FEI General Assembly 2012

8 November 2012

The FEI General Assembly 2012 took place in Istanbul, Turkey 5-8 November in the presence of 252 delegates. One hundred and four National Federations – 80 in person and 24 by proxy – took part in the Assembly’s proceedings.

The General Assembly is the yearly meeting of the National Federations and is the supreme authority of the FEI. Elections are held at the Assembly and decisions are made with regard to issues such as changes to FEI Statutes, approvals of long-term strategies and FEI budgets. 
 
All decisions are taken by vote and each National Federation has a right to cast a vote. If for any reason a National Federation is unable to attend they may be represented by another National Federation, however one National Federation may not represent more than two other Federations at a General Assembly.

Essentially, the purpose of the General Assembly is to give the National Federations an opportunity to vote on important Equestrian issues. The Assembly will govern the overall direction, development and management of the FEI’s disciplines throughout the world for the coming year.

ENDURANCE

The FEI Rules Endurance for Endurance Events were completely reviewed in 2012 and the new 8th edition which will come into effect on 1 January 2013 for the next four years includes 14 major changes which reflect the ongoing development of the discipline. The main changes concern:

• The minimum number of vet gates introduced at lower distance events and confirmation of a minimum distance for the final phase;

• Introduction of an FEI appointed course designer for Championships;

• Field of play now identified and the notion of allowed access defined;

• Further clarification on minimum dress code;

• Novice qualification now extended to include a free speed competition and a minimum of four other events;

• Minimum rest periods for horses extended to include national events and also the number of rest days amended to allow for weekend events on either a Saturday or Sunday;

• Creation of an elite status for J/YR and senior athletes allowing such elite athletes to ‘fast track’ certain parts of Championship qualification;

• Invitations to CEIOs and Championships now reduced to a maximum of five athletes and seven horses;

• At CEIOs and Championships, results from all combinations from the same nation are available to that nation to establish the team score (best three to count - only three medals to be awarded).

• At CEI 1*, 2* and 3* events, athletes may present up to two horses at the first inspection and declare their horse of choice immediately after the horse(s) passes the inspection;

• The present voting system for lameness assessment has been extended to include metabolic assessment that can result in the removal of a horse from the competition, failing to qualify for the next phase;

• New ‘Best Condition’ rules introduced to better reflect the degree and extent of assessment of each horse.

• Changes to the number and star level of FEI officials at lower level event to assist organisers with the costs of hosting an event.

• FEI involvement when necessary regarding appointment of officials at CEIs to ensure adequate rotation and address potential conflicts of interest.

The Rules will be available on the FEI website on THIS PAGE.

A summary of the main decisions taken by the Assembly is available HERE.