9 June 2004
 
- FEI Executive Board Meeting
- Samsung Super League Lucerne
- Samsung Nations Cup Series update
- FEI Jumping Committee Meeting
- CSI San Patrignano Preview
- Paraequestrian competitions in Austria and Belgium
- In Memoriam
 
FEI EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
 
The Executive Board met on 7 June 2004 at the FEI headquarters in Lausanne. Among the main topics discussed were the following:
 
Anti-Doping Rules
The Executive Board approved the FEI Anti-Doping Rules in adherence with the World Anti-Doping Code, as applied to Equestrian Sport under FEI jurisdiction. GRs art. 145.3 provides for the application of rules, annexes and modifications as needed from time to time to cover this topic.
 
FEI Medical Committee
Given that the FEI Ad Hoc Medical Committee will from now on be asked to perform more official duties, some of which are defined in both the FEI Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code, the Executive Board decided to change the Committee's statutes into a permanent one (to be provided for in the FEI Statutes) and name the Committee the FEI Medical Committee, the Sub Committee to the Judicial Committee.
 
Therapeutic Use Exemptions during the 2004 Olympic Games Following the IOC's request addressed to all IFs taking part in the forthcoming Olympic Games in Athens the Executive Board agreed to delegate the responsibility for issuing and refusing Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for the period from 30 July to 29 August 2004 to the IOC. This task will normally be performed by the FEI Medical Committee.
 
Alterations to the FEI World Cup Jumping Rules On the recommendation of the World Cup Jumping Working Group and the Jumping Committee the Executive Board, after thorough consideration, approved the proposed alterations to the FEI World Cup Jumping Rules. The alterations will be published in the next FEI Bulletin and on the FEI website.
 
CSI Invitation System
The rules for CSI Invitation System to be used for CSI 3* and 4* events in the Regional Groups I & II were approved by the Executive Board. They will be effective for 2005 onwards. The exact wording of the Rules will be published in the next FEI Bulletin and on the FEI website.
 
Deadline for Candidatures for Committee members
Due to the recent passing away of one member of the Finance Committee and one member of the Judicial Committee the Executive Board decided to extend the deadline for candidatures for the new members to these Committees to 15 October 2004.
The date for receipt of candidatures from Groups III, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX to fill one vacancy on the Jumping Committee has been extended to 1 September 2004.
 
FEI Coaching System
Following the FEI Dressage Forum held in Sao Paulo (BRA) end of May it was noted that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on publicising information on FEI matters in general, and on the new Coaching System in particular. The Executive Board therefore agreed that the FEI Development Department now focuses on this task. 
 
The next meeting of the Executive Board will take place during the Olympic Games in Athens (GRE), on 23 August 2004.
 
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE
DUTCH DO IT AGAIN IN LUCERNE AND NOW LEADS THE STANDINGS
 
The Dutch masters did it again last Sunday (see Samsung Super League News
dated 6 June 2004) when sweeping to a decisive second successive victory in
the 2004 Samsung Super League in Lucerne and now stand top of the
leaderboard going into the midway stage of the series which moves to their
home ground in Rotterdam in two weeks time.
 
In a complete reversal of the inconsistent run of form they displayed during
the inaugural 2003 series the Dutch riders looked confident and determined
and Chef d'Equipe Bert Romp remarked afterwards "we learned a lot from our
Super League experience last year and today with four good riders and horses
we enjoyed another wonderful result".
 
Holland already held the lead at the end of the first round following clears
from brothers Wim Schroder (Eurocommerce Montreal) and Gerco Schroder
(Eurocommerce Monaco) and just a single time fault for Jan Tops with VDL
Groep Grand Dame while Leopold Van Asten provided the discount score with a
single rail down with VDL Groep Flash Rouge.
 
Germany, Britain, Italy and Switzerland were close behind with just four
faults each at the halfway stage while USA, France and Belgium were
joint-sixth ahead of the ever-struggling Irish with 12.
 
