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Home , Dressage, Driving (horse), Equestrianism, Eventing, Halla (horse), Reining

Introducing the FEI A World of Equestrian Diversity PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PROMOTING FAIRNESS & EQUALITY FROM GRASS ROOTS TO THE WORLD STAGE INNOVATIVE & FORWARD LOOKING RESPECT FOR THE I am honoured to present to you the FEI, a young organisation in the grand scheme of all things equestrian, with a dynamic outlook on the future and a firm hold on the tradition and heritage of equestrian sport. For those of you that have never heard of the FEI, it is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee and is the sole controlling authority for all international events in & Para-Equestrian Dressage, , , & Para-Equestrian Driving, Endurance, Vaulting, and Para Equestrian, which includes establishing regulations and rules and approving programmes for equestrian competitions at Championships and Regional and . But the FEI is more than that, it is also about developing the sport, safeguarding the integrity of the sport and the welfare of the horse and ensuring a prosperous future for all equestrian and accessibility to elite competition from all backgrounds and regions of the world.

In 1921, the year the FEI was born to oversee international events in the three Olympic disciplines, only commissioned officers competed in international events, which were few and far between and predominantly in Europe and North America. Today, women and men compete as equals and the FEI regulates and governs equestrian sport for seven disciplines and for both able bodied and disabled athletes. Over the last decade, the number of international events have more than tripled and now include well-established series and major events worldwide.

The inauguration of the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, the HM King Hussein I Building, in April 2011 is the most tangible phase of a construction process that has taken place within the FEI over the past few years, which has seen the FEI expand its team of professionals and improve the services it owes to the global equestrian community. I count myself as very fortunate to have been a part of the FEI during years of such momentous change.

I hope that the pages of this colourful introduction to our organisation you to discover more about the FEI, the sports we oversee, the community that surrounds it and the athletes (both human and equine) that drive our endeavours and inspire fans and enthusiasts around the world.

HRH Princess Haya FEI President Contents

Message from the FEI President 4 Who we are and what we do 8 The FEI at a glance 10 Jumping 12 Dressage 14 Para-Equestrian Dressage 16 Eventing 18 Driving and Para-Equestrian Driving 20 Endurance 22 Vaulting 24 Reining 26 FEI Solidarity 28 FEI Awards 30 Find out more... 32

The Fédération Equestre Internationale Headquarters are based in the Olympic Capital Lausanne in the HM King Hussein I Building. Who we are and what we do

Located in Lausanne (SUI), the FEI is FEI disciplines, 132 member National calendar is managed, and that the very the governing body for all international Federations, comprehensive rules values that are at the core of equestrian events in Jumping, Dressage and covering all the aspects of the sport, sport are safeguarded and promoted. In Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, the welfare of the horse, the education order to do all of this, there are sport Driving and Para-Equestrian Driving, of officials, stewards, vets, judges and specific departments, a commercial Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. course designers. There are over 3,200 department, press and corporate We establish the regulations and international events annually, including a teams, veterinary, legal approve equestrian programmes number of FEI Championships and global and education & standards departments, at Championships, Continental and FEI series and over 90,000 registered Finance, IT and Governance teams and Regional Games as well as the Olympic riders and . FEI Solidarity. & .

When the FEI was formed in 1921 thanks to the efforts of the IOC, it The FEI promotes in all its forms and was done specifically for the purpose encourages the development of the FEI equestrian of regulating international events in the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, disciplines throughout the world, keeping the Dressage and Eventing. At the time, only commissioned officers competed welfare of the horse at the heart of all activities. in international events, which were few and far between and predominantly in Europe and North America, and there At the FEI headquarters in Lausanne were no systematic rules in play. – His Majesty King Hussein I Building – there are over sixty staff working to Today, women and men compete as ensure that the sport continues to grow equals, professionals compete at the and flourish, the rules are enforced, the Olympics, there are seven recognised results are processed, the international The FEI Over 3 500 Para-Equestrian Dressage on the Property rights holder of major events and series : at a glance international Paralympic programme FEI World Equestrian Games™ annually events the ultimate equestrian event every four years with 8 World 132 since 1996 Member National Championships held simultaneously Federations FEI Solidarity Sport for able ™ World, Continental and Regional Far reaching development FEI Nations Cup Founded in & disabled Jumping, Eventing, Dressage Championships activities & 1921 Active from grass roots athletes ™ ™ to elite competition educational FEI Classics FEI World Cup programmes around the world Jumping, Dressage, Driving and Vaulting

