Federation Equestre Internationale

FEI Press News - January 20, 1999

- FEI Executive Board Meeting on 12 January 1999
- Ad Hoc European Union Equestrian Committee
- In Memoriam: The Right Hon. The Lord Lowry (IRL)
- Brian C. Dunn (GBR) appointed to FEI Secretariat
- Forums of discussion on www. horsesport.org
- Dr Douk-Kee Ahn elected President of Asian Equestrian Federation

FEI Executive Board Meeting on 12 January 1999

The Executive Board held its first meeting of the year on 12 January in Madrid (ESP).
The main points discussed were the following:
Marketing
On the initiative of the Strategic Planning Committee and following a decision by the Finance Committee to allocate funds in the 1999 budget for the development of an FEI marketing strategy, the Executive Board appointed the Norwegian agency Thue & Selvaag as advisors. The agency has successfully contributed to the Lillenhamer Olympic Games in 1994 and the Asian Games in 1998 and is involved with marketing of the Athens Olympic Games. Representatives of the agency have already met riders, organisers and other interested parties last October during the World Equestrian Games in Rome and presented a preliminary analysis to the Executive Board. Thue & Selvaag will work closely with the Strategic Planning Committee and present a proposal for the FEI future marketing strategy to the Bureau on the occasion of its April's meeting in Doha.

Veterinary: Study on hypersensitisation
The Executive Board agreed to "match" outside support which has recently been obtained from Bernice Barbour Foundation (USA) for a three year study, to be performed by the University of Davis (USA). The project will focus on the use of advanced thermography to detect abnormal temperatures in the lower limbs of horses. These abnormal temperatures can indicate a state of hypersensitivity (the limb is oversensitive), as well as detect hyposensitivity (for example in a neurectomised horse). The study will also address issues as the practical aspects and possible consequences of using this type of equipment at the competition site.

AD HOC European Union Equestrian Committee

The Executive Board approved the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to liaise with the European Union on matters related to sport. The creation of this committee has been proposed by Group I and II.

In Memorium: The Right Honorary The Lord Lowry (IRL)

The Right Hon. the Lord Lowry (IRL), member of the FEI Bureau, suddenly passed away on Friday 15 January at the age of 79.
Lord Lowry was one of equestrian sport's most popular international show jumping judges. Having served as Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland from 1971-1988, his legal expertise was invaluable to the FEI. Over the years he made an enormous contribution to the FEI, not only as an International Judge, but also in his capacity as member and Chairman of the FEI Judicial Committee. He had the ability to get to the point of an issue which he aptly combined with his diffusing Irish wit. Lord Lowry will be greatly missed by all those who knew and worked with him.

Brian C. Dunn (GBR) Appointed to FEI Secretariat

Major (ret.) Brian C. Dunn has been appointed to the FEI Secretariat in Lausanne. Following a career in the British Army, he has had extensive equestrian experience in different functions in the Far East and Middle East. He has been Manager of Public Equestrian Schools and has held different functions at the Hong Kong Jockey Club during five years. Technical Consultant of the KSA NF, he was the Chef d'Equipe of the Saudi Jumping riders during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. These last years, he was Technical Consultant to the UAE National Federation. In this function, he was part of the Organising Committee of the 1998 World Endurance championship held last December in Abu Dhabi - Dubai, as well as chief steward of the event. Brian Dunn will join the FEI at the beginning of April and work closely with Ms Irmgard Nienstedt, Manager of the Dressage and Vaulting Department, before succeeding her upon her retirement at the end of 1999.

Forums of Discussion on horseport.org

Four Forum of discussions will be opened next week in the "Discuss" section of the FEI internet site. The themes of discussion are the following:

- Judges and officials
- Equestrian sport in Africa
- Young Riders
- Event Organisation

Visitors are welcome to send their input on one of these themes, or suggest other themes to Michael Stone of the FEI Secretariat, Forum moderator.

Dr Douk-Kee Ahn Elected President of Asian Equestrian Federation

Dr Dou-Kee Ahn, President of the Korean Equestrian Federation and former Director of Samsung for the South Eastern Asian region has been elected President of the Asian Equestrian Federation. Great supporter of equestrian sport in Asia, Dr Ahn has been a great contributor to the development of a strong relationship with Samsung, faithful sponsor of equestrian sport for years.