February 6, 2004 

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
 
The Executive Board held its first meeting of the year on 4 February 2004 in Madrid. Among the main topics discussed were the following:
 
- 2004 Final of the Children's International Jumping Competitions On the recommendation of the Children's Committee the Executive Board allocated the 2004 Final to Simi Valley, California, USA. The date will be confirmed within the next few weeks.

- Chairman of the Driving Committee
The Executive Board accepted the resignation of the Jack Pemberton (CAN) as Chairman of the Driving Committee and appointed the Deputy Chairman, Mr Jack Nichols (USA), as Acting Chairman. 
 
- Registration of Riders
The Executive Board approved the principle of introducing registration of riders in all disciplines, which would be based on the experience of registration accomplished so far for Eventing.
 
- Driving Rules
The Executive Board approved some minor wording amendments to the Rules for Driving events, as recommended by the Driving Committee.
 
- 2004 Olympic Games Athens
In view of the 2nd Vice President's/ Technical Delegate's forthcoming visit to Athens the Executive Board reviewed the issues needing immediate attention and action from ATHOC in order to ensure successful equestrian competitions.
 
- 2004 General Assembly
The Agenda for the 2004 General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Paris in April, as well as the topics of the Open Forum were reviewed and amended.

The Executive Board members further discussed in detail a number of issues relating to: the World Cup, the Nations Cup, the possibilities of organising Samsung Super League events in the USA, Las Vegas' application for the World Cup Final in Dressage, and others. 
The next meeting will take place on 11 March 2004 in Lausanne (SUI).

FEI WORLD CUP JUMPING
 
This week-end, Bordeaux hosts the next FEI World Cup Qualifier on Saturday, 7 February, at the Parc des Expositions. No less than five champions will jump in Bordeaux (three European Champions, the world Champion and the Olympic champion) including World No 2 Ludger Beerbaum. It will be the first time in 10 years than World No 1, Markus Fuchs is not competing in Bordeaux (see article above).
 
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE
 
The National Federations of the qualified nations for the 2004 season of the Samsung Super League have now all confirmed their participation to the FEI. The 8 nations qualified for 2004 are: Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and the USA. 
 
FEI VET QUARTERLY NEWS
 
The future of equestrian sports can only be secured if the welfare of the involved horses is well protected. A competitive use of the horse as an athlete in sports, with its dependency on the rider to decide when the limits of performance have been reached, necessitates the presence of a veterinary safety net. Veterinary matters run through all FEI disciplines like a 'red thread', whether it is in the form of regulations, drug testing or research programmes.