FEI Approves Olympic qualification system and new rules hind boots

FEI Approves Olympic qualification system and new rules hind boots
Just before closing the 2017 FEI General Assembly, the FEI President made special presentations to individuals leaving the FEI, starting with the Chair of the Nominations Committtee, Andrew Finding, and Chair of the FEI Tribunal Erik Elstad.

Outgoing Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee Giuseppe Della Chiesa, who finished an eight-year term at the General Assembly, was also appointed as an Honorary Bureau Member.

John Madden, outgoing 1st Vice President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee, and was made Honorary Vice President of the FEI.

The FEI President also made presentations to Rudolfo Rodriguez, President of the Uruguayan National Federation, and Guillermo (Willy) Lockhart Secretary General of the Uruguayan National Federation, thanking them for generosity in hosting the General Assembly

Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games update

Tokyo2020 Equestrian Sport Manager Haruta Yasuhiko gave a progress report to the General Assembly, talking delegates through the two venues at Baji Koen and Sea Forest. He talked through the history of Baji Koen, which was used for the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, its location, construction timelines as well as an overview of quarantine and stabling plans. The project is on schedule with a very high standard of equestrian facilities planned with support from the Japan Racing Association. Demolition of the old facilities at the main site at Baji Koen has now been completed and construction work will commence next year.

The Olympic Test Event is provisionally scheduled for August 10-12 2019, with Dressage and Jumping at Baji Koen and cross country at Sea Forest.

Jumping 

The General Assembly voted separately on the phased implementation of the rule from 2019 that only hind boots used solely for protective purposes, as described in the FEI Jumping Stewards’ Manual, may be used in FEI Competitions. The proposal was approved.

The timeline for implementation is as follows:

·       For implementation on 1 January 2019: for Pony Riders, Children, Amateur Owners and Veterans.

·       For implementation as of 1 January 2020: for Juniors, Young Riders and U-25.

·       For implementation on 1 January 2021: for all FEI Jumping Competitions.

The phased introduction of this rule takes into account the current Olympic qualification cycle.

The proposal for CSI Invitation Rules (Annex V) was also voted on separately and approved.

The remaining changes and modifications to the Jumping Rules were approved en bloc.