The FEI Dressage Committee held its first annual meeting in Aachen (GER) on 21 – 23 May. Dr Dieter Schuele (GER) attended his first meeting. The following items of interest were discussed, among others:

Officials’ appointments 2007- The Committee selected the officials to be appointed to FEI Championships, Games, the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, League Finals as well as foreign judges at Western European League FEI World Cup Dressage qualifiers.

FEI Seminars and Courses 2006 - Financial assistance was granted to Germany and Thailand following course/seminar/forum applications for 2006.

Promotion of Judges - The Committee agreed to recommend to the FEI Bureau the promotion to the status of Official International Judge as from 1 January 2007 for Minako Furuoka (JAP), Wim Ernes (NED), Ann Gribbons (USA) and Gary Rockwell (USA).

Replacement of members 2007 - The Committee agreed to recommend to the FEI Bureau the appointment of Dolores Fernández de Bobadilla (ESP), as a new member to replace Sjef Janssen (NED). The outgoing riders’ representative will be replaced by Monica Theodorescu (GER).

New level of CDI event - As from 1 January 2007, a new level of event will be introduced, CDI 4-star, with a minimum level of prize money.

Hyperflexion - The reactions received regarding the outcome of the Veterinary/Dressage Workshop held in January in Lausanne regarding Hyperflexion were discussed together with the next steps to be taken in cooperation with the FEI Veterinary Committee.

FEI World Cup Dressage 2006/2007 - The Committee made some minor amendments to the FEI World Cup Dressage Rules for the upcoming season and also set the calendar for the Western European League. The Committee further finalised the Rules for the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage 2006. It was decided to scratch the B-final as from 2008. The FEI World Cup Dressage formula would be further discussed at the Committee’s fall meeting.

Rule amendments - The members discussed and would recommend some minor changes and clarifications to the rules in relation to, amongst other things, open scoring/running score at CDIs; clock/bell; new medals for Junior and Young Rider Championships; composit team competitions at combined CDI3*/CDIY events.