In Dubai the General Assembly was held last week. For dressage the following subjects were discussed:
Safety at prize givings
Due to the increased safety risk for riders and horses, the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) proposed that new recommendations should be made for prize giving ceremonies and that only the first three placed riders should be in the line up. The remainder of placed riders (up to 6) could make a tour in walk, trot or canter whilst being presented by the speaker.
In fact in Stuttgart last week the dressage prize giving ceremonies took place in the proposed way, very much to the enthusiasm of the audience and the riders.
Educating officials
A working group consisting of Stephen Clarke (GBR), Angelika Frömming (GER) Dieter Schuele (GER) and FEI Dressage Committee Chair, Mariette Withages (BEL) was appointed to work on the course templates, course material, and syllabus.
New challenges and marketing
The Commercial Department and Headquarters had asked the Dressage committee for their recommendation for a Top 10 Dressage event to be become an FEI top property and be supported by a sponsor in conjunction with the FEI World Dressage Ranking List.
A Nations Cup formula has been proposed to promote more team competitions. The organiser may add the Grand Prix Special or the Freestyle or both, but the Nations Cup should be the most important competition with the highest prize money, to attract more teams and to promote team spirit. The proposed new formula would be tried out and evaluated by CDIO Organisers in 2008.
Forthcoming championships dressage
For dressage, the FEI in Dubai approved the European Championships for Juniors/Young Riders in 2009 to be held at the headquarters of the Dutch Equestrian Federation KNHS in Ermelo, The Netherlands, date to be confirmed.
The 2009 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final once again will be held simultaneously with the Final Jumping in Las Vegas.
No Top Ten Dressage Final in Maastricht
As the idea of the top ten final of the international dressage ranking list in Maastricht (NED) November 23-25 was only welcomed enthusiastically by the FEI and the international dressage riders club IDRC, but not by the top ten finalists themselves, the organisers of the Maastricht Horseshow have skipped the program and organise a Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music instead.
As participants among others will be welcomed home stars Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven partnering Keltec Salinero and Imke Schellekens-Bartels as well as American Karin Offield partnering crowd favourite KWPN-bred stallion Lingh, at the moment training and competing in Europe.