At the end of July, a round table discussion about the sport of endurance was held in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the invitation of the Fédération Equestre Internationale. Over the course of the meeting, it was decided, among other things, to appoint a commission of experts to analyze the problems in endurance and submit proposals for resolving them by Jan. 31, 2014.
The Swiss Equestrian Federation does not agree with the composition of the panel of experts as proposed by the FEI or with the goals formulated by the bureau. The commission is to consist mainly of representatives who are closely affiliated to the FEI and who have, in some cases, long occupied leading positions in international endurance sport.
As a consequence, the SEF feels that the independence of this commission is not guaranteed. Moreover, it feels that the analysis of the situation and the necessary immediate measures discussed at the round table meeting are not expressed with sufficient clarity in the commission’s mandate.
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The SEF was asked by the FEI to delegate its Secretary General Sandra Wiedmer as a representative in the commission. But the SEF rejects this representation for the above-mentioned reasons.
The SEF demands a neutral, external and independent chairperson of the commission, together with a representative cross-section of judges, veterinary surgeons, athletes and acknowledged equine experts, including from other disciplines.
Regardless of the future composition of the commission, the Swiss Equestrian Federation will continue its efforts to ensure the future of endurance sport.
