FEI Press News - 19 August 1998

• CHIO Aachen: Hugo Simon wins the Grand Prix and the world's largest-ever showjumping prize; Germany takes superb victory on home soil in the Nations Cup
• 1999 European Jumping Championship moved to Hickstead
• World Event Riders Rankings secured in an agreement between the FEI, Husky and PERA
• World Equestrian Games 1998: Press Conference in Aachen
• Executive Board Meeting in Aachen
• 1997 Four-in Hand Top Driver Trophy presented to Isjbrand Chardon
• Strategic Planning Committee Meeting in Aachen
• FEI/BCM World Jumping Rankings: Ludger Beerbaum in its 6th month as Number One
• WFEI Dressage Committee Meeting in Aachen
• FEI Vaulting Committee Meeting in Malmö
• In Memoriam of Mr Alexander Mackay-Smith

CHIO Aachen: Hugo Simon Wins The Grand Prix And The World's Largest-Ever Showjumping Prize

Germany Takes Superb Victory On Home Soil In The Nations Cup

Double victory on Sunday for Hugo Simon (AUT): In winning the Grand Prix of Aachen (GER), he earned at the same time US$ 800,000 for winning two of the three Grand Prix in the Pulsar Crown series. Riding his Hanoverian E.T. FRH, Hugo Simon won the Pulsar Grand Prix of Monterey (MEX) in 1997.The Pulsar Crown, prize fund operates on an ongoing cycle and is awarded to riders winning the Grand Prix at least at two of the three jumping events of the series: Valkenswaard (NED), Aachen (GER) and Monterey (MEX).

10 riders took part in the jump-off. Second was Peter Charles (IRL) on Treaxdata T'Aime and third Willi Melliger (SUI) on Calvaro V.

The Nations Cup of Friday saw the victory of the German team, ahead of runners-up Great Britain. Only in equal third place behind Brazil and Netherlands at the end of the first round Germany's had an excellent second round (three clear rounds) and finished first. Great Britain was placed second and Ireland third. Germany has now overtaken the Netherlands in the Samsung Nations Cup Standings and are only two points behind the French leaders.

Samsung Nations Cup website: http://sports.samsung.com/samsungnationscup

1999 European Jumping Championship Moved To Hickstead

Following the withdrawal of Harrogate (GBR) as venue for the 1999 European Jumping Championship, the British Federation (BEF) and the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) in collaboration with the Hickstead's organisers put together a proposal to host the Championship. This application has been accepted by the FEI Executive board and the Championship will be held in Hickstead from 24 to 30 August 1999. The organisers have promised to further upgrade the facilities at the showgrounds including the preparation of the ground in the main arena to ensure the best possible surface for the championship.

World Event Riders Rankings Secured In An Agreement Between The FEI, Husky And PERA

The Professional Event Riders Association (PERA) and Husky Corporation, the leading outdoor clothing company, have announced a new partnership that will secure the FEI World Event Riders Rankings until the end of 1999.

The £130,000 (about CHF 320,000) deal will see an end to the period of uncertainty that marked the withdrawal of Land Rover's support. The trilateral agreement between Husky, PERA and the FEI will see £100,000 (about CHF 246,000) go directly to prize money, with increased support for the Global Ranking classification, as well as the introduction of a number of new categories.

This is the first major initiative announced by PERA since it was launched in June. Robert Lemieux PERA's Executive Director commented "it was a high priority for the riders to see their own rankings secured. The deal with PERA's new ranking partner Husky means that there is now substantial prize money available for this season, as well as the '99 season". He added that this agreement would mark a new era in co-operation between riders and their governing body at the highest level.

"The presence of Husky in the Eventing scene has always been to emphasise the active role of being an international sponsor working for the promotion of the sport" commented Giuseppe Veronesi from Husky. "Eventing is the equestrian discipline closest to Husky’s philosophy, historically addressed to horse-lovers. This partnership means a lot to us and increases our presence in the sport".

Total prize money of £100,000 over the next two seasons will mean prizes now going down to 15th place in the Global ranking classification (instead of 8th previously), in line with PERA's pledge to increase prize money and benefit as many riders as possible. PERA also wishes to acknowledge the vital role that owners and owner-sponsors play in Eventing. There will be a new Owners Cup and ranking for them, as well as a World No. 1 Horse Trophy for the first time.

Hugh Thomas, Chairman of the FEI Eventing Committee welcomed the new agreement and is convinced that his trilateral partnership between the FEI, Husky and PERA will be of great benefit not only to the leading riders, but for the profile of Eventing sport world-wide.

A press reception, to be attended by all the top international riders, will be held during the World Equestrian Games in Pratoni del Vivaro.

World Equestrian Games 1998: Press Conference In Aachen

The organisers of the WEG 1998 in Rome held a press conference on Saturday 15 August in Aachen. Mr Claudio Rossi, President of the Organising Committee (OC) told that 38 nations had announced their presence in Rome for the Games. WEG 1998 will mark the first ever appearance at this level for Greece which will be represented individually in three-day-event, for Israel which will make its debut with one competitor in jumping and one in dressage and for Belarus which will have a rider in the dressage competition.

The deadline for nominated entries is the 1st of September. At this date, nations will have the possibility of indicating up to the double number of the allowed competitors. A few days before the opening of the WEG, on 25 September (deadline for definite entries) the names of the competitors will be announced.

