Federation Equestre Internationale

FEI Press News - June 17, 1999

- Pulsar Crown Series extended to 2004
- CHIO Aachen 1999: Case McLain Ward
- Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
- Balkan Championship Jumping Juniors & Ladies & Dressage cancelled
- Meeting of Group IV in Jamaica
- Alastair Martin Bird (GBR) appointed as FEI TV Coordinator
- 1998 Four-in-Hand Top Driver Trophy presented to Thomas Eriksson
- CHIO Aachen: Ratina Z : Farewell to an exceptional horse
- Arnhem European Dressage Championship preview
- Samsung Nations Cup: Switzerland leads the standings

Pulsar Crown Series extended to 2004
After Grand Prix of Aachen on Sunday 20 June, Mr Everardo Garcia, director of the Pulsar Crown Series, announced that the organisers of the world's richest show jumping series, decided to extend it to 2004.

Launched in 1995, the Pulsar Crown's purses are awarded based on a rider's results in the Grand Prix of three prestigious events: Aachen (GER), Valkenswaard (NED) and Monterrey (MEX). A win at any one of these competitions brings a purse of US$ 25,000, two wins within a cycle results in a minimum of US$ 600,00 and the minimum three-win purse is US$ 1.5 million. The Pulsar Crown has already awarded more than 1 million US dollars in prize money. To date, veteran rider Hugo Simon (AUT) has been the most successful in this series with a double-win in Aachen in 1998 that earned him US$ 800,000, the largest purse ever awarded in show jumping.

The Pulsar Crown Series is sponsored by Pulsar International, a global company based in Monterrey (MEX) that markets its product in more than 120 countries around the world.

CHIO Aachen 1999: Case McLain Ward
Following an examination of the horse Beneton ridden by McLain Ward (USA) in the first Jumping competition of CHIO Aachen (GER), it was noted by officials that plastic chippings were seen to fall from the boots of the horse when they were removed. The Appeal Committee had disqualified the rider from the entire event.

Having considered the reports by the CHIO Aachen officials, Secretary General Dr Bo Helander, decided to refer the case to the Judicial Committee.

Before taking a decision, the Judicial Committee will consider all written and oral evidence (General Regulations Art. 165.1). The Person Responsible (PR) will have the opportunity to present his case during a hearing before the Committee if he so chooses. The PR must be given due process and will be allowed the possibility to prepare his case for an eventual hearing.

Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
The Strategic Planning Committee met on 23 and 24 June 1999 in Stockholm (SWE). Honorary Bureau Member Mr William C. Steinkraus (USA) was invited to attend.

Three working groups had been formed to produce a report pertaining to the future strategy of the FEI in the following areas:

1) Sport and FEI Rules, FEI-NFs relations chaired by Hanfried Haring (GER)
2) Commercial aspects and public relations chaired by Rune Borg (SWE)
3) Development and information technology, chaired by Michael Stone (IRL).

The three groups will present a preliminary report to the Executive Board and Bureau in November 1999. A finalised report would be presented to the Bureau and General Assembly 2000.

The other items discussed were the following:
- Development of training material and courses not only for officials but also for riders
- Publication and Communication strategy: the format and contents of the FEI Bulletin was particularly discussed.
- French as an FEI official language: the Committee will recommend to the Executive Board to study the financial impact of the use of French as a second language.

The Strategic Planning Committee met representatives of Thue & Selvaag, advisors to the FEI for marketing strategy. Further to the preliminary analysis presented during the 1999 General Assembly in April, the agency was asked to work on a proposal for a plan of action for the next Executive Board Meeting that will be held on 28 July in London (GBR).

Balkan Championship Jumping Juniors & Ladies & Dressage Cancelled
The organisers of the 1999 Balkan Championships for Jumping Juniors, Ladies and Dressage due to take place from 1 to 4 July 1999 in Istanbul (TUR), informed the FEI that they had to cancel the event as Brussels had not granted any clearance for EU horses to return after the event.

The Championship will be organised again next year in Turkey. The Balkan Championship in Jumping should take place as scheduled from 17 to 19 September 1999 in Istanbul.

Meeting of Group IV in Jamaica
Hosted by the Jamaican Federation and Chaired by the Group Chairman Jane Forbes Clarke, a very successful Group VI meeting took place in Jamaica last week.

The principle topic on the Agenda was the development of the region and many constructive suggestions were made. The main items were:
- Changes to the FEI World Challenge Competitions.
- The establishment of a Caribbean Championship in Dressage and Jumping.
- The development of an FEI Training program for the region.
- Ways to assist the movement of horse within the region

Alastair Martin Bird (GBR) Appointed as FEI TV Co-Ordinator
The FEI appointed Alastair Martin Bird as TV co-ordinator to assist the Secretary General. Alastair Martin Bird, founder of Martin Bird Productions (MBP), a television production company based in the UK, is working for the FEI on the set up of an International Television Horse Sport Library since 1998.

Further to the agreement with the European Broadcasting Union, the association between the FEI and MBP constitutes a further step of the FEI towards an increased visibility of equestrian sport on television.

1998 Four-In-Hand Top Driver Trophy Presented to Thomas Eriksson
The FEI 1998 Four-in-Hand Top Driver Award, sponsored by Mr Finn Caspersen (USA) was won by the Swedish driver Thomas Eriksson. FEI Secretary General presented the bronze trophy to Mr Eriksson during a ceremony organised during the CHIO Aachen.

CHIO Aachen: Ratina Z: Farewell to an Exceptional Horse
48,000 spectators in the stadium and millions of television viewers saw the last ride of the exceptional Ratina Z ridden by Ludger Beerbaum (GER).

In 1996 the pair won the Grand Prix of Aachen, as well as team gold at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

In 1997 they claimed a double triumph at the European Championships in Mannheim. Ludger Beerbaum led the FEI/BCM Jumping rankings from March 1998 to February 1999.

Arnhem European Dressage Championship Review
The 1999 European Dressage Championship will take place in Arnhem (NED) from 30 June to 4 July.

Twenty-five countries are entered with individuals or teams. 63 riders have announced their participation, including World Cup Champion Anky Van Grunsven (NED) with Gestion Bonfire and World Champion Isabell Werth (GER), not with her winning mount of the 1998 World Equestrian Games, Gigolo FRH, but with her second horse Antony FRH.

Samsung Nations Cup: Switzerland Leads the Standings
A decisive win for Switzerland in Aachen, ahead of the home team, promoted them once again into the lead in the Samsung Nations Cup team rankings at the season's midway point. Great Britain, who had completed the first round in fifth place, pulled back to finish third at the expense of Italy and the USA.

Former leaders of the Samsung Nations Cup series, France, failed to qualify for the second round, alongside Brazil, Belgium and Holland.

Markus Fuchs' single clear round moves him into the lead in the Samsung Nations Cup rider rankings, with 7 points, ahead of fellow countryman, Willi Melliger.

The next Nations Cup takes place in Drammen, Norway, on Sunday, 27 June, 1999.

HorsesDaily Related Links
FEI / BCM World Riders Rankings
Visit the Samsung Nations Cup web site
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