding

Also 2009 and 2010 have been characterized by a good cooperation with the FEI. It was, however, very disappointing to receive reports from the WEG in Lexington that there is no breeding information on the starting list. This is an issue that we have been discussing with the FEI for years and we had the impression that we were united on that. Apparently not!

Apart from that our cooperation resulted in successful championships for young horses. When it comes to further development of the schedules the FEI has always been ready to meet our wishes and so we have been able to introduce several improvements one of which ensures a more homogeneous judgement of the dressage horses from one year to another.

The championships reflect the interdependence of breeding and sport and so the interdependence of the FEI and the WBFSH. The pedigrees of the participating horses show that the breeding world has become even more international and that the old borderlines between studbooks have almost disappeared.

Again this year, the Championship for Young Dressage Horses attracted a large crowd and the atmosphere in Verden was as usual fantastic. Winner of the 5 year old horses was: Asterix by Obelix. Studbook: KWPN Winner of the 6 year old horses was last year ?s silvermedalist among the 5 year old horses Uno Donna Unique. Studbook: Danish Warmblood.

During the price giving ceremony I had the honour to award the breeders of the winning horses a signed WBFSH diploma in token of the memorable occasion.

The championships for young jumping horses took place this weekend at Zangersheide and I come directly from there. The event is still fantastic for both audience and riders. Unfortunately the event appears as cooperation between the FEI and Zangersheide whereas the role of the WBFSH is clearly minimized. We are almost invisible there, neither on the showground nor in the programme. The number of participating horses is high but not a problem because everything is so efficiently organised but there are too many wildcards compared to the WBFSH quota.

The final for 5 year old horses was won by the KWPN gelding, Always There by Indoctro / Voltaire, ridden by the Brazilian rider, Camila Mazza Benedicto. The 6 year old World Champion 2010 is an Irish stallion, NLS Coole Al Clover by Aldatus Z / Clover Hill, ridden by Clement McMahon.
World Champion 2010, 7 year old horses is Equipharma Dax van Dabdijhoeve, ridden by Pieter Devos, studbook BWP.

On the request of the organising committee of the event the signed WBFSH diplomas will be sent by post to the breeders of the winning horses.
The last of the 3 FEI / WBFSH championships, the World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses take place in Lyon d ?Angers from the 21st to the 24th of October. This event is really worth a visit so if you can you should go. The cross country track is fantastic and everything is always very well organised.

A little bit about European matters:

For quite some time we have supported the idea of creating a working group on EU- legislation together with the FEI. Now the European national federations have established a fraction of the FEI; the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), and together with this new player in the field a permanent working group has finally been established. The group wants to deal with matters like horse transportation, African Horse sickness, Equine Infectious Anaimia, foot and mouth decease, FEI passports, EU consumer protection rules, and EU legislation on animal protection.

The idea of a European Horse Network was presented at last year’s General Assembly in Copenhagen during which we signed a letter of intent stating that we would be part of that network. At present the European Horse Network consists of 14 members. Till now, 4 meetings have taken place and the WBFSH has been represented by Klaus Miesner, our Department Cooperation.

The main activity for 2010 is to organise a Conference of the European Horse Network in Brussels on 17th November. For further information on this network I refer to its website. You can find a link on the WBFSH website.

The young breeders have their own website now. We paid for the start-up and I believe it is a good investment in the future. You can also find a link to the International Young Breeders on our website.

Department Breeding

There is nothing to report from the Department Breeding as the data exchange project together with the FEI has been on standby but the work will continue later this year .

Department Promotion

The FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Kentucky are an excellent opportunity for us to show ourselves to the world. Right now the WBFSH is present in Kentucky Horse Park with a booth together with Breeding News. The goal, of course, is to promote sport horse breeding. Among other things new WBFSH leaflets, including the activity plan of the WBFSH, are available.

I am sure that going to Kentucky was the right thing for us to do although it is a rather expensive project. I must say, though, that the persons who have been 3 involved in the planning have been most frustrated by the bureaucracy and the magnitude of regulations connected with this booth. If we had known that in advance I am not sure we would have started the project. But now we are there and that is good after all.

Rankings

The rankings have been much delayed this year and that is very unfortunate as they are the main attraction of our website. If you want to know more about the reason for that I am sure Danielle Arts can explain.