Mr Hermann Duckek, who has been appointed to prepare the ground of the Flaminio Stadium which will held the dressage and jumping competitions, stated that the preparation of the ground was slightly ahead of schedule.

WEG 1998 new website: http://www.weg98.com

Executive Board Meeting In Aachen

The Executive Board met on Sunday 16 August 1998 during the CHIO Aachen. Among other topics the Board discussed the following:

The Secretary General reported that he had signed the TV contract with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for the World Equestrian Games.

The Professional Event Riders Association (PERA), presided by Mark Todd, replacing the International Event Rider Association (IERA) which had been recently dissolved, was recognised in principle, pending the approval of the Bureau in November.

The Executive Board approved the creation of the "Three Day Event Grand Slam series" which includes Burghley, Badminton (GBR) and Lexington (USA) CCI ****. The rider who wins all three four stars competitions in a twelve month period starting from Burghley 1998 (2-6 September) wins US$ 250,000. The Grand Slam offers the global Eventing sport and individual events a unique publicity opportunity while providing top riders with an additional incentive to compete at all three venues.

1997 Four-In Hand Top Driver Trophy Presented To Isjbrand Chardon

The FEI 1997 Four-in-Hand Top Driver Award, sponsored by Mr Finn Caspersen (USA) was won by Mr Ijsbrand Chardon (NED). The Chairman of the Driving Committee, Mr Jack Pemberton (CAN) presented the bronze trophy to Mr Chardon during a ceremony organised during the CHIO Aachen.

Strategic Planning Committee Meeting In Aachen

The Strategic Planning Committee Meeting also organised a meeting during the CHIO Aachen. The development of a long term marketing strategy for the FEI was the main topic of discussion.

The Committee had a very productive meeting with the International Equestrian Organisers Association (IEOA) representatives. They together discussed the World Cup situation, the Nations Cup Series and the development of the sport at Top level, including the need for developing reliable information technology. The IEOA informed the Committee that they had established a working group to study TV matters, which would report its findings to the FEI.

FEI/BCM World Jumping Rankings: Ludger Beerbaum In Its 6th Month As Number One

Despite his rich win in the Grand Prix of Aachen Hugo Simon could not overtake Ludger Beerbaum as the World's Number One. It is in the sixth month the reigning European Champion is on top of the Jumping world. Nieberg/Pessoa, John Whitaker/Billington and Raymakers/Tops exchanged places within the Top Ten.

Leslie McNaught, the world's leading lady rider until April 1997, came back to this position, moving ahead of Alison Firestone who had occupied this position the previous six months.

Of interest the moving-up of the Irish: Peter Charles from 15th to 12th, Trevor Coyle from 21st to 15th, while Olympic Champion Ulrich Kirchhoff dropped from 14th to 32nd.

Rankings can be found at: http://www.bcm.nl

FEI Dressage Committee Meeting In Aachen

After Brugge (BEL) in June, a second Dressage Committee Meeting was held on 13 August 1998 during CHIO Aachen (GER). The main issues discussed were:

World Cup
The Secretary General and the World Cup Director Dressage explained the present World Cup state of affairs. It was proposed to change the Japan League into Asian League, which should then also be opened up to other countries in the region. Official World Cup events would also be held in South America in 1999.

Guidelines for Promotion to Official International Judge Status
Guidelines for the promotion to Official International Judge Status were established. These guidelines would also allow, in exceptional circumstances, the possibility of removing the "O" from judges, who did not conform with the requirements laid down.

New Grand Prix Special
The last part of the present Grand Prix Special was shortened and the new version will take effect from 01.01.1999.

FEI/BCM World Dressage Rankings
With respect to the 2000 Olympic Games qualification rules, it was decided that for the two spaces from the FEI/BCM World Dressage Rankings List, the list as per 31.03.2000 (not as previously stated 31.12.1999) should be taken.

FEI Vaulting Committee Meeting In Malmö

On 3 August 1998, the Ordinary Annual Meeting of the Vaulting Committee was held in conjunction with CVI** Malmö (SWE) on 3 August 1998.

Two new Members, Mr Axel Welin (SWE) and Ms Elzbieta Dolinska (POL) joined the Committee for the Meeting. The main items of which were the following:

Calendar 2000
It was noted that the FEI had allocated the 2000 World Championship to Mannheim (GER).

Number of Hours to be Judged
In order to ensure fair judging a recommendation would be made to the Organising Committees that a judge must not be asked to judge at an event more than 7 hours per day, interrupted by breaks.

All parties concerned were reminded that the Rules are up for revision next year. The intention is to maintain the present rules. But serious proposals received through the relevant NFs by the end of January 1999 would certainly be considered.

Recognition of Official Vaulting Body
A proposal for recognition by the FEI of an International Vaulting Club (IVC) was studied and its recognition by the FEI will be recommended.

Competitors Withdrawing After Entries
In order to protect OCs from excessive costs as a result of vaulters withdrawing after entries, the Committee recommended that OCs protect themselves by a clause in the schedule stating that entries will only be valid if accompanied by the entry fees and that such entry fees are non-reimbursable.

In Memoriam Of Mr Alexander Mackay-Smith

The former editor and later publisher of the Chronicle of the Horse (the American equestrian weekly) Alexander Mackay-Smith died early August 1998. He was 91 years old. Alexander Mackay-Smith was an early breeder of the Cleveland Bay in the United States, Master of Foxhounds, founder and guiding spirit of the National Sporting Library and author of several books on fox hunting.