Theodorescu Re-Appointed on FEI Dressage Committee, Main Decisions by FEI Board in Abu Dhabi

Dressage

FEI

The second in-person FEI Board meeting of the year took place on 10 November 2024, in Abu Dhabi (UAE), prior to the FEI General Assembly.

Eurodressage is posting some of the main decisions taken by the Board that it deems relevant for publication here. The full summary can be viewed here.

Theodorescu Re-Appointed on DC

Monica Theodorescu (GER) was re-appointed as a member of the FEI Dressage Committee for the four-year term 2024-2028.

Originally committee members were only allowed to fulfil one term of four years but as of 21 November 2023 the FEI changed its statutes.

Monica Theodorescu (GER) was appointed member of the FEI Dressage Committee for the four-year term 2020-2024 in November 2020. She replaced outgoing member George Williams (USA).

Theodorescu is the deputy chair on the current FEI DC.

FEI Para Equestrian Committee

Adrianne Van Waardenberg-Nooren (NED) was appointed as a member of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee for the four-year term 2024-2028, replacing outgoing member Joyce Heuitink (NED).

Dressage Strategic Action Plan Working Group

The FEI Dressage Director updated the Board on the Dressage Stakeholder meeting organised on 1 October at the FEI Headquarters.

The Board supported the creation a Dressage Strategic Action Plan Working Group who will review the discipline comprehensively in view of the full revision of the FEI Dressage Rules due in 2027. In addition, the Working Group will propose and coordinate a Strategic Action Plan for the discipline.

The composition of the Working Group will be finalised in cooperation with the FEI Dressage Committee and the term will run through to 1 January 2027. T

The Board also approved the update to the Dressage US Equestrian Open Series Rules 2025.

Preferred bidder status

The Board approved the proposed modification to the FEI Policy for allocation of Named Events.

A key change is the incorporation of the principle whereby the FEI Board would have the right to assign “Preferred Bidder” Status to an Organiser for future FEI Championships. The preferred bidder model is similar to the “targeted discussions” model adopted by the IOC and is becoming more common in bidding processes run by International Federations.

The updated policy where the details of the new status have been outlined comprehensively will be published on the FEI Bidding Platform in due course.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

The Board approved a new template for MoU Stakeholders.

Key updates include new provisions regarding FEI Equine Welfare Strategy, good governance, Grooms Charter, rules revision and MoU Term. The new template will apply to the new MoU Stakeholders as well as to existing MoUs, when renewed.

Veterinary Decisions

The FEI Veterinary Director updated the Board on several ongoing research projects, including:

• Oral Cavity Project, conducted by the FEI Veterinary Department, Dr Mette Uldahl, Prof. Inga Wolframm, and Dr Ylva Rubin is underway. The final phase will be rolled out across all disciplines in 2025.

• Correlation between footing and forces in horse’s limb and their correlation to injuries, conducted by Prof. Lars Roepstorff, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

• Can objective gait analysis (SleipApp) be a decision support during the horse inspections in long format eventing competitions? The project is coordinated by Dr Elin Hernlund.

• Detection of EHV-1 virus in stable environments, coordinated by Prof. Lutz Goehring. The study evaluates the use of new technology to detect circulating EHV1 virus in stable environment. The technology could be used as early warning.

• Fluid therapy in horses, conducted by Prof. William Muir. The objective is to establish fundamental knowledge leading to treatment guidelines as well as strengthening the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

• Elucidating the microbial air profile/particulate characteristics to establish a standardised air quality test for equine riding surfaces, conducted by Dr Connor Farrell

• Development of a saliva-based method for in-competition testing, conducted by the FEI Veterinary Department, dog training company Canema and the FEI Central Laboratory LGC.

Dates for Multi-Sport Games

Bolivarian Games, Ayacucho (PER), 28 November – 8 December 2025;
South East Asian (SEA) Games, Bangkok (THA), 9-20 December 2025;
South American Games (ODESUR), Santa Fe-Rosario (ARG), 12-16 September 2026;
The 2026 Asian Games to be held in Aich and Nagogaya (JPN), 19 September - 1 October 2026;
Central American & Caribbean Games (ODECABE), Santo Domingo (DOM), 2026 (dates TBC).