27/06 - General news - FEI stuff - Nouvelles de la FEI
In this letter you’ll find
§ The FEI is looking for a new Head for the Endurance and Reining Department...
§ Message from Jean-Marc Lamolle, Belgium
Publication PferdeWoche, Horse Magazine, Switzerland, 19/ 06/ 02
“Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI)
Requirements
§ Knowledge of horse sport, ideally one of the above mentioned disciplines, preferably at the level of a National federation
§ Excellent knowledge of English, knowledge of French would be an asset
§ Effective communicator
§ Ability to function in a multicultural environment
§ Sense of leadership
§ Free to travel periodically
Place of work Lausanne, Switzerland
Nationality EFTA / EU nationality preferred
Starting date To be discussed
Interested persons should send complete documentation and references to
Dr. Bo Helander, Secretary General, Federation Equestre Internationale,
Av. Mon Repos 24, P.O. Box 157, 1005 Lausanne – Switzerland”
Message from Jean-Marc Lamolle, Belgium
original French Text below
I am happy about Carol Bunting’s answer. There was certainly a misunderstanding concerning the 3 veterinarians judging the pulse of the horse. The system to judge the gait with 3 veterinarians is – I believe – a good solution and has already proved its value. Lately on a French ride (more than 100 starters) we have used this system with success.
But an other point concerning the FEI rules is to discuss: The rule concerning the treatment of a horse within two hours after arrival. I feel this rule is not applicable on endurance rides. Why eliminate a horse which has to be treated within two hours and classify another who develops a colic or other serious problems during the night and has to have invasive treatment until the morning?
For the protection of the horse and to keep the meaning of “fit to continue” it would be interesting to know your opinion. Personally I feel it would be a good idea to judge the physical state of the horse with all the metabolic parameters at the arrival and include a further control one hour after.
La réponse de Carol Bunting m’a rassuré. Il y a certainement eu une mauvaise interprétation ou traduction à propos des 3 vétérinaires jugeant un cheval. Ce système pour juger les allures est à mon sens une bonne solution et a déjà fait ses preuves. Dernièrement sur la course du Bugue dans le Périgord, nous l’avons appliqué avec succès (sur plus de 100 chevaux contrôlés à l’arrivée, l’avis des 3 vétérinaires jugeant les allures n’a divergé que 7 fois).
Un autre point du règlement FEI est discutable : la règle du traitement d’un cheval dans les heures suivant l’arrivée. Je trouve que cette règle n’a pas de fondement dans la cadre d’une épreuve d’endurance : pourquoi éliminer un cheval traité dans les deux heures suivant son arrivée et classer un autre qui développerait une colique ou une fourbure dans la nuit et qui doit être perfusé jusqu’au lendemain matin ?
Pour rester dans l’esprit de la protection du cheval et respecter l’adage « fit to continue », il serait intéressant de connaître l’opinion des personnes impliquées dans le jugement des chevaux à l’arrivée d’une épreuve. Personnellement, je pense qu’il serait facile de se faire une idée exacte de l’état physique d’un cheval en pratiquant le contrôle des paramètres métaboliques, incluant un test de récupération, 1 heure après son arrivée.
Jean-Marc
08/06 - General news - FEI stuff - Nouvelles de la FEI
§ News from the Belgium Equestrian Federations
§ Message from Carol Bunting, Great Britain
§ Message from Toby Crockett, Australia
§ Message from Suzanne Dollinger, Switzerland
§ Analysis of CEI** Ribiers (FRA) and CEI** Punchestown (IRL)
News from the Belgium Equestrian Federations
original letter below
Mr Ingmar de Vos, Secretary General of the Belgium Equestrian Federation, has sent a letter to Prof Dr. Bo Helander, Secretary General of the FEI, on the 7th June 2002 to state that under the given circumstances Belgium doubts to participate at the European Championship 2003.
Brussels, 7th June 2002
Prof. Dr. Bo Helander
Secretary General F.E.I.
-----------------------------
Dear Secretary General, Dear Bo,
RE: Endurance
We received several faxes concerning the Endurance discipline.
