International Dressage Officials Club Statement

At its General Assembly in Stuttgart, November 20th, 2009, the International Dressage Officials Club (formerly IDJC) expressed its grave concern regarding the abusive treatment of horses during the warm-up phase at FEI competitions. The recent publicity has created a public outcry that cannot be ignored and is clearly bringing the sport of dressage into a state of disrepute.

Picture Holger Schupp www.holgerschupp.de

The International Dressage Officials Club wholeheartedly supports all officials at FEI competitions in their efforts to bring this intolerable behaviour under control, in order to prevent any further perceived abuse of all horses being ridden under FEI rules. Competing at a dressage event is not limited to the short time spent in the actual competition area; it includes stable management in general, as well as the more extensive time spent in the warm-up and training arenas. The International Dressage Officials Club urges the FEI to bring clarification to the rules that FEI Stewards are expected to enforce and to provide the necessary back-up and support to their Stewards when needed.
It is in the International Dressage Officials Club’s opinion that those rules, applicable to all equestrian disciplines, should re-emphasize the fact that any type of abuse of the horse is strictly prohibited. With respect to hyper-flexion, it should be made clear that it is a tool that may only be used briefly and solely for corrective purposes, but not as a continuous training method. Further attention should be directed at observing that the horse’s chin should not touch the horse’s body as a result of a method of training. The International Dressage Officials Club recommends that judges be present in the warmup area whenever possible to support the Stewards in this difficult and delicate task.
The FEI rules are based on the philosophy of the horse as a happy athlete, which implies riding in harmony avoiding negative tensions and practices harmful to the horse. In this respect, the International Dressage Officials Club will remind all the dressage judges to strictly observe such an important aspect of dressage, first and foremost to preserve the welfare of the horse but also to give a proper positive image of our sport to the public and the media.
Last but not least, the International Dressage Officials Club would also like to point out that is it clearly in the best interests of our sport that the International Dressage Trainers
Club and International Dressage Riders Club take responsibility for the actions of its members and are on hand at future competitions to ensure that their members are made fully aware of how to convey a correct impression to the public by treating their horses fairly and with respect.

(Source: Press release IDOC former IDJC, December 1)

FEI delays implementation of new prohibited substances list to 5 April 2010

The FEI has announced 1 December that the FEI Bureau has passed a Resolution delaying implementation of the new Equine Prohibited Substances List and the accompanying Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations until 5 April 2010. This Resolution has been passed in order to allow for broader debate and consultation on the policy change approved at the recent FEI General Assembly regarding the restricted use of a small number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
 
The FEI recognizes that a number of issues arise as a result of this policy change, which was voted in by a majority of 53-48 at the meeting in Copenhagen on 19 November. The change in policy will affect National Federations and organizers who must comply with state laws as well as international competition rules. It has implications for the breeding industry and the selection of horses and may impact on all those concerned with animal welfare. It also affects the laboratories involved in the testing procedures. The decision, which reversed the 1993 ban on phenylbutazone, has provoked considerable debate among FEI stakeholders.
 
The FEI acknowledges that these concerns are all legitimate and feels that there is clearly a need for further debate on the issue. The delayed implementation of the new Equine Prohibited Substances List will also allow for supplementary research to be carried out on the use of NSAIDs in the competition horse.
 
“The FEI has been criticized for not providing sufficient time for consultation on the substances that differentiate the new policy from the old and there has also been widespread unease about the late publication of the progressive list”, FEI President HRH Princess Haya said today. “Views that have been expressed since the vote are being taken extremely seriously by the FEI as legitimate welfare concerns and we give similar importance to our membership’s decision to effect a policy change. In light of both these considerations, we felt it was only fair to delay implementation of the new list to allow everyone to have their say and let other veterinary experts look at the science behind this policy change.
 
“The controversy surrounding the List has almost completely overshadowed the clean sport campaign, which received overwhelming support at the General Assembly. Now we can allow the focus to return to the wonderful work that has been undertaken by the Joint-Commissions chaired by Professor Arne Ljungqvist and Lord Stevens, which has provided a clear roadmap for the delivery of clean sport.”
 
To date no specific requests regarding this issue have been directed to the FEI by the National Federations. On 30 November, two National Federations, the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) forwarded press statements to the FEI highlighting their positions. The two statements reflect the ongoing debate on this issue, with the BEF expressing opposition to the new Equine Prohibited Substances List and the USEF expressing support. Both statements requested postponing implementation of the List.

(Source: FEI Press release, December 1)

P.S.I. celebrates 30th edition

Paul Schockemöhle & Ullrich Kasselmann, friends, partner, sportsmen and trainers wrote history in equestrian sports. They also founded the worldwide most important private riding horse auctions: Performance Sales International (P.S.I) and the younger ‘sister’ named Ankumer Open Sales (AOS).
2009 is another anniversary year. Schockemöhle and Kasselmann will commemorate 30 years “Performance Sales International”(P.S.I. Auction). They will be happy to receive lost of visitors to join in the celebrations of this jubilee December 12 and 13.
Each year, P.S.I.-auctions feature an exclusive collection of young dressage and show jumping horses. A huge number of national and international Grand Prix and Championship horses accompanied the 30-year old history of success of P.S.I.-auctions.
Former auction horses like Grunox, Brillant, Cappucino, Weinrausch, Lord Sinclair, Poetin, Livello, Der Stern, Mambo Nr. 5, Whizzkid, Triviant, Lawarino, Pozitano, Epsom Gesmeray, P.S. Priamos, Pilot's High Fly, Quifilio, Ramonus Z, H.S. Europa, L´Espoir, Paparazzi, Quin Chin, Caballero and many others more confirmed their extraordinary quality in the dressage arena or in the show jumping ring. They considerably contributed to the excellent international reputation of this auction.
“If you are looking for a rough diamond, a highly-gifted competition prospect or a potential FEI level sport horse, then you’ve come to the right place”, Ulrich Kasselmann says.