Protecting the men & women Over 90 000 registered Jumping, Dressage and Eventing on the welfare of the horse Competition categories for compete as equals horses Olympic programme and the integrity of all ages & levels and athletes since 1912 our sport Responsible for The sole governing body for all international events in 7 equestrian disciplines : Establishes regulations and competition schedules for the World Rankings Jumping Dressage & Para-Equestrian Dressage Olympic Games, & Standings Eventing Driving & Para-Equestrian Driving Paralympic Games & Endurance Vaulting Reining Youth Olympic Games Jumping

Jumping is the best known Jumping is a spectacular mix of direction, completed the course – and probably most readily courage, control and technical ability without any faults, won the understood – OF ALL THE FEI that takes horse and rider over 10 to 13 team gold medal and Halla and Winkler disciplines and is also one of “knockable” fences, including double the individual gold. the three Olympic equestrian and treble combinations, with penalties sports, along with Dressage and incurred for each fence knocked down Winkler went on to become the only Eventing. As in all equestrian or refused. Jumping has also produced rider to win five Olympic Jumping disciplines, men and women some of equestrian sport’s most gold medals, while household names compete on equal terms in memorable Olympic moments. associated with Jumping are Winkler’s Jumping in both individual fellow German multi-Olympic gold and team events. An example of this came in 1956 in medallists Alwin Schöckemöhle and when Halla, still the only . ’s Ian Millar, horse to have won three Olympic meanwhile, equalled the record for Jumping gold medals, threw her rider, the most Olympic appearances by any Hans Günter Winkler, into the air after athlete in London in 2012, his tenth taking off for a fence too early. Winkler Olympic Games. landed awkwardly in the , tearing a groin muscle in the process, but he knew that failure to continue in the competition would eliminate not only Halla and himself but the whole German team. He carried on valiantly despite being unable to give Halla Dressage

DRESSAGE, THE HIGHEST Of all the exponents of Dressage, Germany’s is perhaps the best known, EXPRESSION OF , after winning six gold and two bronze medals between 1964 and 1976, a record for IS CONSIDERED THE MOST ARTISTIC equestrian events. And Dressage has also produced its share of heroic achievements, OF THE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS AND none more so than Denmark’s Lis Hartel. CAN BE TRACED AS FAR BACK AS ANCIENT . THE HORSE HAS Hartel, who became one of the first women to take part in Olympic Dressage, was TO PERFORM AT A WALK, paralysed by polio in 1944, when she was 23 and expecting her first child. Despite AND CANTER, AND ALL TESTS ARE remaining paralysed below the knees, she was chosen to represent her country in the RIDDEN FROM MEMORY AND Helsinki Olympics of 1952 and responded by winning the silver medal. When gold FOLLOW A PRESCRIBED PATTERN OF medallist Henri Saint Cyr helped her up on to the podium, it was one of the most MOVEMENTS. THE ONLY EXCEPTION emotional moments in Olympic history. IS THE FREESTYLE WHICH IS SPECIALLY CHOREOGRAPHED FOR EACH HORSE The popularity of Dressage has increased rapidly in recent years and the sport now AND IS PERFORMED TO MUSIC. regularly attracts huge crowds. Dressage is undoubtedly the most aesthetically pleasing of the disciplines in the FEI and the pure magic of top-class Freestyle under floodlights, as sport and art combine, guarantees that the popularity of Dressage will continue to grow. Furthermore, Para-Equestrian Dressage is the only equestrian discipline that is included in the Paralympic Games, where it has been a regular fixture since 1996. Para-Equestrian Dressage

In 2006, Para-Equestrian sport joined the ranks of the other 7 disciplines regulated by the FEI, with national and international competitions for Dressage for individuals with a disability.

