24 May 2010

FEI President calls for improved risk-free international movement of equines at OIE General Assembly

Caption: FEI President Princess Haya addresses the 78^th OIE General Assembly in Paris

FEI President HRH Princess Haya has called for a more rational risk-based approach to international trade requirements for the transportation of competition horses.

Speaking to some of the world’s top animal health government officials at the 78^th OIE General Assembly in Paris on Sunday 23 May, the FEI President acknowledged the need for sanitary measures such as required testing and quarantine periods, but called for these measures to be applied in a reasoned manner and proportional to the risk of disease-spread when transporting international sport horses.

The FEI President highlighted the high health status of competition horses and called on the OIE to take decisions on importation requirements for equines based on a fair assessment of risk and consistent decision making. She stressed that lengthy delays at border posts are not acceptable and are a clear contradiction of the principles of fairness and good welfare.

Repeating the OIE objectives of strengthening economies, improving public health and increasing trade without unnecessary restrictions, the FEI President used the address to reach out directly to government representatives present at the OIE General Assembly, urging them to apply the OIE International Standards to equine trade.

The rapid growth of equine sports, particularly international equestrian competition and racing, is directly linked to associated job creation and government revenues, Princess Haya stated. Greater understanding of ways to maintain the health of animals and a healthier lifestyle for young people are other benefits of the expanding interest in the horse around the globe, she said.

“For the last four years, we have been working on a single solution for everyone, one that will protect the sport and take it to new levels”, the FEI President said in her speech. “Ease of transport is key to the success and continuing development of equestrian sport. Yes, we must maintain the restrictions that prevent disease-spread, but we need to make it easier for our athletes to compete.

“If we can find solutions to the issues of transport and quarantine and allow our competition horses to move across borders without becoming entangled in bureaucratic red tape then we can remove the elitist image of equestrian sport. It truly can be horses for all and, if we can achieve that, it is a service to our whole community.

“In order to meet our overlapping objectives with your governments, we must all continue to work with the OIE to ensure that decisions on the trade and movement of all species, including equines, is based on transparent fact.”

There is a growing recognition that the increasing volume of cross-border horse movement requires further efforts to allow that movement based on the actual science and an assessment of the risk factors involved. The 78^th OIE General Assembly offered an important opportunity for the equine industry to highlight the need for constant communication with government officials to help facilitate the movement of horses and allow the expansion of equestrian sport on a global level.

 The full transcript of HRH Princess Haya’s address to the OIE General Assembly can be found at www.fei.org/media/press-releases

RIDERS WARNED OF A TWO-YEAR BAN FOR DOPING POSITIVES

“If your horse is found to have a banned substance in its system, you are looking at a two-year suspension,” FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke warned riders competing at this week’s Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

The warning came at the riders’ briefing before the start of five days of competition in Geneva (SUI) as part of the FEI’s drive to raise awareness of the Clean Sport Campaign.

The Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Driving Finals are the first major competitions since the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations and Veterinary Regulations came into effect on 5 April 2010.

Riders were provided with Clean Sport Information packs containing an updated Athlete’s Guide and a brochure outlining How Testing Works, both of which are also available online at www.feicleansport.org. These publications have been sent to all National Federations for distribution to stakeholders.

“We want to provide all those involved in our sport, and especially our athletes, with all the necessary tools for the best possible understanding of the new Regulations,” Graeme Cooke said.

Dr Harald Müller, FEI Executive Director Education and Standards, also guided riders through the use of the Prohibited Substances Database, which provides clear guidance on the substances included in the Equine Prohibited Substances List.

All members of the equestrian community are encouraged to visit www.feicleansport.org on a regular basis.

FEI LAUNCHES NEW EVENTING RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Malmö (SWE), 17 January 2010

A new worldwide Eventing Risk Management Policy and Action Plan aimed at reducing cross-country horse falls was launched at the third annual FEI Safety meeting in Malmö, Sweden, today. Based on a six-year statistical study of the sport, the Action Plan will be a functional and reliable system that will be used to monitor risk factors in Eventing, and to streamline international data and ideas to further understand the root causes of falls. Read on...

NEW CLEAN SPORT WEBSITE LAUNCHED www.feicleansport.org

Lausanne (SUI), 18 January 2010

The FEI today launched a new website dedicated to its ongoing Clean Sport Campaign. The website’s address is: www.feicleansport.org Read more....

Photo caption: Koos de Ronde (NED) winner of the FEI World Cup™ Driving competition in Mechelen (BEL). Additional photographs in high resolution are available from the FEI online Photo Catalogue. Please note that these pictures are strictly for editorial use. (c) Rinaldo de Craen.