Interested in the collection? Follow the live-Stream presentation Saturday, 5th of December 2009, 6 p.m. (MET) at www.psi-auktion.de .

Exquis World Dressage Masters 2010 Schedule Announced

The 2010 schedule of the Exquis World Dressage Masters, the globe’s richest line up of competitions each with €100,000 (US$149,850) in prize money, was announced last week.
A WDM Rider Ranking award of €25,000 (US$37,000) is also offered by Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe at WDM in Munich in 2010. Munich will also be the venue for a WDM gala celebration.

Moorlands Totilas ridden by Edward Gal in the victory gallop at Exquis World Dressage Masters in Hickstead, England in 2009. The result placed Gal at the top of the Nürnberger WDM Rider Rankings going into 2010. © 2009 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

The 2010 schedule of confirmed competitions of the Exquis World Dressage Masters, founded by Exquis and also sponsored by Moorland Stables and Moorland Investments and Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe, is:
* Feb. 4-6 - Palm Beach, Florida, USA
* May 13-16 - Munich, Germany
* July 29-Aug. 1, Hickstead, England
All three venues hosted an Exquis World Dressage Masters in its inaugural year in 2009.
The City of Cannes, on the French Riviera, was also among the 2009 shows. As the date in 2010 places it amidst the national championships in both The Netherlands and Germany, participation in 2010 is being reviewed.
Discussions are also being held with organizers of other premier horse shows to host a World Dressage Masters event next year.

Anthony M. Kies, founder of Exquis World Dressage Masters, said: “The World Dressage Masters in 2010 promises to raise the sport to even higher levels of quality and participation in Europe and North America. We could not be happier that Exquis and our partners and sponsors have achieved so much in such a short time. The future is, indeed, very bright.”
Kees Visser, whose Moorland Stables and Moorland Investments is a major sponsor, said: “As sponsor, we are pleased that within one year of starting the WDM the fixtures are already highlights among the dressage community. The formula has produced world records and brings in the best riders in the world such as Isabell Werth and Anky van Grunsven, both gold medallist of the last Olympics, and Edward Gal, European Champion in team and Freestyle.”

The Rider Rankings award takes into account the results of Cannes and Hickstead in 2009 and Palm Beach and Munich in 2010. The Munich Final promises extra excitement as double points are offered for the award. Prior to the final, Munich will present a gala celebration.

NÜRNBERGER Versicherungsgruppe WDM Rider Ranking
(after WDM, Hickstead 2009)

Rank   Rider           Nation Points
  1.    Edward Gal   NED 1020
  2.    Marc Boblet   FRA 945
  3.    Adelinde Cornelissen  NED 870
  4.    Laura Bechtolsheimer  GBR 855
  5.    Catherine Haddad  USA 855
  6.    Daniel Pinto   POR 855
  7.    Imke Schellekens-Bartels NED 780
  8.    Anky van Grunsven  NED 750
  9.    Ashley Holzer   CAN 750
10.    Hans Peter Minderhoud NED 615
11.    Kyra Kyrklund   FIN 615
12.    Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein DEN 585
13.    Leslie Morse   USA 585
14.    Fiona Bigwood   GBR 570
15.    Jordi Domingo   ESP 558
16.    Jeroen Devroe   BEL 540
17.    Anders Dahl   DEN 510
18.    Maria Eilberg   GBR 495
19.    Anja Plönzke   GER 495
20.    Michal Rapcewicz  POL 470
21.    Stefan van Ingelgem  BEL 450
22.    Judy Harvey   GBR 435
23.    Anne van Uytert  NED 420
24.    Evi Strasser   CAN  405
25.    Sarah Jane Elmslie  GBR 405
26.    Jane Gregory   GBR  390
27.    Constance Menard   FRA 375
28.    Dane Rawlins   GBR 375
29.    Marc Peter Spahn  BEL 360
30.    Remy Issartel   FRA 360

Caroline Finch has been so inspired by world record holder Grand Prix and Freestyle Moorlands Totilas, whom she called a ‘Living Legend’, that she created a calendar. Those interested can take a look at her website or mail to her at dressagephotographer@talktalk.net Find more at www.caroline-finch.co.uk

FEI Year of the Youth near

Young equine enthusiasts from around the country are expected to attend The EQUUS Foundation/USEF Youth Convention on Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky. The Youth Convention, now in its third year, is held in conjunction with the USEF Annual Meeting for the purpose of uniting youth as well as for growing equine interest and participation.
The Convention is sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation to support the Youth Council goals to: 1) Provide strong and creative youth leadership for all equestrian sport in the United States; 2) Promote the pursuit of excellence in horsemanship from the grass roots to the top levels; 3) Advance the level of horsemanship across all disciplines throughout the United States; 4) Generate interest between competitors and enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines; and 5) Educate members and the public about equestrian sport.

To learn more about the USEF Youth Council, visit the USEF website link at www.usef.org. Please direct any inquires to Jennifer Mellenkamp, USEF Youth Programs Director, 859.225.6955 or jmellenkamp@usef.org.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. Over $1.3 million in grants have been awarded since the first awards in 2003. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, website: www.equusfoundation.org.