In answer to your fax of 7th May, I can inform you that we nominated following contact persons for this discipline in Belgium:
- Pierre ARNOULD, Chef d'Equipe
14 B Rua de M. de Albuquerque P-2750 MURCHES-CASCAIS - PORTUGAL
Phone + 351 918 783 527
- Jean Marc LAMOLLE, Endurance VET
Avenue d'Azebois 8 - B-6041 GOSSELIES - BELGIUM
Phone + Fax: +32 71 35 01 22
We confirm, as we already did during the General Assembly in Rabat, that we fully support the "Toulouse" motion of the group of Chef d'Equipes and their comments on the fax of Michael Stone of 8th May 2002.
We deplore that constructive proposals coming from this international group of specialists and supported by a lot of National Federations involved in this discipline are rejected by the FEI Endurance Committee and that the communication between the parties seems to become more difficult.
We disapprove the 2 x 100 kms formula for the European Championships 2003 and cannot agree with the argumentation of the FEI. Together with many other National Federations involved, we doubt if we will participate under these conditions.
I hope the F.E.I. will be able to find a good solution.
Meanwhile I remain,
Yours Sincerly,
Ingmar De Vos
Secretary General
I feel their is some confusion and perhaps misinterpretation concerning the letter from the FEI Veterinary Comittee, 30/04/02. When have any of us,including Jean-Marc, ever seen three vets taking the heart rate? I most certainly have never been a witness to this at any FEI ride. I believe the confusion has arisen because of the three-card system, now universally used, where there is a doubt as to the soundness of the horse. What a pity that the French and Portuguese Federations are threatening to boycott the 2003 European Championships at Punchestown, Ireland. The Trial Ride held in May of this year was very successful and much enjoyed by the riders of the five nations taking part. I quote from france-endurance.com:
"PUNCHESTOWN en Irlande, CEI ** 19 mai 02
Cette experimentation du circuit irlandais - dans des conditions qui pourraient etre celles du prochain championnat d'Europe - montre donc que 160 km n'est peut-etre pas la distance ideale pour le pays et que 2 fois 100km n'est peut-etre pas l'erreur monumentale qu'on voudrait bien nous faire entrevoir a condition bien sur que cela reste une exception justifiee."
Best wishes,
Carol Bunting.
Interesting to read the discussions about invasive treatment, which is what we in Australia, call any treatment whatsoever that requires any fluid being injected into a horse.
If such an event occurs in Australian rides:
1) The horse is eliminated
2) The vet is required to file with the State Horse Welfare Officer a suit of forms explaining the occurrence
3) The rider may incur demerit points which can lead to his/her suspension. Demerit points apply automatically where intravenous support is required. No demerit points where injury like a cut requires painkillers etc.
Our view is that any horse that requires intravenous fluids for support in any climate has been overridden and the rider should be sanctioned. The injection of any drug (including anti ulcer drugs!) also triggers a similar response and requirement.
We think that the comments about heart rate monitors are also interesting as clearly the decision about elimination may also depend on the regularity and tone of the horses heart. We prefer to rely on and trust our vets to do whatever they think is appropriate for the horse. If the purpose of this proposed system is to eliminate dishonest decisions by vets, we also think that the FEI needs to accredit vets in whom it has trust and get rid of the rotten apples now.
On the general question of horse welfare it seems to us that only when the FEI introduces some method of sanction to those riders who override their horses will their system have any credibility. We believe that the FEI is presently looking at such a system and will support it. The AERA will support the FEI in this, and hope that all other NFs will also allow a system that has some teeth rather than the present system which is all warm and fuzzy but fails to protect the horse.
Regards
Toby
- Staggered Method of Start on the Second Day of a Two Day CEI***Ride
Rides over 200 km / 2 days normally are a special challenge demanding some brainwork from the rider and his grooms: How you manage the first day is often the clue how fast you can go the second day. Because the second day is usually managed as a mass start, grooms and riders have to calculate the time differences and to take a good look at the performance of their close concurrence. For riders and grooms this format is thrilling and very attractive but for the media it is difficult to judge, because the winner of the second day is often not the overall winner.
If you choose – for the sake of the media - a staggered starting method on the second day, the first placed rider of the first day is clearly in disadvantage: There are still 100 km to go, and it would be difficult for a horse to do this in complete loneliness. So the first placed rider (and/or his horse) will wait for the riders close behind him and/or – as it is easier to catch up than to run away – those behind him will soon be in his company. In conclusion a two day ride with a staggered starting method on the second day is tactically nothing else than a one day ride with a very long compulsory halt during the night. In addition 200 km two day rides usually have a much lower completion rate than 160 one day rides: There are more eliminations for lameness because the ride is longer.