All rules and regulations related to competitors are assessed and athletes competition venues and testing are with similar functional ability profiles governed by the same principles as are grouped into competition grades other disciplines. The formula for Para- that range from Grade Ia for the most Equestrian Dressage is the same as for severely impaired to Grade IV for the standard Dressage, with tests based least impaired. This means that the on a set programme of movements as competition within each Grade can be well as Freestyle tests. judged on the skill of the individual competitors on their horses, regardless Para-Equestrian Dressage is the only of their disabilities. The system also Equestrian discipline that is included makes it possible to offer opportunities in the Paralympic Games, where it has for disabled athletes to compete and been a regular fixture since 1996. The achieve their goals in equestrian sport. mobility, strength and coordination of Eventing

The Olympic sport of Eventing Eventing originated as a Eventing has a huge following with crowds is the most complete combined competition which tested officers and of up to 250 000 recorded at the British competition discipline horses in challenges that could occur spring feature at . In 1976 recognised by the FEI. Sometimes on or off duty. It also provided a basis the Princess Royal was a member of the described as an equestrian to compare training standards between British Olympic team, and her daughter, , Eventing demands the of different countries. Zara Phillips, is also an accomplished considerable experience in all The modern competition comprises Event rider. Meanwhile ’s branches of : dressage, cross-country and jumping on wrote a 112-page biography of consecutive days. The competitor rides his horse Charisma, with whom he twice Dressage, which requires a high the same horse throughout the three won the Olympic Eventing title. level of concentration, as well as phases. total harmony between horse and A demonstration of Olympic spirit and rider, to produce a calm and pleasing Cross-country is the highlight, testing determination at the 1960 Olympic performance; the speed, stamina and jumping ability Games in Rome, where the first three of the horse, as well as the rider’s Australians were well ahead of the field Cross-Country, which calls knowledge of pace and the use of his when one of their horses went lame, for stamina, experience and courage; horse. The course will have between 30 saw their fourth rider, 45-year-old Bill Jumping, where precision, agility and and 40 specially constructed jumps over Roycroft, who had broken his collarbone technique are essential for success. solid obstacles such as logs, woodpiles in the cross-country, leave his hospital and stone walls, with water and ditches bed, to go clear in the Jumping and increasing the technical difficulty. secure team gold for . Driving & Para-Equestrian Driving

HORSES WERE DRIVEN LONG BEFORE THEY WERE RIDDEN AND, AS SUCH, DRIVING IS THE OLDEST COMPETITIVE EQUESTRIAN SPORT YET IT CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. DRIVERS SIT ON A DRAWN BY A SINGLE HORSE OR , A PAIR OR A TEAM OF FOUR AND THEY FACE THREE TRIALS – DRESSAGE, MARATHON AND OBSTACLE DRIVING.

Dressage involves performing a sequence horses after the marathon, as well as One notable alteration to the rules of compulsory figures within a 100 x 40 the skill and competence of the driver followed a competition in Windsor, metre rectangle. Movements – which who must weave cleanly through a Great Britain, where a back wheel must be executed from memory – narrow track outlined by cones with collapsed on a vehicle and the watching include speed and gait transitions, circles balls balanced on top. Queen Elizabeth allowed for a small tree of different sizes and halts. to be tied to the axle to keep it off the Driving came under the FEI umbrella ground. The rules stated subsequently The marathon is a spectacular time in 1970 thanks to the efforts of HRH that a “vehicle must have four wheels trial run over a course including natural the Duke of Edinburgh, then the FEI crossing the finishing line”. hazards such as sharp turns, water and President, who organised the meeting steep hills, and artificial ones such as in 1969 which produced the first rule Since 2006, the FEI has also regulated labyrinths. It tests the horses’ fitness book. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh the sport of Para-Equestrian Driving and stamina and the driver’s judgment was actively involved in the sport and which is run very much according the of pace and horse control. competed in numerous World and principles, and rules & regulations European Championships, winning one governing the sport of Driving. Obstacle driving – or cones – tests the World Team Gold and three World and fitness, obedience and suppleness of the one European Team Bronze Medals. Endurance

ENDURANCE IS A LONG-DISTANCE Endurance started as a sport in the Arabian horses dominate the Endurance COMPETITION AGAINST THE CLOCK , where the US discipline though the most successful TESTING THE SPEED AND ENDURANCE tested its horses on a five-day, 300-mile rider to date is ’s Maria Alvarez OF A HORSE AND CHALLENGING THE (483km) ride, with each horse carrying Ponton on her French-born RIDER OVER THEIR EFFECTIVE USE over 200lbs (91kg). It did not become a Nobby. OF PACE, THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE competitive sport until the 1950s, when OF THEIR HORSE’S CAPABILITIES Wendell Robie traced the Pony Express The premier Endurance rides are the AND ABILITY TO CROSS ALL KINDS route from Nevada to California in FEI World Equestrian Games™, staged OF TERRAIN. ALTHOUGH THE RIDES under 24 hours. every four years in the middle of the ARE TIMED, THE EMPHASIS IS ON Olympic cycle; the FEI World Endurance FINISHING IN GOOD CONDITION Each rider must safely manage the Championships, held in every Olympic RATHER THAN COMING IN FIRST. stamina and fitness of their horse and year; and the biannual FEI European each course is divided into phases – in Endurance Championships. principle at least every 40km – with a compulsory halt for a veterinary inspection, or ‘vet gate’, after each. Each horse must be presented for inspection within a set time of reaching each ‘vet gate’, which determines whether it is fit to continue. Vaulting

