2015 FEI General Assembly wrap up

       FEI General Assembly 2015 in San Juan, Puerto Rico (PUR)          Photo: FEI/Richard Juilliart

 

The final day of the FEI General Assembly 2015 has taken place in San Juan with member National Federations voting on a wide range of topics; a total of 100 of the 134 member National Federations were represented, 75 in-person and 25 by proxy.

Modifications and changes to FEI Regulations, Eventing and Veterinary Matters of particular importance to our readers are highlighted below. Click here to read the full document

 

MODIFICATIONS TO FEI REGULATIONS

The General Assembly approved the modifications to the FEI General Regulations.

 

The main changes include:

•Applications and allocations of FEI-named events

•Advertising on athletes and horses and promotion

•Horse passports and microchips

•Protective headgear

•Protests, appeals

 

The 23rd edition of the FEI General Regulations, effective 13 November 2015, will be published on the FEI website here

 

 

EVENTING

An independent audit presented by Charles Barnett (GBR) illustrates the ongoing commitment to ensuring the FEI Risk Management Policy and Action plan is endorsed and implemented by all involved in equestrian sport.

 

Key recommendations from the independent audit include:

•reinforcement of qualifications for all 4star events specifically for the lower category athletes

•Improve analysis of annual review data, indicators and trends in order to monitor the impact of rule changes and rule proposals

•explore new methods to collect data in events and on fences (headcams on fence judges),

•optimise the dissemination of the study findings to Course Designers and Technical Delegates

•continue to review safety equipment, medical information collection

 

The General Assembly approved modifications to the FEI Eventing Rules. The main changes include:

 

•A modification of the minimum eligibility requirements for 4* events to be effective as of 4 July 2016 to allow an implementation time

•National Federations were urged to provide further thoughts for the overall revision of rules in 2016 to be reviewed by the committee

 

The FEI Eventing Rules, 24th edition with updates effective 1 January 2016, will be published on the FEI website here

Read about the new Event Rider Masters Series 2016 here

 

VETERINARY MATTERS

The General Assembly approved the modifications to the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

The Chair of the Veterinary Committee, John McEwen, gave detailed information about the global Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Programme (EADCMP), which will be progressively rolled out during 2016. The Programme

will be coordinated from FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), with the Veterinary Department managing its administration, including the selection of events at which testing will take place and the number of horses to be sampled. Additionally, testing will now be increased at lower level events as determined by the FEI Veterinary Department.

Other changes for 2016 include permitting the use of the GnRH vaccine, subject to it being recorded in the horse passport, and prohibiting the use of tongue ties.

In addition, under the new FEI Veterinary Regulations, National Federations are required to upload horses’ description page and diagram to the FEI database prior to competition.

The FEI Veterinary Regulations, 13th edition, with updates effective 1 January 2016, will be published on the FEI website here

 

EQUINE ANTI-DOPING AND CONTROLLED MEDICATION REGULATIONS (EADCMRs)

The General Assembly approved the proposed changes to the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs), including the Specified Substances concept.

The purpose is to recognise that it is possible for a substance to enter a Horse’s system inadvertently, and therefore allow the FEI and/or the FEI Tribunal more flexibility when prosecuting a case or when making a sanctioning decision.

The revised EADCMRs will be implemented on 1 January 2016.