FEI Stakeholder meeting sets unified vision for the future of Dressage
At the highly anticipated FEI Dressage Stakeholder meeting, which was held in person at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 1 October, experts and representatives from across the sport have reaffirmed the core objectives of Dressage and discussed ways of realigning the discipline to reflect these objectives.
The aim is that through balanced and systematic education, horses are trained and ridden to be calm, supple, flexible, confident, and responsive, fostering a deep and positive connection with the rider. The group agreed that these core objectives should be integrated in the FEI Rule book and applied in practice, both while training and competing.
Read the full Press Release here.
As stated in the press release, updates will be provided during the session on the FEI’s Equine Welfare Strategy at the FEI General Assembly in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in November 2024. There will be further opportunities for discussion at the FEI Sports Forum in April 2025.
UPDATE ON FEI MEASURING DEVICE FOR THE CONTROL OF BOSEBAND TIGHTNESS AT FEI EVENTS
Following a successful testing phase, the design of the FEI Measuring Device has now been finalised after more than 600 tests were conducted at FEI Events across the disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Endurance and Driving.
The tests were well accepted by the participating Horses, Athletes, Grooms and Officials.
The tightness of nosebands at FEI Events across all FEI Disciplines, will be assessed using the following FEI Measuring Device designed by the FEI in collaboration with external experts.
The FEI Measuring Device is a pass-through tool that is inserted under the noseband, over the nasal bone, and drawn through from top to bottom. The test is quick and straightforward, taking just a matter of seconds to complete.
If the device passes through, the noseband is loose enough. However, if the device cannot pass through easily, the noseband is considered too tight and the consequences outlined in Art. 1044.8 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations will apply.
The FEI Measuring Device will be rolled out gradually at FEI Events in the first quarter of 2025.
The FEI Measuring Device will be available for purchase by anyone and further information will be provided in that regard at a later stage.
In addition, discipline specific protocols and educational material are being produced for FEI Officials, Athletes and their Support Personnel.
You can address any query to Ana.Kricej@fei.org and/or Goncalo.Paixao@fei.org.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to the athletes, their support teams, FEI officials, Organising Committees, representatives of FEI Stakeholders, and National Federations who participated or contributed to the test phase of this project.