This year it is not possible to reward the winning studbooks as we usually do during the General Assembly because this year's meeting is so early. So the prices will be awarded later this year on appropriate occasions in the country of the winning studbooks.
As we have emphasized before the WBFSH considers the completeness and correctness of the pedigrees to be very important. Each individual studbook is responsible for the deliverance of correct pedigree information of its horses in the rankings. The department promotion has given much attention to the coordination of the pedigree information supplied by the studbooks and the input of horse data in the database of the FEI. Regretfully this is still a lot of manual work. Hopefully in the future, our XML tool for data exchange will change this.

Merial / Duo Breeding Prize

So far Merial was sponsor of the WBFSH. The Merial/Duo Breeding Prize is awarded to the breeders of the highest scoring sport horse of the WBFSH / FEI ranking lists in dressage, show jumping, and Eventing.

The Duo/Merial Breeding Prize-giving ceremonies take place in connection with an equestrian event in the country of the studbook of the winning horses. This was appreciated highly by the breeders. Unfortunately, because of changing European laws, Merial is forced to stop this way of cooperation with the WBFSH and as a result of that we have to make an effort to attract new sponsors.
With this I conclude the activity report of the board. I have only touched lightly on the reports from the various departments trusting that you have all studied them carefully.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank our sponsor Merial for many year’s valuable support and our partners for fruitful cooperation, the FEI who is represented here by Chris Hodson, the magazine Breeding News, represented by Jean Llewellyn and our Honorary Member Xavier Libbrecht and Mediehuset Wiegaarden, Denmark, represented by Thomas Bach Jensen. Thomas Bach Jensen is responsible for our website.
The report by the President and the five departments were adopted without any remarks.

4. Financial report

Financial report 2009/2010 is enclosed.

The financial year runs from September 1 to August 31.

Rik van Miert from the Department Finance presented the account for the financial year 2009/2010. The result of the year 2009-2010 was 23,522.00 €, leaving the savings account with 120,257.86 €.

The Financial report was adopted by the General Assembly.

Chris Gould, member of the Audit Committee, officially handed over the approved annual financial report to the President. Chris Gold took the opportunity to ask for more time to audit the account in the future. He recognized the special situation this year in consequence of the early General Assembly.

5. Approval of the budget for the coming financial year

The budget for 2010/2011 is enclosed.

Rik van Miert presented the budget for 2010/2011 on 152,133.00 €.

Under “Investment” the Board has disposed 20,000.00 € for increasing the profile of WBFSH. As the WBFSH are going to loose Merial as sponsor there is a need to attract other sponsors. The Board wishes to become more visible by improving the web-site and increasing the co-operation with the magazine Breeding News. This should be an investment for the future.

The budget for “Juridical advice” is increased. More member stud books have asked how they should deal with VAT, when they pay their membership fees. This is not quite clear and the WBFSH therefore have to ask for juridical advice.

Chris Gould from the Audit Committee mentioned that the WBFSH have a healthy account, so it should be no problem with the extra amount for “Investment”. He would like to hear more about the plans.

Jan Pedersen answered that the WBFSH wishes to work closer together with Xavier Libbrecht concerning finding new sponsors.

The budget for 2010/2011 was approved.

6. Approval of the annual plan for the coming year

Jim Flanagan informed that the Board will come up with a new Strategic Plan for 2012-2016. A draft will be presented at the General Assembly 2011 and all members are invited to send input to the draft.

Under the Strategic Plan 2008-2012 the Board came up with annual plans, where special efforts are put on certain items. The annual plan 2011 was presented as following:

1. Planning of the championships together with FEI.
2. Working on EU legislation in cooperation with other organisations.
3. Improve communication between stud books and FEI in general and specifically concerning data exchange.
4. Breeding information on starting lists and other media.
5. Sponsorships.
6. Further seminars on judging in cooperation with FEI.
7. Contact to international federations.
8. International organisation of young breeders and competition.
9. Maintain contact to the EAAP horse commission.
10. Implementation of priority actions under the strategy plan 2008-2012.
11. Stimulating the development of vaccinations against and prevention of the spread of exotic diseases.
12. Coordinating horse welfare issues.

