The Eventing Committee held its first annual meeting at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).

The main matters discussed that will be submitted for the approval of the Bureau were the following:

- 2008 Olympic Games
The Eventing Committee finalized a new 4 Star Dressage Test B (2007) for the 2008 Olympic Games taking into account the very special conditions of Hong Kong. (This test is a short version (4½ minutes) of the current 2007 B test). This test will be presented to the Dressage Committee and to the Bureau in April for immediate introduction. It will be published on the FEI website mid April.

- Appointment of Officials for the Eventing Olympic Games competition

2008 Olympic Games (CHN)

GROUND JURY

President: Mr Martin Plewa GER

Members
Mr Christian Landolt SUI
Mrs Marilyn Payne USA

FOREIGN TECHNICAL DELEGATE: Mr Giuseppe Della Chiesa ITA

Assistant TD: Mr Andrew Griffiths GBR

APPEAL COMMITTEE - Eventing Member: Anna-Mette Binder DEN

COURSE DESIGNER: Mr Michael Etherington Smith GBR

Eventing Chief Steward: Mr Jürgen Petershagen GER

- New Four star Event in 2007
The Committee confirmed the allocation of a 4 Star status to Pau (FRA) for 3 years, as the Organisation Committee fulfils the FEI requirement for the attribution of a 4 Star level event.

- 2008 FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses - Le Lion d’Angers (FRA)
The Committee has reviewed the entry system for the Young Horse Championships to be held in Le Lion d’Angers (FRA). A quota per Nation as well as a ballot system related to the FEI World Eventing Rider Rankings will be introduced to solve the issue of excessive entries. Breeding information will be streamlined through the WBFSH Studbook Members.

- FEI World Cup™ Final
Projects for the FEI World Cup™ Final for 2008 or event using the FEI World Cup™ Qualifiers as basis were being discussed and a deadline set to mid-April for the confirmation of this project. As soon as more information will be forthcoming, all FEI World Cup™ Qualifiers OCs and NFs involved will be informed.

- FEI Eventing Safety Program
The 2006 report and statistics were reviewed and the documents are now available on the FEI website under the following reference: “Eventing – Safety – 2006 Report of Eventing Safety / 2006 Statistics."

The Eventing Committee acknowledged the following recommendations to be integrated in the FEI rules following the specific review of the accident at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, as follows:
- The FEI will have to negotiate the protocol of press relations and crisis plan before any major competition.
- Need to produce guidelines and procedures for the on site ad-hoc investigation committee.
- Media training recommended for Championships’ TDs and Ground Jury as part of their education.
- Presence of all key officials including CD, during the Cross Country competition.
– Introduction of Qualification criteria for Low level Championships and Games on CIC level.
- At major Championships/Games level communication during the Event must be in one language.

- 2007 Rules for Eventing
The Committee agreed to propose the following changes to the rules to the Bureau at their meeting in April 2007 for immediate implementation after the General Assembly in April 2007, as the proposal all referred to safety measures.
? Qualifications’ requirements at regional multi sport Games of CIC level: minimum 2 qualifications (1 must be CIC), 12 months prior to the Championship/Games.
? Stopping rider on course – Dangerous Riding: The President of the Ground Jury to designate an Official (i.e. TD, Chief Steward) prior to the event to stop a rider on course for dangerous riding by using the red flag.
? At Championships/Games level Control communication must be in English.
? Course Designer to be present on Cross Country day. If the appointed Course Designer cannot be present, a qualified CD of at least “Candidate” status, familiar with the course can be appointed to replace him and take responsibility should any problem occur during the competition.
? Measuring top spreads of Cross Country fences – a diagram providing information on measurements for top spreads Cross Country fences will be included in the rules.
? Jumping safety cups - the use of 20mm safety cups for the Olympic Games/Major Championships