The footing in Lucerne was completely updated in recent years and, despite
several days of very heavy rain the going was excellent. Rotterdam has had
its problems in that regard on previous occasions but when the 2004 Samsung
Super League moves to the Dutch venue in two weeks time the home side,
winners there last year and now apparently on a roll, will be the ones to
beat.
 
RESULT:
Netherlands - 5 faults: Wim Schroder/Eurocommerce Montreal 0/0, Jan Tops/VDL
Groep Grand Dame 1/0, Leopold van Asten/VDL Groep Flash Rouge 4/4, Gerco
Schroder/Eurocommerce Monaco 0/DNS.
Equal 2. Belgium - 8 faults: Philippe Le Jeune/Cashmere van Schuttershof
8/4, Dirk Demeersman/Clinton 0/0, Stanny van Paesschen/O de Pomme 0/0, Ludo
Phillipaerts/Parco 8/0.
Equal 2. France - 8 faults: Florian Angot/First de Launay 4/0, Reynald
Angot/Tlaloc M 5/8, Gilles Bertrand de Ballanda/Crocus Graverie 0/0, Bruno
Broucqsault/Dileme de Cephe 4/0.
Equal 2. Germany - 8 faults: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum/Shutterfly 0/0,
Marco Kutscher/Montender 0/4, Lars Nieberg/Lucie 4/0, Ludger
Beerbaum/Goldfever 8/4.
 
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE 2004 LEADERBOARD (AFTER ROUND 3 IN LUCERNE):
The Netherlands - 21.5 points
Germany - 18.3 points
France - 15.3 points
Great Britain - 13.0 points
Belgium - 10.8 points
6. USA - 9 points
7. Italy - 6 points
8. Ireland - 3.5 points.
 
SAMSUNG NATIONS CUP SERIES
BRAZIL AND CANADA LEAD THE STANDINGS AFTER 4 EVENTS
 
Brazil and Canada are equal first of the 2004 Samsung Nations Cup Series
with both 7 points. They are followed by Switzerland with 6 points and
Sweden with 5 points. Brazil finished first in the third Samsung Nations Cup
of the season in Linz ((AUT), while Canada won the opening event in
Wellington (USA)
 
The 2004 season of the Series takes place over 19 four- and five-star
competitions organised in Europe, North and South America. It began in March
with CSIO Wellington, FL (USA) and ends with CSIO Buenos Aires (ARG) in
November. At the end of the season, the best nation of the Samsung Nations
Cup Series will be promoted to the Samsung Super League, the international
circuit only open to the world's best eight teams.
 
In 2003, 29 nations featuring their best riders and horses competed against
each other. After a strenuous battle during the whole season between
Switzerland and the USA, the American team won the last CSIO of the season
in Buenos Aires and finished first of the Series, thus winning their ticket
for the 2004 Samsung Super League.
 
There will be two events counting for the Samsung Nations Cup Series this
week-end: CSIO 4* Poznan (POL) and CSIO 4* Ypäjä (FIN).
 
More information on Ypäjä at www.hevosopisto.fi/finnderby. The press Officer
is Kirsti Piminäinen and can be reached at +358 40 8607 61
 
More information on Poznan at www.hipodromwola.pl. The Press officer is
Marek Lubawinski and can be reached at *48 602 352 103 or by email
Imarek@glos.com
 
CSIO Drammen (NOR) will take place the following week and information can be
obtained on www.dor.no, link to Norway Grand Prix.
 
