Endurance GB to attend FEI Sports Forum on 'Reshaping Endurance

Endurancegb.co.uk

Endurance GB has confirmed that the organisation will be represented at this week’s International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Sports Forum taking place in Lausanne (15-16 April).

The entire programme on Tuesday 16 April, the second day of the Forum, is being dedicated to the sport of endurance and Endurance GB will be represented by Chair, Rebecca Kinnarney and International Chair, John Robertson. The Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation, Nick Fellows will also be in attendance.

The Endurance Temporary Committee, which is chaired by former British Team Vet Dr Sarah Coombs, will present over three sessions the work it has done since its creation in October 2018, with what it describes as an emphasis on the Committee’s philosophy for changing the approach of athletes and officials to the sport.

Members of the Temporary Committee include Valerie Kanavy (USA), the former athlete representative on the Endurance Committee, Tarek Taher (KSA), an international Endurance athlete elected by his peers as a member of the FEI Athletes’ Committee last year; Pieter Wiersinga (NED), chef d’équipe of the Dutch Endurance team, a Police Commissioner and former Head of the Mounted Police in the Netherlands; and Dr Tim Parkin (GBR), who was elected onto the FEI Veterinary Committee and who heads up the scientific research conducted at the University of Glasgow as part of the FEI’s Global Endurance Injuries Study (GEIS).

The programme for the day is headed Reshaping Endurance and will cover three sessions between 9am and 3.30pm;

· Qualification of Horses and Athletes: reducing welfare risks;

· Educating Officials and correct application of the rules and

· Improvements and innovations to reshape Endurance.


There will be a two-hour closing session to allow for contributions from delegates.

In a statement, the FEI has said that open dialogue between the Temporary Committee, the FEI and the audience will be encouraged.

Rebecca Kinnarney said: “We are there to represent our members and the values and ethos upheld at every level by everyone involved in the sport in this country and will be robust in sharing our views on the way forward.

She added: “Endurance GB’s core objective is the promotion of a safe sport bringing health and wellbeing benefits to horse and rider through endurance competition and training and we are here for everyone at whatever level they participate. Central to this, the Society exists to promote and uphold at all times the highest standards of horse welfare and clean sport.”

The FEI Sports Forum sessions will be live streamed here.