In this letter you’ll find comments concerning

§         Individual Qualification Criteria for Championships/ CEI**** rides

§         Nations Qualification Criteria for Senior World Championships

 

 

§         Individual Qualification Criteria for Championships/ CEI**** rides

§         Nations Qualification Criteria for Senior World Championships

 

The FEI asked for the views of the National Endurance Federations on each of the above mentioned items by the 31st July 2004.

 

As some of the Federations communicated/ discussed this matter between them, I had the opportunity to read several proposals. I got the feeling that the FEI Endurance Committee will have some difficulties to find a consensus because of the wide variety of ideas and wishes.

 

I.e.:  Individual Qualification Criteria for Championships/ CEI**** rides

 

The FEI proposed that rider/horse must

  1. Successfully complete the ride(s) (as defined in art. 825.3) equal to, or greater than, the published Championship or CEI**** distance (5kms tolerance accepted)
  2. Successfully complete the ride(s) (as defined in art.825.3) in a time equal to, or less than, 14 hours (total ride time).
  3. Successfully complete the ride(s) (as defined in art. 825.3) which is the same time frame as the published Championship or CEI**** :

 

National Federations proposed for point 2 “total ride time”

·      12.15 hours (ca. 13 km/h)

·      14.00 hours (ca. 11.4 km/h)

·      15.00 hours (ca. 10.7 km/h)

 

Analysis:

·      With a 5 km tolerance accepted concerning the distance, the minimal accepted speed would be (for 14 hours total ride time)

155 km                       11,07 km/h

160 km                       11,43 km/h

165 km                       11,79 km/h

Ø      Question: Wouldn’t it be better to indicate the minimal riding time in km/h instead of hours to equal the possible differences of the distance?

 

 

·      The word “to qualify” has its origin from the Latin words “qualitas” (quality) and “facere” (to do). So in fact “to qualify” means that a rider/ horse must prove in advance that they have the quality to do what they are asked for at a Championship ride.

Ø      Question: Is it really a worthy qualification if rider/ horse have finished a ride in 15 hours (ca. 10.7 km/h) and are allowed to participate at a Championship where the minimal riding time is fixed at 12.15 hours (ca. 13 km/h)?

 

·      The individual qualification criteria do only concern those riders who want to qualify for a Championship. It doesn’t influence the organization of a ride.

Ø      Example: An organization fixes the minimal riding time for a special ride at i.e. 18 hours. Every rider who finishes within this time is placed, but only riders who finished the ride within i.e. 14 hours are eligible to be selected for a Championship.

 

I.e.:  Nations Qualification Criteria for Senior World Championships

 

The FEI proposed that nations have to qualify as a team if they want to participate at the team competition at Senior World Championships.

 

National Federations proposed

- no team qualification at all

- a less severe team qualification as proposed by the FEI

- a more severe team qualification as proposed by the FEI

- a less complicated team qualification as proposed by the FEI

- a more complicated team qualification as proposed by the FEI

 

Ø      Most of the National Endurance Federations hope that the Equestrian Endurance Sport will be accepted as an Olympic discipline. Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing have to submit to a strict Olympic Individual and Nations Qualification Procedure.

Question: If Endurance would be accepted as an Olympic discipline for i.e. 2008, would it be better if we already had developed our own proven Nations Qualification or would it be better if the Olympic Committee would develop a new and sudden one for us?