Summary of Main Decisions Taken at 2010 FEI General Assembly

Dressage

FEI Dressage News

The FEI released a summary of the main decisions taken at the 2010 FEI General Assembly in Taipei. Here are the decisions relating to dressage. The GA approved the Technical Committee chairman’s report which included updates on:

Education of Judges

Education is crucial for the future of the sport. Judging and assessment of judges was restructured in 2009 and both promotion and refresher courses were modified accordingly. Work on course material and a logbook (on GP level) has begun. Criteria for becoming/remaining a judge have been made stricter.

Every judge will need to do a refresher course every three years as a minimum. The judges list will be overseen and inactive judges will be removed.

A new 2* category for judges, who may judge the Small Tour, has been created. They can later progress to become 3* judges. This is beneficial for developing countries with no education system for 3* judges.
Appointment of Judges: A new appointment system for judges for the main events has been introduced.
World Ranking List: Some changes to the World Ranking List system were approved to adjust the balance between GP, GPS and GPFS and make the major events more attractive.

Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage

A new bidding procedure for the Western European League (Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage) will be introduced.
The new edition of the FEI Rules for Dressage Events was approved: Rules for Dressage Events, 24rd edition, effective 1 January 2011. This fully revised edition reflects the proposals made by the Dressage Task Force, submitted to the 2009 General Assembly, which were tested throughout the year.

PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE

The report of the Technical Committee Chair was approved.
The Rules for Para-Equestrian Dressage Events, 3rd edition, effective 1 January 2011, were approved. The effort to align the Rules for Para-Equestrian Dressage as much as possible with the Rules for Dressage continued in order to allow able bodied trainers, chefs d’e?quipe, judges and coaches to work with Para- Equestrian riders. The changes included in the third edition of the Rules for Para- Equestrian Dressage Events are in line with the changes made to the Rules for Dressage Events.

Education of Judges: An education programme for Para-Equestrian judges has been set and the first courses will be launched in 2011.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Modifications to the following FEI Rules and Regulations were approved:

Statutes, 22nd edition, effective 15 April 2007, updated 1 January 2011
General Regulations, 23rd edition, 1 January 2009, updated 1 January 2011
Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs), 1st Edition, effective 5 April 2010, updated 1 January 2011
Veterinary Regulations, 12th Edition, effective 5 April 2010, updated 1 January 2011.
FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA), based on the 2009 revised WADA Code, effective 1 January 2011

2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

Olympic Games – Dressage

A new alternative shorter Grand Prix Special Test will be introduced on 1 January 2011 as a second Grand Prix Special Test was needed for the 2012 Olympic Games. The two-minute reduction is necessary to fulfill the IOC’s requirement to keep the same time frame as in Hong Kong and to allow a total of 32 horses (7 teams and 11 individuals) to take part in the competition. This format will not be used at other FEI Championships.

Paralympic Games

The qualification procedures for the 2012 Paralympic Games, which were approved by the 2009 FEI General Assembly, have been approved by the International Paralympic Committee. The qualification system will slightly differ from previous Games in order to allow for the participation of more nations.

YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES (YOG)

Officials for future YOG will be appointed in the same way as officials are appointed for the Olympic Games.

STEWARDING

An education system, consisting of three levels, was developed.

Level 1
National Stewards who successfully complete a Level 1 course that has been run according to the FEI syllabus are promoted to FEI Level 1 Stewards. This status does not permit a Steward to act as Chief Steward at an international event. All assistant Stewards at international events must hold at least this status. Level 1 courses can be conducted in national languages. However, participants who attend a Level 1 course that is not run in English and who wish to continue to Level 2 status must take all three Level 1 exams in English.

Level 2
Level 1 Stewards who successfully complete a Level 2 course that has been run according to the FEI syllabus are promoted to FEI Level 2 Stewards. This status permits a Steward to act as Chief Steward at all international events with the exception of FEI World CupTM Finals, Senior Championships and Games. All Level 2 courses must be run in English, including all examinations.

Level 3
Level 2 Stewards may be promoted by the FEI to Level 3 status following proposal by their NF Stewards General via their National Federations. In order to be proposed, they must have been a Level 2 Steward for at least three years, and must have acted as the Chief Steward in at least six CI or higher events. This status permits a Steward to act as Chief Steward at all international events including FEI World CupTM Finals, Senior Championships (world, continental and regional) and Games (Olympic Games, regional games).

All Level 3 Stewards must be able to speak and write English.

FEI courses for Stewards must follow the syllabus established by the FEI, who also establishes a list of Course Directors. To be recognized by the FEI, a course must be directed by one of the Course Directors on the FEI list. Courses for FEI Course Directors are organised by the FEI.
The FEI also organises refresher courses for the FEI Stewards General. Each NF or groups of NFs or region organises Level 1 and Level 2 courses for their own Stewards that must be directed by one of the FEI Course Directors. Thirteen Stewards Courses were organised in 2010. Currently courses for Jumping and Dressage Stewards are available. Further disciplines will follow in 2011.