- Qualification for Championships
According to the FEI rules it is possible to qualify over 80 km / 2 days (or 120 km / 1 day) for a 160 km / 1 day Championship or – if the European Championship 2003 will be held over 2 x 100 km – it would be possible to qualify over 140 km/ one day. Every rider, trainer, veterinarian who is involved in endurance riding for a long time knows, that there are quite a lot of horses who are excellent performers over one day rides but real losers over two day rides and vice versa.
I just don’t know any other sport than endurance riding where it is possible to compete at an European or World Championship without never ever having done the job before which you have to do there!
The same could be said for organisers, veterinarians and officials...
Analysis CEI** Ribiers – FRA, 19/05/02 and CEI** Punchestown – IRL, 19/05/02
|
|
km |
Number of Vet-Gates |
winner’s speed |
speed last place |
|
CEI** Ribiers |
125 |
3 |
18.83 km/h |
12.00 km/h |
|
CEI** Punchestown |
120 |
4 |
17.73 km/h |
10.69 km/h |
|
|
Starters |
Compl. |
Completion Rate |
eli lame |
eli met |
ret |
un known |
|
CEI** Ribiers |
123 |
73 |
59.3 % |
23 |
16 |
11 |
|
|
CEI** Punchestown |
36 |
15 |
41.7 % |
7 |
4 |
8 |
2 |
CEI** Ribiers – Age of horses
|
Age |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
? |
|
Starters |
--- |
22 |
26 |
26 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
Completions |
--- |
12 |
17 |
19 |
5 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
CEI** Ribiers – Sex of horses and riders
|
Sex |
Mares |
Stallions |
Geldings |
Unknown |
Men |
Women |
|
Starters |
55 |
15 |
49 |
4 |
68 |
55 |
|
Completions |
30 |
7 |
34 |
2 |
39 |
34 |
|
Compl Rate |
54.5 % |
46.7 % |
69.4 % |
|
57.3 % |
61.8 % |
02/06 - General news - FEI stuff - Nouvelles de la FEI
In this letter you’ll find
§ News from the French and Portuguese Equestrian Federations
§ Messages from Jean-Marc Lamolle, Belgium
§ Message from Toby Crockett, Australia
§ Message from Suzanne Dollinger, Switzerland
§ ELDRIC Yearbook 1987: Endurance and the Olympics
§ News from the Chef’s d’Equipe of Jumping
§ FEI Press News 16/02
News from the French and Portuguese Equestrian Federations
- Mme Reverdy, President of the French Equestrian Federation, has sent a letter to HRH l’Infante Dona Pilar de Borbon, President of the FEI, with copy to several European Equestrian Federations on the 25th May 2002 to state that under the given circumstances France won’t participate at the European Championship 2003.
- Mr Paolo Branco, Vice President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, has sent a letter to Mr Freddy Serpieri, Vice President of the FEI, with copy to HRH l’Infante Dona Pilar de Borbon and several European Equestrian Federations on the 3rd June 2002 to state that under the given circumstances Portugal considers to not participate at the European Championship 2003.
Message from Jean-Marc Lamolle, Belgium
original French text below
a) concerning the letter from the FEI Veterinary Committee (see “message 4”)
Point 3 Heart rate monitoring
Quote: “ In conclusion the system used involving three vets independently ausculting the heart and calculating the heart rate is considered optimum and fair.”
I cannot understand the attitude of Halvard and Jeffcott. Three vets to sound one horse - this starts to be pure ineptitude. I ask myself how to manage this on a ride with more than 100 starters how it is often the case on French rides. It would be time that the persons responsible of the FEI take in account the real conditions of the veterinary examination during a course. In reading this you could think they’ve never officiated a vet-gate.
b) concerning the message from Jocelyne Alligier, FRA
Quote: “ I am very surprised, even shocked by the way how intravenous applications of fluid for comfort grows into a custom. Even if the rules forbid treatment within two hours after the race – this does not solve all the problems (how do we i.e. know what is given secretly in the boxes?). It is time to fix the limits if the riders are not able to understand that it is unacceptable to demand an effort of a horse which surpasses his capabilities.”
