The 2013 FEI General Assembly (GA) produced important outcomes for Australia, the most significant being the establishment of the Oceania Equestrian Federation (OEF) as a Continental Association.

 

FEI summary from the 2013 General Assembly can be found on the FEI website – click here.

 

Equestrian Australia (EA) CEO Grant Baldock said the outcomes of the 2013 FEI GA provided positive steps forward for the development of the sport in Australia.

 

“EA and Equestrian New Zealand (ENZ) have been lobbying the FEI to establish the regional group Oceania Equestrian Federation (OEF) for some time, as it will provide significant opportunity to build equestrian sport in the region.

 

“The formation of this group provides us with a strong voice on the international stage with the FEI and will allow us to better represent the interest of our riders, officials, coaches and others, at the FEI,” said Mr Baldock.

 

Both Australia and New Zealand put forward the recommendation to form the OEF that will sit alongside other Continental Associations such as European Equestrian Federation, Pan-American Equestrian Confederation and Asian Equestrian Federation.

 

In addition to establishing the Oceania Equestrian Federation, there were important changes made to the qualification process for Jumping and Dressage riders for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

 

Summary of the changes from the meeting that are of significance to Australia include:

 

Jumping – there are two (2) guaranteed spots for Group G (which is Australia’s group – see Olympic Group details) from the Regional Qualifier through to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.  This is a significant improvement for the qualification process for the Olympic Games as in the last Olympic cycle, there were only two (2) spots from Groups G & C combined. This will provide increased opportunity for Australia to qualify a team spot in Jumping at the Olympic Games.

 

Dressage – one (1) dedicated spot from Group G/F and four (4) countries from Group C, will be eligible to qualify from WEG into the Rio Olympic Games.  One (1) dedicated spot from Group G/F and four (4) countries from Group C*, will be eligible to qualify from the Regional Qualifier into the Rio Olympic Games.  This is an area Australia lobbied for as we now have the opportunity to qualify from WEG and a Regional Qualifiers – previously we have only had the opportunity to qualify from Regional Qualifiers.

 

* the four (4) countries from Group C are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

 

Dressage – For the Olympic rankings, the maximum number of results to count towards the Olympic rankings in Dressage was reduced from eight (8) to four (4), providing more opportunity for Southern Hemisphere countries to have riders listed in the rankings.

 

Endurance –the definition of ‘Officials required for International Endurance Events” has been modified to include wording specifying that “Foreign Officials cannot be resident in the same country or time zone in which the event is taking place.”

 

In addition to the changes to the Olympic qualification process and the rule changes (which Australia supported), EA was delighted with the appointment of Sue Cunningham to the FEI Para-Equestrian Committee.

 

“It was great to see Sue Cunningham recognised for her significant contribution to Para-Equestrian in being named a member of the FEI Para-Equestrian Committee. Sue’s appointment is significant for Australia and we wish her all the best in the new role.

 

“The appointment of Sue, combined with Paralympian Joann Formosa winning the FEI ‘Against all Odds Award’ demonstrates Australia’s strong position on the international Para Equestrian stage,” said Mr Baldock.