FEI debates future of Equestrian Sport
The Fédération Équestre Internationale (trans. International Equestrian Federation) has announced that a debate will be held on the future of equestrian sports. The 2012 Sports Forum, which will be held in Lausanne (SUI) from 30th April 2012 to 2nd May 2012, will be open to all National Federations and FEI Stakeholders. Members of the press will also be present.
The Forum will hear detailed presentations from delegates on proposed rule changes for Jumping, Eventing, Endurance and Veterinary matters.
The debate on the future of equestrian sport comes after warnings from the FEI's first elected President that the inclusion of equestrian sports within the Olympics is becoming precarious. Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who also represented her country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and serves on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), warned after the last Olympics that equestrian sports might not survive in the Olympic line-up after 2012.
“The IOC have heard from our stakeholders and wrote to us about the set-up and presentation of dressage. The popularity of dressage is abnormally low and there are complaints about judging and the make up of judging panels and committees,” said Her Royal Highness.
“The IOC has very reasonable and legitimate concerns about eventing safety and the way the dressage committee is working. It could also be the end of show jumping as an Olympic sport, too, as they are unlikely to leave it on its own. But walking away and saying ‘thank God nobody died,’ isn’t good enough.”
Registration for the Forum opens on 6th February 2012. The registration process closes on 15th March 2012.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