FEI WORLD CUP™ DRIVING, PRESS NEWS NR. 5
Mechelen (Bel), 31 december 2009

De Ronde in top form in Mechelen

He did it. Finally! After having come second three times behind Boyd Exell, Dutch driver Koos de Ronde managed to beat the unbeatable Australian at the fifth leg of the FEI World Cup™ Driving in Mechelen, Belgium, sponsored by Willy Naessens Industrie-en Zwembadbouw. De Ronde’s compatriot IJsbrand Chardon is making his way back to the top with his new Lipizzaner team and came second, ahead of Stockholm winner Tomas Eriksson.

Unlucky start
Koos de Ronde had an unlucky start in Mechelen when he drove a wrong gate in one of the marathon type obstacles on the first day. This not only cost him 20 penalty seconds, but he also became the first starter in the World Cup competition, which is always a disadvantage. But the 2008 golden team member of Beesd showed his skills and set a very fast time which allowed him to start last in the winning round. After Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson and IJsbrand Chardon both had knock downs, De Ronde drove his wonderful team to victory for the second consecutive time in Mechelen.

Lipizzaner team
Ijsbrand Chardon made his World Cup debut with the three grey Lipizzaner horses he recently bought from his colleague Jozsef Dobrobitz from Hungary. Completed with one of his experienced bay KWPN horses, Chardon finally managed to claim a Top Two placing again. After his fourth and third place in Hannover and Stuttgart, Chardon realized he had to make a move in order to be able to beat De Ronde and Exell next season.

White handkerchiefs
Former World Cup competitor and wild card driver Gert Schrijvers came fourth in the strong competitors field in Mechelen. Schrijvers is known for driving Arabo Friesian sport horses, but is gradually switching to Dutch warm blood horses since last summer. The multiple Belgian Champion and World Championship medal winner drove a mix of KWPN and Arabo Friesian horses in the Nekkerhal, where he was cheered by a very enthusiastic audience, who were waving at the competitors with white handkerchiefs, which created a special atmosphere.

Losing touch
The second wild card went to Boyd Exell, who has been in the lead of the standings since the start of the season. Exell nearly made the same mistake as De Ronde on the first day, taking a wrong gate, but could pull his team back and avoid 20 penalty seconds. After that incident however, Exell lost touch with his team and knocked five balls down, which dropped him to the last place. This did not affect his leading position however, since a wild card driver does not get any points. Exell has now finished his World Cup season and will enjoy a long holiday in his home country Australia before the Final in Geneva in April.

The standings
After five competitions, it is clear that Boyd Exell, Koos de Ronde, Tomas Erikson and IJsbrand Chardon are certain of a starting place for the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final. With two more competitions to go in Leipizg, Germany and Bordeaux, France, the fifth and sixth driver will present themselves. Both Swiss drivers Ulrich and Wurgler will have a chance to represent their home country in Geneva, as well as Jozsef Dobrovitz who will have to win in Leipzig to be able to book his tickets for Switzerland.

NEWS FROM THE FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE
London (GBR), 16 December 2009

EDWARD AND TOTILLAS BREAK FREESTYLE RECORD - AGAIN! 
Sensational Dutch partnership set Olympia alight......

The Netherlands' Edward Gal and Moorlands Totillas set a new world record in the Grand Prix Freestyle for the third time this year when scoring 92.30% to win the fourth leg of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage series at the Grand Hall at Olympia in London tonight.  With another breath-taking performance that put him in an entirely different class to the rest of the 13-strong field, the nine year old stallion showed even more confidence than he displayed when taking Freestyle gold at the Alltech FEI European Championships at Windsor last August.  Stockholm winner Adelinde Cornelissen had a difficult evening with Parzival who was gripped with nervous tension and failed to give of his best, but this Dutch duo still held on for second place, while British hearts were lifted by a great third-spot finish for one of their all-time favourites, Carl Hester with Liebling 11. Press Release...

Lausanne, 15 December 2009

FEI TV FEATURED ON OVER 350 ONLINE PLATFORMS

The FEI is pleased to announce that its official video website FEI TV (www.feitv.org) has stretched its wings to conquer new ground, becoming the first and only equestrian channel available on Perform’s e-Player platform. Press Release...

Paris, 10 December 2009

GREEN AND GOLD TO RECOGNISE THE WORLD’S BEST JUMPING RIDER

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), in partnership with the FEI, today launched a major new initiative to recognize the world’s best rider according to the Rolex Rankings.

Starting at the 2009 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Paris, the leading rider will wear a Green & Gold armband featuring the words, “Number 1, The Rolex Rankings”, at FEI Jumping events throughout 2010.  Press Release...