Annual Report 2006
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ANNUAL REPORT 2006 Fédération Equestre Internationale Avenue Mon - Repos 24 1005 Lausanne Switzerland t +41 21 310 47 47 f +41 21 310 47 60 e [email protected] www.horsesport.org FEIANNUAL REPORT 2006 ANNUAL REPORT 2006 FOREWORD BY THE FEI PRESIDENT There is a saying in my part of the world, that those who do of countries in modern horsesport is always going to be an not pay tribute to the past shall have no future. The FEI has advantage. But an event of the size of a World Equestrian an illustrious past, steeped in history. In fact, we are a proud Games only becomes extraordinary through the atmosphere organisation whose past is the very history of sport itself. in which the event is held. The combination of a knowledgeable According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic community and top class competition created an atmosphere Games can be traced back to 776 BC.; they were Games that that was magical. celebrated horsemanship, a tradition which has carried on to the present day. The IOC President, Dr Jacques Rogge, came to Aachen and we have continued to have regular communications since then. I Our recent past is no less proud, for we are now evolving from know that the development of this relationship can only serve an organisation that holds the history of sport in its hand, to to further strengthen the position of Eventing, Dressage and an organisation that also embraces the future. We are able to Jumping at the heart of the Olympic Family. take this step into the future because of the wise leadership of those who have guided the FEI to where it is now. The IOC is constantly striving to see its member IFs embracing universality. Through another legacy of Doña Pilar, the FEI is As HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón took her leave of already laying the foundation of a truly global sport. In 2010 we the FEI at the General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, she must all look forward to the first FEI World Equestrian Games outside have been very proud. Under the guidance of Doña Pilar, the mainland Europe and I am delighted that this setting will be at number of international competitions more than trebled and the very heart of horse country in North America, Kentucky. my ability to lead the organisation forward into a new era of growth is entirely down to the fact that the presidential legacy The year 2006 was a momentous year for both the FEI and for from that era reflects a modern sport on a stable platform. me personally. Being the first elected President of the FEI was an honour beyond words. When Doña Pilar left the Presidency she left us an astonishing gift, a gift that horsesport did not see the enormity of for Bringing the Manifesto, your Manifesto, containing your three months. It was, of course, the FEI World Equestrian wishes, to life and turning a policy framework into action has Games, Aachen - an event of such breathtaking sporting taken time in the discussion phase. More time than I would perfection that it was, without doubt, the jewel in the crown have liked, but I appreciate that, as a modern organisation, of horsesport in 2006. inclusive conversation is important. I am delighted that the Manifesto is now woven into the fabric of the FEI not least Only history can judge its long term effect but my instant through the FEI Business Plan which will go to the 2007 feeling, which has not changed since, was that we will view General Assembly for approval. the FEI WEG, Aachen 2006 as the benchmark of event organisation for many decades to come. The geo-strategic Think of the changes as seeds that have been planted and location of Aachen in the centre of the strongest triangle allowed to grow, as a plant does, at first unseen, and then, FEI ANNUAL REPORT 2006 05 both our internal and external audiences. I hope it will define months in office, I don’t feel like I have done enough. I am the character of the FEI, as the governing body of a sport as very aware that I endeavoured to engender a good team old as time, but whose function is cutting edge and a leader in spirit at Headquarters. I have striven to maintain the balance modernity among the family of IFs. between empowering the FEI Staff, while endeavouring to check their over enthusiasm, and by guaranteeing the balance Having achieved my target of raising CHF 10 million for the that must exist between them and the Executive Powers of FEI and following my Manifesto request that 20% of any Bureau and Board that represent the National Federations. revenue raised by me personally goes towards Development, While Headquarters has been given increased responsibility, this pillar of the manifesto has made a seismic move forward. there is no doubt responsibility must walk hand-in-hand with The Development Strategy based on the quantitative accountability. As an elected President I feel that my role is to analysis of the situation in developing NFs, carried out by the ensure that accountability. I will never be the one to take the Development Department, will become a major artery in the pressure off and allow the organisation to feel that it is doing body of the FEI. While the Developing NFs have seen this as too well. a step forward for them, the General Assembly indicated its wish that the distribution of funds be dictated by a concrete We do have more energy, new ideas and a more agile business and financial plan. This plan has been laid down for us administration. We have a great team. My job is to be realistic with the help of friends from the FEI as well as a community of and to look at the FEI and the sport with unbiased eyes. As business people who will ensure that we are advised correctly, I look out across horsesport at the end of 2006, I see that and wisely. The FEI has not paid for this guidance, and the we have not made a lasting difference yet, we have a very money will be spent so that it makes a true change to both long way to go, but whether we will get there or not, is not a our present and our future. question any more. It is a fact that we will get there. The efforts of the Commercial Department have reaped I should like to thank all those, particularly the FEI Bureau positive dividends already, celebrated by the announcements and the FEI team in Lausanne, whose advice has always been in time, they will take firm roots below the ground, in the the welfare of our athletes, both horses and people, our of our commercial partnerships with both Alltech and Rolex. valuable or who have in so many other ways supported me fertile ground that you have given me, and then the shoots Athletes Commission will open a new and exciting chapter for Yet this is only the beginning, many more changes must through this first year as FEI President. and blossoms appear. Impatient as I am, this process must us. Their voices and faces in the decision – making process are be made to the Commercial Department in order for it to take place. vital for the welfare of our organisation, and will ensure that function to the maximum, and in order for us to turn the tide I have made no secret of my passion for horsesport and we always have our fingers on the pulse of all our disciplines, on an IF that exists mainly from taxation of its own product. although there have been many times during 2006 when I have I pledged to myself, to the Bureau and to a wider audience at and that they remain the heartbeat of the organisation. been frustrated by the speed of progress, possibly because of the FEI World Equestrian Games, that I would produce a mid- Without our athletes, and without properly respecting our To facilitate this end and in support of both the NFs and politics or bureaucracy, this past year has ingrained in me an term report so that you could see the progress made against sports, there is no FEI. the Commercial Department, I created a team, from Dubai even deeper commitment to the concept of enshrining the FEI the Manifesto and the targets that we set ourselves and this Investment Group (DIG) and the Boston Consultant Group at the heart of horsesport. we did in November. The first few months of my Presidency were indeed turbulent (BCG), to guide the FEI towards a true Financial and Business with the FEI functioning, in essence, without a Secretary Plan. As I have said before, the FEI is not taxed to pay for this Constructive criticism will only serve to make me work harder, Further progress was made between then and the end of General. While the Headquarters moved bravely forward, help, and I believe very strongly that the composition of this and spur the organisation to greater success through the 2006 which touched on a wide range of areas under the six we arrived in Aachen, before the restructuring of the internal team will not produce an agency template, what it will do is inspiration that is often derived from necessity. I am eternally pillars of the Manifesto. These have become for me the broad management of the FEI and the appointment of Michael create a true, individual recipe for a solid investment plan.