Jim Ellis, ceo of the New Zealand Equestrian Federation, is blogging about the happenings and discussions at the 2011 FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Just like last year, the eloquent Ellis is a wonderful source to find out what is truly going on behind closed doors at the regional and FEI bureau meetings.
Excerpt Day 1
The major themes for this general assembly have emerged relatively late. European nations are likely to demand much stronger FEI leadership in the battle for primacy that exists between the FEI’s showjumping nations cup series and the private Global Champions Tour. Jan Tops, the Dutchman who leads the GCT and who is portrayed by many as equestrian’s answer to Bernie Ecclestone, is proposing an expansion of the current GCT series from 10 to 13 events in 2012. This will lead to more date clashes with nations cup events and a direct threat to the viability of the latter given their comparatively low prize money draw on leading riders. The FEI and GCT have had an agreement in recent years which has let to an acceptance of the latter’s role but the gloves are likely to come off now.
The dressage ‘blood rule’ proposal is the other hot potato although the recent German u-turn on their support for the proposal may well see it withdrawn from the agenda for Monday’s general assembly. If not, New Zealand will oppose it.
Today’s major news is that Princess Haya, FEI President, will not be attending this year’s gathering. Haya is due to give birth to her second child in January so surely the only surprise should have been that there was any expectation of her being present in the first place.
Haya’s absence poses a problem for new FEI secretary general Ingmar de Vos although a calm first general assembly is likely to be welcome for him. Vice Presidents Pablo Mayorga (ARG) and John McEwen (GBR) will provide the leadership, understandably less charismatic, at today’s Bureau meeting and Monday’s General Assembly. (Read the complete day 1 report)
Excerpt Day 2
My lexicon doesn’t stretch far enough to fully explain the nature of today’s FEI Group 8 meeting in Rio which lasted for a large part of the day. It is an extraordinary experience to sit through a 7 hour meeting where many of those present feel unable to fully express their thoughts in order to ensure no fellow Group member loses any face on a matter.
Group 8 comprises South East Asian nations plus Australia and New Zealand and is known within FEI circles as somewhat of a troublesome child; sadly troublesome because of its general inaction. In theory, Asia should be one of the FEI’s major growth areas for the sport as the world’s power of influence shifts east. The reality is different with internal political issues between Group 8 nations creating a sense of stagnation at a time when the rest of the world is increasingly asserting its influence, especially the major European players.
The style of an Asian-led meeting is unique and important to understand. Most decisions have been concluded in advance of the meeting and the discussions often pay lip-service to a topic; the maintaining of ‘face’ being critical at all times. This meeting culture doesn’t sit readily with the more robust Antipodean style, especially with NZ and Australia clearly the equestrian powerhouses of the region. Successful outcomes only come after subtle games of patience and diplomacy.
As predicted in this column yesterday, Frank Kemperman (FEI dressage chair and also director of the Aachen CHIO) informed the meeting that the dressage committee had removed the controversial ‘blood rule’ proposal from the General Assembly agenda with the matter referred to the veterinary committee for consideration – something which should have occurred at the start of this process. So Monday’s main bone of contention has been removed which should ensure a fairly mundane annual meeting. (Read the complete day 2 report)
Excerpt Day 3
The major topic of day 3 was the presentation by the FEI’s grandly named Constitutional Task Force who had been asked to consider the wishes of national federations with respect to a range of FEI governance matters.
In truth, the outcome was disappointing. Assuming the CTF have interpreted the responses to the consultation document accurately, then NFs have expressed a view that the current governance structure, including the unwieldy Bureau, is acceptable and perhaps the best of a range of options.
This is a sea change to the perceived wishes of a majority of NFs at the 2009 general assembly in Copenhagen where major change, especially to the size of the Bureau seemed in fingertip reach, only to be snatched away when delegates objected to some last minute changes introduced by the FEI hierarchy.
So change alludes us and the General Assembly tomorrow is likely to endorse the views of the task force, namely that structures should remain largely unchanged but with a range of operational aspects requiring improvement.
Governance change has been on the FEI agenda for well over a decade and now it is to be denied. In fairness though, the current Bureau are offering the sport greater leadership than may have been the case several years ago so perhaps the fundamental reason for change has diminished. (Read the complete day 3 report)
Excerpt Day 4
Today was a good day for international horse sport. Not necessarily for any dramatic change made to our equestrian world but rather because of the sense of order and calmness that pervaded the FEI General Assembly in Rio.
The lack of high drama, so prevalent in recent years, shouldn’t be mistaken for dullness; it is more a reflection of an organisation that is improving its performance as our global body.
The business of the FEI is wide and varied and, because of the horse, more complex than any other Olympic international sport federation. It is currently blessed with a highly capable staff team who are driving real progress in a range of areas from their new headquarters in Lausanne.
The FEI has 133 member national federations and with only 68 present - plus some proxies - a quorum was narrowly reached; a reflection of the time and expense required in travelling to this part of the globe. In a sign of the times, the assembly was opened by the absent Princess Haya (due to give birth to her second child in January) via video link with 2nd vice president, John McEwen, taking the chair for the remainder of the day. (Read the complete day 4 report)
Related Links
Constitutional Task Force Presents Findings at 2011 FEI General Assembly
Blood Rule Withdrawn, Nomination Dressage Committee Rider Rep Postponed