VAULTING IS A YOUTHFUL, Vaulting exercises include artistic a horse at any one time – or in individual Eccles, who finished first and second THEATRICAL DISCIPLINE IN WHICH mounts and dismounts, shoulder stands competitions which, unlike in all other at the 2011/2012 FEI World Cup™ ATHLETES PERFORM ON THE BACK and handstands on the horse, carrying or equestrian disciplines, are separate for Vaulting final. Joanne’s successes OF A CANTERING HORSE. AS SUCH, lifting another vaulter, and kneeling and males and females. There are also pairs include winning the first British Vaulting IT DEMANDS AN OUTSTANDING standing exercises. The horse is guided competitions, or pas-de-deux. gold at the 2010 Alltech FEI World PHYSICAL CONDITION FROM on a long by a lunger standing on Equestrian Games™, and the pair both THE VAULTER, A HARMONIOUS the ground who ensures that a steady Vaulting made a fleeting appearance at compete on WH Bentley, the family RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HORSE, canter is maintained on a circle with a the 1924 Olympic Games in Antwerp, horse, with their father John acting as AND FIRST-CLASS TEAMWORK. minimum diameter of 15 metres. Belgium as ‘Artistic Riding’ but the lunger. premier Vaulting competitions today The discipline dates back to Greek and are staged at the FEI World Equestrian Roman times when soldiers – without Games™, the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting stirrups and – practised vaulting series and continental Championships. movements as part of their military training. Vaulters compete together on Two of the leading female competitors teams – no more than three may be on are Scottish sisters Joanne and Hannah Reining

Reining is designed to show the athletic ability of type horses in the confines of a show arena. Contestants are required to run one of 10 approved patterns, divided into seven or eight manoeuvres, including small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, 360 degree spins and what is generally considered to be the signature move of the reining horse, the sliding stop.

Reining, which became an FEI discipline Although part of a sporting lifestyle became the first world champion. His in 2000, originated from moves that closely linked to the spirit of the Wild compatriot Tom McCutcheon shone at a horse makes in performing its West, Reining is growing in popularity the 2010 event in Kentucky, winning duties and was first recognised as a sport around the world. Despite the seemingly both individual and team gold medals on in 1949 by the relaxed attitude of both horse and rider Gunners Special Nite. Association (AQHA). and the loose typically used, Reining demands high levels of concentration Competitions take place within an arena and riding skills with smoothness, where markers are used to enable riders finesse, attitude, quickness and authority to better follow pattern proportions. To all being closely watched. allow top performance and ensure the soundness of competing horses, special The first FEI World Reining Championship footing made of a clay base with a took place during the FEI World Equestrian combination of sand and silt as a loose Games™ at , Spain topping is required. in 2002 when USA’s Shawn W Flarida www.fei.org/solidarity The FEI Awards were launched Development Best Groom An international panel of three judges, in 2009 to celebrate some of for a development project, individual for a person whose dedication and hard presided by the FEI President, selects the extraordinary people whose or organisation demonstrating skill, work behind the scenes deserves to be the winners, who are invited to receive outstanding achievements dedication and energy in expanding highlighted ; their awards at a ceremony organised in or out of the arena deserve the sport ; during the gala evening that closes the acknowledgement. Against All Odds FEI General Assembly. Rising Star for a disabled rider or an individual Over three months, the FEI calls on the to reward an athlete aged between who has overcome extreme personal The FEI Awards have benefitted from worldwide equestrian community to 14 and 21 who has demonstrated difficulties to achieve proficiency in the endorsement of film stars such make nominations via the dedicated significant talent, commitment and equestrian sport ; as Michael Douglas, website www.feiawards.org in five sportsmanship ; and Jeremy Irons and are sponsored categories : Best Athlete by FEI partners. This has for the athlete (equine or human) resulted in coverage not or combination that has recently only in sports and sports demonstrated exceptional skill in the business media, but also in arena and taken the sport to a new level. entertainment publications. Find out more...

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