Other rules clarifications for implementation in 2007:
? Black Flag Alternative Diagram: a clarification diagram will be added to the rules in order to determinate fences’ combination alternative designated by black flags.
? Dressage Spurs: metal or plastic spurs with metal knobs will be allowed in the Dressage test, as they are horse-user-friendly.
? Rowels’ Spurs for Jumping: riders using rowels’ spurs in the Jumping test should not be automatically eliminated, it will be up to the discretion of the Ground Jury to decide on sanction.
? Appointments of Judges: It was clarified that Status of Judges give the position on the Ground Jury for lower level events. Ie: The FEI Judge (“I” or “C”) must be appointed as President of the Ground Jury if there is a national Judge as second Judge. - If there is an “I” Judge appointed for an event, he should be recommended as President over the “C” Judge.
? Restriction on number of categories per event per TD: The directive published in Bulletin 5/2006, was clarified and updated; it will serve as a guideline until officially approved in 2009, as follows:
Due to qualification rules and reduced number of events of some categories in some regions, certain Organizers propose up to 5 different categories/levels of events, with the same TD. It was agreed to limit the number of categories of events in which one TD can officiate to maximum 2. If one or two additional categories are included, 1 additional TD must be appointed. Should 5 categories be organised at the same event, 2 additional TDs must be appointed. The status of additional TDs must be in accordance with the level of categories organised.

- 2009 Rules for Eventing
? Conflict of Interest: the directives published in Bulletin 5/2006 were clarified and updated; they will serve as guidelines until officially approved in 2009, as follows:
“All levels of Eventing Championships: For all categories of FEI Officials (Judge/ TD/Course Designers/Veterinarians) no conflict of interest is acceptable; family, trainer, coaching, owner relation, national selection committee. Course walks for own competitors is considered inappropriate (however open course walks encouraged) for all FEI Officials.
3*/4* Level events: As of arrival on the competition grounds, Judges and TD cannot have any conflict of interest as per above, however for Course Designers it is acceptable, providing the conflict is declared to the FEI Secretary General. For all FEI Officials Course walks for own competitors is considered inappropriate (however open course walks encouraged).
1*/2* level events: As of arrival on the competition grounds, Officials cannot have any conflict of interest as per above, special consideration, providing the conflict is declared to the FEI Secretary General can be acceptable. For all FEI Officials Course walks for own competitors is considered inappropriate (however open course walks encouraged).
Note: Coaching includes the walking of courses, the warming up of competitors for dressage or jumping on the flat.”

The Committee considered the following changes to the rules for the 2009 revision.
? New Eventing 1 Star Dressage Test B (2007) will be introduced in 2009. The test will be compulsory for the 2009 Eventing European Junior Championships.
? Scoring: The Committee agreed to propose for the 2009 rules revision the deletion of the dressage coefficient and 0.5 time penalties / per second (instead of 0.4) for exceeding time on Cross Country and await / open the discussion with NFs. Jumping time penalty to remain at 1 per second.
? TDs’ Appointment extended to 3 years: the appointment of the TD at one event could be extended to 3 years with the obligation of the next TD to be appointed as assistant in the 3rd year.
? No National Judges for International FEI events: the Committee agreed that only FEI Judges can be appointed for International FEI events, meaning that national judges can no more judge FEI Eventing Events.
? Review of FEI Judges’ requirements The Eventing Committee have proposed introducing requirements for Eventing Judges to be listed on their national Dressage Judges’ list to be implemented in 2009.
? Use of Heart Monitor on Cross Country : It was felt by the Committee that the use of heart monitor at competitions could improve the research on horse welfare and offer valuable information on safety matters for horse/rider and increase horsemanship. This issue will be further investigated before being included in the rules.

- FEI Eventing World Rider Rankings:
? Young Horses Championships and 1 star CIC Games & Championships – will be included in the Point System. See separate information on the FEI website under “Eventing – Results – Rankings - Calculation of the FEI World Eventing Rankings” as of 2007.
? Qualifying Result – must be obtained by the rider in the event in order to receive points for the rankings as of May 2007.
? Update of distribution of NFs according to zones – zones have been updated to line up with the Olympic geographical zones. Africa & Middle-East countries are added to Zone 6. See detailed information on the FEI website under “Eventing – Results – Rankings - Calculation of the FEI World Eventing Rankings” as of 2007.

- Eventing riders Association (ERA)
The Eventing Committee considered ERA’s reorganisation and proposal to collect €5.00 membership on each rider participating in International events in order to fund the FEI Eventing World Riders Rankings and run the ERA’s administration.
The Eventing Committee fully supports ERA’s efforts and are in discussion to help them to come to a financially viable solution.

- FEI Eventing Officials / Courses
The Long Term Education Programme for Eventing Officials as well as Course Syllabus and Concept will be reviewed.