I completely agree with the opinion of Jocelyne.
c) concerning Point 4 of the “Toulouse Motion”: Heart Rate Monitor
The fact to show the heart rate to the public via a monitor doesn’t bother me at all but I think that this practise will lead to some controversies and confusions during the veterinary control. I.e. think about a rider who refuses a veterinary elimination for heart problems because his horse has been controlled “ok by the monitor”. Or think about nervous horses who will have 65 with the monitor but in fact are in perfect condition etc. I believe that this practise will increase the number of discussions and protests in the vet-gate area. On the other hand I also believe that it gives a discredit and creates an attitude of suspicion on the integrity of the veterinary officials. If there are really questionable veterinarians, the FEI has to take its responsibility and dismiss them definitely from the vet-gates.
Je ne comprends pas l’attitude de Halvard et de Jeffcott. 3 vétos pour ausculter un seul cheval, ça devient de l’ineptie pure. Je me demande comment ils pourraient gérer ça sur une course où il y a plus de 100 partants comme souvent en France !!!! J
Il serait grand temps que les responsables de la FEI réfléchissent sérieusement aux conditions réelles de l’examen sur le terrain, c’est à croire qu’ils n’ont jamais officié sur un vet-gate.
Quant à la réponse venant de France, Je partage l’opinion de Jocelyne Alligier à propos des perfusions de « confort ».
Le fait de montrer au public la fréquence cardiaque via un moniteur ne me gêne pas mais j’estime que cette pratique va engendrer beaucoup de controverses lors du contrôle vétérinaire et risque de prêter à confusion. Quid du cavalier « mauvais coucheur » qui s’opposera à une décision d’élimination pour un problème cardiaque parce que « son cheval a été contrôlé bon au moniteur », quid des chevaux émotifs qui vont être contrôlés à 65 au moniteur alors qu’ils sont en parfaite condition, etc.. ?
Je pense que cette pratique va augmenter encore le nombre de discussions et de contestations dans les aires de vet-gate. D’autre part, je considère que cela jette un discrédit et crée un sentiment de suspicion sur l’intégrité des vétérinaires officiels. Si, effectivement, il y a des brebis galeuses parmi les vétérinaires officiels, la FEI n’a qu’à prendre ses responsabilités et les écarter définitivement des aires de vet-gate.
Jean-Marc Lamolle
Australia is very pleased that the minimum speeds have been removed from FEI endurance rides. We are happy with the new qualification criteria for elevation from three star to four, although we think that the 50% of the field elevation is a bit soft.
The changed weighing criteria, the changed second day start in 2 x100k Championship rides we are also happy with.
We think that the issue of rider weight loss needs to be clarified as the present system is a bit open to abuse. Under AERA rules it is up to the rider to maintain his weight and if he comes in under weight he is disqualified, most riders here use the bridle as a buffer.
In Australia we have a Novice Horse system whereby a horse has to qualify to be an endurance horse and that requires 2 x 40k rides followed by 3 x 80 k rides all done at a pace below 14kph. The three 80k rides have to be done in not less than 90 days.
We completely disregard 1 Star rides and our only interest in 2 Star rides is the Masters series
In Switzerland and France the national qualification system demands from rider and horse to qualify step by step, before being allowed to participate at CEI’s or CEN’s:
Switzerland France
1. 50 – 60 km 20 – 30 km
2. 70 – 80 km 40 km
3. 90 – 100 km 60 km
4. 2 x 90 km
Those qualification rides (with the exception of the French 90 km rides) have to be ridden in a limited speed ( 10/12 – 15 km/h).
That’s why we too disregard 1 Star rides and feel that Endurance (CEI) starts at about 100 km and above.
“A brief look into the future: It is seriously considered that with luck Endurance riding could be demonstration sport already at the 1992 Olympic Games.”
The Chefs d’Equipe of jumping have founded a club during the CSIO at Lucerne, Switzerland. The first meeting was visited by the Chefs d’Equipe of Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden, Switzerland and Italy. Their goals are to have more influence concerning different matters of jumping in general and with the FEI... President of the club is Jean-Maurice Bonneau, France, Vice-President is Martin Walther, Switzerland.
“20 Years of Endurance
....The sport has changed over these years although the fundamental principles have not. Today the rides are faster, the riders more professional and with that improvement the quality of all aspects have generally improved. The challenge for the next 20 years is to maintain this improvement and to ensure that as in the past the horse’s welfare is the paramount concern of all in the sport.”
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- Tous droits réservés-2004/2008
Dernière modification le
17/08/07