Federation Equestre Internationale

FEI Press News - May 21, 1999

- Positive Medication Case: CORAL COVE
- Samsung Nations Cup Series: France consolidate lead after Rome Nations Cup event
- Eventing Committee Meeting in Badminton (GBR),10 May 1999
- In Memoriam

Positive Medication Case: CORAL COVE
The FEI Judicial Committee has issued its decision in the matter of the Coral Cove case today, Friday, 21 May 1999.

Coral Cove, an 11 year old liver chestnut gelding, ridden by Polly Phillipps, finished seventh individually and was a member of the British bronze medal team at the Eventing competition held in Rome as part of the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

The Judicial Committee has considered the evidence and testimony presented to it and the arguments made before it, including at a hearing held in London on 29 April 1999. The Judicial Committee concluded that Coral Cove, tested at the WEG on 4 October 1999, was found to have Salicylic Acid at a level exceeding the internationally established threshold level. Salicylic Acid at a level exceeding the threshold level constitutes a Prohibited Substance.

The Judicial Committee further concluded that there was no deliberate attempt of Mrs Phillipps to affect the performance of Coral Cove.

The Judicial Committee imposed Mrs Phillipps and Coral Cove the mandatory disqualification from the event and has further imposed on Mrs Phillipps one month's suspension and the payment of the costs for the judicial procedure.

Samsung Nations Cup Series: France consolidate lead after Rome Nations Cup event
France Team won the Samsung Nations Cup Series event in the Piazza de Sienna, Rome that was held Thursday 20 May 1999. The French continue to dominate the team rankings following this decisive victory to finish with an eight fault total ahead of Switzerland's 24. In his usual indomitable style, the vice-champion of the world, Thierry Pomel's habit of producing double clear rounds once again surfaced with his faithful partner Thor des Chaines. Very good performances also from Jacques Bonnet and Gilles de Balanda riding Apache d'Adriers and Crocus Graviere respectively.

Switzerland overtook the first round performance of both the home team and the Germans to take second place, helped by a superb double clear from Willi Melliger riding the big grey gelding Calvaro V.

Italy slipped from second after the first round to finish in third place just four points adrift although both Arioldi with a total of just four points from his two rounds and Guido Dominici with eight both turned in superb performances on the difficult course.

Belgium did not consolidate on their win in La Baule finishing with a huge two round total of 68.25 only slightly better than the 72 of Denmark. Holland again failed to make the second round along with Austria and Brazil who were eliminated from the competition when Alvaro Miranda failed to appear for the first round thus eliminating the team.

France extend their lead at the top of the rankings by a 6.50 point margin, with Switzerland in second, followed by USA.

The next Samsung Nations Cup in Europe takes place on Saturday 29 May in Madrid.

Eventing Committee Meeting in Badminton (GBR),10 May 1999
The Eventing Committee met on the 10 May 1999, after the very a rainy 50th anniversary CCI**** Badminton (GBR).

Many important items were discussed and it was decided to finalise most of the decisions at the next meeting which would be held in October during CCI*** Boekelo (NED). This would give the Committee members the opportunity to seek the opinion of people and organisations involved. The items discussed referred to the following main topics:

FUTURE OF THE SPORT
- Promotion of the Young Rider and Junior Categories of Eventing
- Develop a specific Championship Calendar for Eventing, including Championships for all stars level.
- Encourage the organisation of CCIOs and eventually develop a "CCIO Nation's Cup" Series
- Necessity of introducing a quota for Eventing World Championships
- Encourage the organisation of One Day Events (CICs) within the framework of other discipline events i.e. International Jumping, Dressage or Driving events, in order to promote the sport
- Review the new scoring system
- finalise recommendations in regard to the Show Jumping study
PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO THE 1999 RULES FOR EVENTING TO COME INTO EFFECT 1ST JANUARY 2000
- Allow Young Riders to start in 2 Star Events for Seniors from the age of 16
- Modify the qualification requirements of riders for CCIOs to correspond with CCIs of the same star level
GENERAL MATTERS
- Encourage better co-operation with the Eventing World Breeding Championship Organisers
- Organise an Eventing Judges and TD course in the French language in 2000
- The Development of Eventing in South America and South East Asia following the involvement of the FEI Eventing Development Officers, Jennifer Millar (NZL) and Capt. Josč Ortelli (ARG). They had enabled the number and quality of events organised in these regions to improve in an impressive way.

An Open forum will again be organised on Wednesday 6 October 1999 at CCI*** Boekelo (NED). Topics such as the review of the new scoring system will be included on the Agenda for discussion with the participants.

IN MEMORIAM
The eventing rider Peta Beckett (GBR) suffered a fatal accident while competing at the national Savernake Forest Horse Trials (GBR) on 15 May. She was 33. She finished 21st in Badminton CCI**** this year and, member of the British team, finished 24th individual at the World Equestrian Games in Pratoni del Vivaro, Rome (ITA) in October 1998.

Mr Arnold Schumacher (SUI), equestrian sport journalist member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists, passed away on 14 May 1999 after a short illness. He was 83 years old.

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