- European Pony Championships - Le Touquet (FRA)
- Meeting Of The Pony Riders Committee, 27 July 1998
- World Equestrian Games In Rome - Budget And Figures
- The FEI Website Now Provides Links To Other Sources
- New FEI/BCM World Jumping Rankings

European Pony Championships - Le Touquet (FRA)

In 1978, the first European Pony Championships were held in Le Touquet Paris-Plage. Two decades later, on their 20th birthday, the charming sea resort was once again the venue of the championships from 22 to 26 July. The three disciplines were represented. The event was co-ordinated by the original organising committee.

The equestrian site is ideal and due to the proximity of the sea, the weather is usually mild. To prepare the championships, the organisers were able to work with the existing infrastructures (beautiful racecourse, permanent bleachers, jumping arena) but, among other things, the dressage arenas and the cross-country course still needed to be created. As expected, it was an enjoyable event for the riders and the public.

Pierre Michelet built a sea-side cross country course with a lighthouse, bridges, fishing nets, shelves and even a chaise-long chair!

The average performances of the participants paralleled the efforts made by the organisers. Sixty-five riders competed for jumping, 40 for three day event and 41 for dressage (results on www.horsesport.org, section CONSULT)

Meeting Of The Pony Riders Committee, 27 July 1998

The day following the European Pony Championships, was held the annual meeting of the Pony Riders Committee in Le Touquet, chaired by Mrs Kirsten Barnow.

All participants played a role during the Championships and, unanimously, they were very satisfied with the level of these 20th European Championships.

Following the letter which was sent beginning of this summer to all National Federations involved in pony events, it seems that the behaviour of the pony riders towards their pony has appreciably improved.

Several items have been discussed during the meeting: accommodation of the riders (at the OC's or the NF's expense), measurement of ponies, introduction of a compulsory free style test, endurance (this growing discipline meets great success amongst adult riders), replacement of outgoing member, interim rules changes, allocation of 1999 Championships.

World Equestrian Games In Rome - Budget And Figures

The estimated budget for the organisation of the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome will be around 27 billion liras (CHF 23 million). This figure includes substantial investments made by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and the Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE) to build, restore and upgrade the different equestrian venues.

Thirty-three medals will be awarded during the Games; 400 competitors and 700 horses will come to Rome; 1000 staff are employed by the Organising Committee; 1200 representatives of the media are already accredited; 80,000 tickets are available from the box office.

The FEI Website Now Provides Links To Other Sources

The section "Consult" on the FEI website (www.horsesport.org) now provides access to other related websites divided in three categories: international equestrian events, IOC and other official sports organisations and FEI partners.

In the first 80 days after its launch in the beginning of May, the site received 2665 hits and 1291 visitors. The the most visited section is obviously the NEWS section, immediately followed by CONSULT, which includes the calendar of events and the results of competitions.

New FEI/BCM World Jumping Rankings

The new rankings (29/7/98) compared with list of 29/6/1998 are now available at http://www.bcm.nl.