Minutes of the 2010 IDRC General Assembly

Dressage

IDRC News

The International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) helds its annual General Assembly at the 2010 CDI-W Neumunster in Germany on 21 February 2010.

In attendance were chair Margit Otto-Crépin and members Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, Catherine Haddad, Ellen Schulten Baumer, Ewald Willibald, Imke Schellekens-Bartels, Isabell Werth (part of the meeting, Kyra Kyrklund, Louise Nathorst, Petra Wilm, Sjef Janssen, Tinne Vilhelmson, and Wayne M Channon. Theyhad invited Katrina Wüst, Mariette Withage, Thomas Bauer and Trond Asmyr as guests. Apologies for absence were sent by Guenter Seidel, Jacques Albeck, and Pia Laus.

Division of Power

One of the important decisions the IDRC took this year was changing the Statutes. This change required two thirds majority of the members present. It was decided that the president, vice president and secretary general all three together have to agree in order to appoint special commissions and external representatives. Furthermore, proxy voting has been allowed. IDRC members can now vote on important issues wherever they are in the world.

At the 2010 General Assembly Kyra Kyrklund was appointed vice-president and Wayne Channon secretary general (which entails being Chief Executive Officer of the IDRC). Channon will have the responsibility of implementing the policies and strategy as determined by the Executive Board. He has the day-to-day responsibility of management of the IDRC.

Clean Sport

Channon presented the latest status on the Clean Sport and List Group activities.

The President informed the meeting that the NFs in Group I & II had returned a questionnaire on the subject. A list of questions regarding Clean Sport and the EEF will be circulated to Members for their opinion.
Rules need to be made clear for use of banned substances that are found in the horse in exceptional circumstances (eg following a colic operation). These will not constitute a doping violation but the rules need to be clear.

FEI Round Table Conference on the Rollkur

The President updated the meeting on the results of the Hyperflexion Round Table IDRC General Assembly

It was noted that the FEI had not asked the IDRC whom it nominated as its representative on the LDR Working Group. The IDRC is an Associate of the FEI and the largest stakeholder as it represents riders. It was felt that this is not the right way to manage such situations. It was agreed that the IDRC would write a letter to the FEI requesting that all appointments to FEI committees or working groups be made through the IDRC.
It was decided that the IDRC would ask the FEI if Richard Davison could be appointed as the IDRC’s representative on the LDR Working Group. This would ensure that the IDRC had direct input into the LDR Working Group
The meeting felt that the FEI should also have a jumping representative and an eventing representative on the Working Group. This would ensure the views of the major stakeholders are taken into consideration.

Prize Giving Ceremonies at Championships

The format of prize giving ceremonies at championships was discussed. It was agreed that this would be considered and suggestions would be presented at the Forum in ’s-Hertogenbosch at the World Cup Final.
It was decided to ask for clarification whether ear plugs for horses can be used in prize giving ceremonies.

FEI Dressage Committee update by Trond Asmyr

Warm-up arena
- It was discussed whether a judge or a rider representative be present at the warm- -up to support the Stewards.
- It was proposed that stewards should first serve as assistant stewards for a year prior taking the test to become fully qualified as a steward.
Public image of dressage
- The public image of dressage was discussed. It was felt that the IDRC should be engaged in actively promoting the sport in a positive way.
Word Cup Qualifiers (“WCQ”)
- Many Western League WCQ do not have enough riders.
- It was noted that there are several causes for this:
  - 1. Some shows leave it until it is too late to invite riders
  - 2. Some shows don’t want to have too many starters in the GP and they always get last minute withdrawals so end- -up with too few riders.
  - 3. Some shows are organised very close together, this splits the entries because most riders only have one GP horse so they have to chose between the shows.
- It was agreed that:
  - 1. The FEI must insist that WCQ invite more than 20 riders to ensure that there is enough riders.
  - 2. WCQ must confirm well in advance the definite riders and the short- -listed riders.
  - 3. The FEI should ensure that two WCQ are not too close together
  - 4. The prize money should be raised.
- Additional suggestions presented following the meeting:
  - 1. The WC rules should be modified in order to have more than 7 participants from the W- -European Ligue in the Final IDRC General Assembly
  - 2. The points shouldn’t depend on the number of participants.
  - 3. The distribution of the Wild Cards should be reconsidered.
Olympic Games
- It was noted that the other Olympic equestrian disciplines have more horses and more medals. This was not equitable. The IDRC will ask the FEI to consider how this can be readdressed.
- For example, Eventing has 75 horses (compared to Dressage’s 50) but only two more NFs competing. e. Olympic Games Formula for Medals i. TA explained that the formula for the two dressage medals for London 2012 would be:
  - 1. The Team Medal will be awarded on the combined result of the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special.
  - 2. The Individual Medal will be awarded on the result of the Grand Prix Freestyle only. ii. The General Assembly felt that this was a very bad idea and would result in the Grand Prix eventually disappearing.
- Trond Asmyr stated that any change for the 2012 OG is impossible. However, it was decided to write to the FEI requesting that this be changed back to the old formula for London 2012 and future OGs:
  - 1. GP to be the team medal
  - 2. GPS + GFS to be the individual medal
Selection of judges for championships
- - 1. TA informed the meeting that a Long list of 12 judges would be published 15 months in advance of the championship.
  - 2. 7 judges would eventually be selected.
  - 3. The meeting requested that the final selection of judges be left as near to the championship as possible.
Judging system
- Half points have been approved and will be trialled. Where and when will be notified by the Dressage Committee at some point.
- Judges’ supervisory panel to be trialled at Aachen 2010 and one other show in 2010.
- Divide tasks between the judges for the GPF will also be trialled in 2010.
Scoring
- The meeting agreed that open scoring was important. Spectators should be able to see marks by judge for all movements and shows should be encouraged to do this.
- Judges must not be able to see marks of even the running total. In shows where it is impossible to hide the scoring from judges, then it was agreed that the running total should still be shown.
Rating of CDIs
- It was agreed that the designation of 4* and 5* should not only be based on prize money.
  - 1. Lower prize money but very high quality would also count.
  - 2. High prize money but low quality facilities could also reduce the rating of a show. For example, quality of surfaces; use of open scoring should be considered.

The next IDRC meeting will be held at the 2010 World Cup Finals in 's Hertogenbosch on 26 March 2010.

Complete Minutes of the 2010 IDRC General Assembly can be found on the official website