ANNUAL REPORT 2005 FEIANNUAL REPORT 2005 ANNUAL REPORT 2005 FOREWORD BY THE FEI PRESIDENT a new era of communication and transparency. The Media Advisory Committee was created to advise the FEI and a new communication department was created in Lausanne. The 75th anniversary of the FEI was celebrated in 1996, the year of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. This was the occasion for us to strengthen our bond with the IOC : the exhibition «The Horse in the Olympics» was displayed at the Olympic Museum, I was co-opted as an IOC Member and the introduction of Freestyle to Music as the Olympic Dressage Final was a resounding success. That year, my fellow Bureau Members and I decided to create the Strategic Planning Committee. Samsung, who was already supporting development competitions, became the sponsor of the FEI Nations Cup Series. After 12 years at the head of the FEI, the time has come for me Pursuing its policy of openness, the FEI decided to officially invite to say goodbye. This is also the perfect opportunity to review representatives of the Organisers and Riders to its 1997 General what has been achieved. We are living in a fast moving world, Assembly in Puerto Rico. No better place could have been and the FEI has tremendously changed during my period in office. selected to decide on the establishment of a sports development In 1995, 517 international events were organised worldwide programme and the creation of a Development Officer position. and this number has more than tripled to reach nearly 1,900 in 2005. Thanks to the help and commitment of so many, we The 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games had been allocated to have come a long way, turning our federation into a modern Dublin even before the 1994 edition had taken place but, organisation, with a four-year Strategic Plan process, a sound unfortunately, the Dublin Organising Committee was forced structure for sports development, an understanding of our to cancel the Games when the Irish Government withdrew vital sports commercial environment and, most importantly, a financial support in the late spring of 1997. The abandonment dialogue among all constituencies of equestrian sport. of the project was dramatic as Ireland is a country with a very thoroughly developed horse tradition. In this difficult Allow me to glance back over my shoulder and share with you situation the FEI Executive Board was much relieved that what have been, in my opinion, the most memorable moments several countries showed interest in organising the 1998 of these last 12 years. Games in spite of the short notice. Some four months after the withdrawal of Dublin, Rome was chosen to take over the In 1993, several Bureau members contacted me to ask me 1998 Games. Particular credit goes to the Italian NF President whether I would be interested in succeeding to The Princess Cesare Croce, who showed much courage in assuming this Royal as President of the FEI. I had always had a keen interest responsibility. in equestrian sport and, after having helped my late husband for many years in his business, accepting the position repre- It was in fact absolutely amazing how well the Italians were sented an important personal challenge for me. I was elected able to organise such successful 1998 World Equestrian in 1994 ; however, never could I have imagined how exciting, Games in such a brief period of time. The same year, Volvo left demanding and, at times, delicate the job would prove to be. the FEI World Cup after 20 years of sponsorship. The Swedish car company was instrumental in the development of the series In 1995, the FEI was on the verge of one of its most serious and left its mark on the FEI World Cup for many years. crises. Further to the mismanagement of the World Cup television rights, the confidence between the FEI and its NF Members 1999 saw the best demonstration of one of the key values of was badly dammaged. The St - Gallen Forum, organised in equestrian sport, i.e. equality of man and woman at all levels conjunction with the FEI European Jumping Championship, of competition. Indeed, the European Championships in the was a premiere for the FEI : for the very first time, not only NFs three Olympic disciplines were won by lady riders (Anky Van were invited to give their views, but so were organisers, riders, Grunsven in Dressage, Alexandra Ledermann in Jumping and sponsors and the media. This initiative was the beginning of Pippa Funnel in Eventing). 4 FEI ANNUAL REPORT 2005 FEI ANNUAL REPORT 2005 5 Following the tragic fatalities in Eventing in 1998 and 1999, The 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games brought 300,000 of a universal coaching system and the establishment of initiated restructuring process in a dedicated chapter of this a special committee was created, led by Lord Hartington, to spectators to Jerez. Andalusia, the Spanish province where progressive regional competitions and championships. In the Annual Report. The implementation of the new FEI brand take a serious look at the discipline and decide what measures Jerez is located, is a true horse country enjoying a rich eques- development field, strategy is crucial and we need to offer to should not be forgotten as it was one of the main achievements had to be implemented to ensure a safe sport. trian heritage going back centuries. The FEI World Equestrian our NFs not simply technical assistance but a real method for of 2005. In December, the FEI Bureau awarded the 2010 FEI Games benefited from the spectacular media coverage, and planning sport in their respective countries. The same year, Games for the first time outside of Europe. A long-awaited That year, the Bureau was affected by the loss of two of its Reining made a triumphant debut on the FEI scene. The 2006 the FEI Commercial Division was created. decision for the Kentucky Organising Committee and the US most eminent Members, the Treasurer Conor Crowley and World Equestrian Games were awarded to Aachen. Federation which were presenting their candidature for the Lord Lowry, Chairman of the Judicial Committee. In 2004, the Olympic Games went back to their roots in second time. Eventing found itself under pressure once again: while the Greece. Athens offered its hospitality and magnificent facilities The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games equestrian world had gathered in Jerez, the IOC Programme and the equestrian competitions were wonderfully organised In conclusion, I would like thank all my fellow Bureau Members and its hundreds of horses was a delight for all equestrian Commission issued a report recommending that the discipline at Markopoulo. The FEI development programmes were for their dedication and support, and for sharing their experience fans. The horse is indeed intrinsically linked to the history of be dropped from the programme of the Games of the XXIX bearing their fruit and the number of nations taking part in the with me during all these years. My gratitude also goes to the Australia, and the Olympic equestrian competitions were a Olympiad in Beijing. The FEI took immediate action and, within Olympic Games significantly grew from 25 in Atlanta to 39 in faithful FEI staff in Lausanne, for their untiring efforts and resounding success. weeks, came up with a proposal for a revised format with a Athens. Unfortunately, judging controversies and the positive commitment. much lower financial impact on the Olympic host city, while cases of two Olympic medallists had a devastating impact on The same year, Lord Hartington presented the conclusions on maintaining the intensity and difficulty of the competition to the sport. Maybe the FEI needed such an electroshock to think Equestrian sport is a beautiful yet demanding sport and the Eventing safety, after a thorough reflection on the discipline. ensure that the Olympic Games remain the highest level of over its anti-doping procedures and develop a real strategy in horse is our common source of inspiration. After these 12 A number of measures recommended by the committee were the sport. this field. As a result, the Bureau decided to establish a Task years, my main satisfaction is probably that we all talk to each immediately implemented. Force on Doping and Medication Procedures. other. We don’t always agree, but there is a receptive attitude The launch of the Samsung Super League in 2003 was a big hit among all parties and an environment of exchange without 2001 was an eventful year. The foot - and - mouth disease hit with everyone, media representatives, riders and spectators The Task Force presented its conclusions and a detailed action which the sport cannot exist. Thank you. Europe and many events were cancelled due to travel restrictions. alike. The FEI also established an Eventing World Cup which plan at the 2005 General Assembly in London, as you will immediately found its public and became a must for the read in this report. The Legal Department was strengthened The Eventing Committee initiated several Forums on different riders and organisers. Faced with its exceptional growth, the and the anti - doping procedures completely revamped. The continents to gather views on the future of this discipline and discipline of Endurance went through much debate, which led FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules, which discuss its format. to a world forum in Paris. For the first time in its history, the FEI were presented to the Bureau at the end of 2005, intend to was forced to cancel its General Assembly, due to take place preserve the «spirit of the sport», and its values of ethics, fair HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón 2001 was the International Year of the Volunteers and the in Bahrain.