 
FEI JUMPING COMMITTEE MEETING
La Baule (FRA), 10 May 2004
 
On the Monday following the CSIO in La Baule (FRA) the FEI Jumping Committee
held the first of its two meetings in 2004. Among the items on the agenda
for discussion were the following:
 
- A Working Group was established to review the criteria for the selection
of CSIO Super League events.
- The introduction of an Arab World Cup League was accepted for the coming
World Cup season with two riders to qualify from this League for the World
Cup Final.
- A Working Group was also created with the task of producing rules which
would protect CSIO Super League events and World Cup events.
- Advertising on the rider's hat was considered and a proposal will be
presented to the FEI Bureau for approval.
- The Bureau will be requested to accept limited participation in the second
round of the team competition at the 2005 European Championship. Individuals
and team members, maximum 50, wishing to qualify for the Individual Final
competition will be permitted to use the second round of the team
competition for this purpose. This will not affect the number of teams
entitled to take part in the second round of the team competition as
specified in the current rules. The rules established for participation in
the second round of the team competition at the 2008 Olympic Games will
therefore also apply for the 2005 European Championship.
- The use of laser obstacles will only be permitted in show competitions at
international events.
- The present rotation of the European Jumping Championship was discussed
and it was decided that this Championship should continue to be held every
two years.
- Bureau approval will be sought for the introduction of European
Championships for Veteran Riders.
- FEI Executive Board approval will be requested for the wording governing
the CSI Invitation System, which will apply for 3 and 4 star CSI events in
Groups I and II only from 1 January 2005.
- A Working Group was created for the purpose of establishing criteria
according to which timing systems used at all international events will be
tested and approved.
- Criteria for Grand Prix qualification were established.
A meeting of footing experts will be held following which a list of FEI recognised footing experts will be drawn-up.
A seminar for Technical Delegates will be held in 2005. Participation will be limited to selected individuals.
 
 
EUROPEAN TRIALS AT THIS YEAR'S CSIO SAN PATRIGNANO
 
The 8th edition of the "Challenge Vincenzo Muccioli"  CSI 4*  is to be held in San Patrignano's equestrian centre next  23 to 25July.  This event represents the last and most important test  for the drug rehabilitation community before next year's European Show Jumping Championships, which will take place at San Patrignano in July 2005.
 
"For us, this summer's CSI is a sort of dress rehearsal", stated Giacomo Muccioli, son of the community's founder and president of the organizing committee.  He added,"Our show is the only one in the world held in a drug rehabilitation facility.  Next year, thanks to the trust given to us by the Italian Equestrian Federation and the FEI, we will host the continent's most prestigious competition."
 
The Italian course designer Marco Cartinovis, who has been hired for the 2005 Championship, will build the courses this year's CSI. Cortinovis. 

The CSI will be one of the last important CSI  4* on the jumping calendar before the Olympic Games.
 
Media interested shall contact Carlo Bozzo, press officer
tel. +39 0541 362111 - fax +39 0541 759799 -  pressoffice@sanpatrignano.org
-  www.sanpatrignano.org
 
PARAEQUESTRIAN
2ND AUSTRIAN OPEN INTERNATIONAL IPEC COMPETITION
 
The 2nd Austrian Open International IPEC Competition was held at Reiterzentrum Kreuttal, North of Vienna from 20 to 22 May 2004, in conjunction with the Austrian National Championships.
 
 Seven nations with 11 riders took part in the Dressage Competitions. All four grades were represented. The highest overall score was 73%, and the lowest overall score was 51%.  In general the competition had a high standard.
 
 
1st INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC DRESSAGE COMPETITION IN MOORSELE (BEL)
 
The event took place from 20 to 23 May 2004 and was organised by the same Organising Committee as for the 5th World Dressage Championship 2003, the Riding Club Quadrille.
 
Sixty-one riders from 14 nations took part in the competitions.
 
Several additional programmes were organised in the frame of the event such as a Symposium on Osteopathy in Sports for Athletes with disability, and a Dressage clinic for visually impaired riders.
 
 
IN MEMORIAM
 
Egon von Neindorff (GER), for decades a prominent German riding instructor, died recently, aged 80. In 1949 he founded in Karlsruhe a Riding Institute which became famous worldwide, both for the number of top Dressage horses it produced and for the exhibitions the school gave over the year.