Concerning item 10 ongoing activities is revised and highlighted in the Strategic Plan 2008-2012, chapter 4:

Chapter 4. Implementation Plan.
The goals in the Strategic Plan and the strategies for achieving the goals will form the basis on which annual plans are formulated. Initiatives for particular attention in 2011, the fourth year of the plan, include:

Monitor opportunities to become subject to international law rather than the Netherlands law.
Work as a member of the newly formed European Horse Network to influence, inter alia, EU legislation related to horses.
Seek to have breeding information included on starting list, in media coverage and in T.V. commentaries.
Improve communication between stud books and FEI in general and specifically concerning data exchange.
Further seminars on judging in cooperation with FEI.
Coordination of horse welfare issues including promotion of awareness of strategies such as vaccination for controlling horse diseases.

The General Assembly approved the Annual Plan for 2011.

7. Election of Board members

Jim Flanagan informed that the Board exists of the president and 5 vice-presidents. Each year one-third of the Board members have to be elected, meaning that two out of the six Board members are elected each year for a three year period.

Every studbook can nominate a person for president and take over the work of the office. Jim Flanagan informed that Jan Pedersen is willing to stay as President and the DWB is willing to continue with the office. The General Assembly re-elected Jan Pedersen as president and Karina Christiansen as member of the executive committee until 2013.

BWP is willing to continue with the Department Finance. Rik van Miert was re-elected as vice-president and Rudi Eerdekens as members of the executive committee until 2013.

8. Election of members for the Audit committee

According to the statutes, the Audit Committee should be elected annually. Ingvar Fredricson, Håkon Wahlman, Jacques Vandenberghe, Werner Schade, Chris Gould were all re-eleceted.

9. Election of members for the Board of Appeal

According to the statutes, the Board of Appeal should be elected every second year.
Jos van Campen, Hanfried Haring, Theo Van den Broek, Peter Ljungcrantz, Xavier Libbrecht were all re-elected.

10. Election of members for the Disciplinary Committee

According to the statutes, the Disciplinary Committee should be elected every second year .
Joachim Wann, Roland Devolz, Dermot Ryan and Egon Fræhr were all re-elected.

11. New Members/Associates

Alison Corbally reported from the Department Development. The Department presents the application to the Executive Committee and they advise the Board. The Board then decides on the admission of members and associate. The General Assembly may overrule the decision made by the Board.

The Scottish Sport Horse (SSH) and Estonian Sport Horse Studbook (ESH) were both previous Associate members and now apply for Full membership. Full membership status was given to both studbooks by the Board on June 28, 2010.
Sociedad de Fomento Agricola (SOFO) was given associate status by the Board on September 27, 2010.
There was no objection from the General Assembly.

With the 2 new members it brings the total amount of WBFSH members up to 67 and associate members to 2 as from September 30, 2010.

12. Motions from members/associates

No motions had been proposed by either members, associates, or Board this year.

13. General Assembly 2011

Asociación Nacional De Criadores De Caballos de Pura Raza Española (ANCCE) has invited the WBFSH to Sevilla in late October 2011. More studbooks would prefer a later date, but ANCCE has a big competition in November. It is therefore very difficult for them to arrange the General Assembly at a later date.

The final date and provisional programme will be presented as soon as possible.

14. Young Breeders’ annual report

Alison Corbally made a brief update from the International Young Breeders.

Normally the annual meeting of the Young Breeders should be held in conjunction with the WBFSH General Assembly. But due to travelling costs it was this year held during the German Young Breeders Championships in June 2010 in Marbach. Since last year a new web-site has been established with a link from the WBFSH web-site and 17 studbooks have now details included. Every second year World Championship for International Young Breeders are organized. In 2011 it will be organized by ANSF near Lyon, France on July 22-24.

From the chairman of IYB, Inken Gräfin von Platen-Hallermund, Alison Corbally forwarded her special gratitude towards the WBFSH for supporting the Young Breeders.

15. Miscellaneous

Chris Gould mentioned that starting lists in Canada is well updated with breeding information and he asked the President to write a letter to the Canadian competition arrangers and owners of Spruce Meadows to thank them for making a special effort in being the only ones in Canada that put pedigree and stud book on the starting lists at all their shows and having done so for a long time.

The 2nd Vice President of FEI Chris Hodson mentioned that the FEI is happy to be involved in the lobby EU work and would like to have more discussions on technical matters with WBFSH. He also mentioned that in future there will be huge opportunities for WBFSH in Asia. On the equestrian area, Asia is growing immensely, but there are no breeders in the region.