FEI to Develop Strategic Action Plan for Dressage

The FEI has created a dedicated Working Group tasked with developing a comprehensive strategic Action Plan for Dressage, aimed at establishing a clear vision, realigning objectives, and creating actionable plans to enhance Dressage at all levels.

Comprised of leading figures in the Discipline, the group brings together a wealth of expertise to address challenges and opportunities facing the sport today.

The Working Group which will be chaired by George Williams (USA), former President of the United States Dressage Federation, US Equestrian Dressage Youth Coach and High Performance & Pathway Development Advisor, will also include the following key figures from across the Dressage community:

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Monica Theodorescu (GER), an Olympic, World, and European champion, has had a remarkable career both in and out of the arena. She was part of gold medal-winning teams at the Olympic Games and the FEI World Equestrian Games™, claimed victory at the 1993 and 1994 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals, and secured the European Championship title in 1993. She also made history as the first woman appointed as German National Dressage Coach.
Raphael Saleh (FRA), President of the Dressage Ground Jury for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and a Level 4 Judge.
Gareth Hughes (GBR), renowned British Dressage rider with more than 60 national and international titles to his name.
Kyra Kyrklund (FIN) a six-time Olympian and former FEI Dressage World Cup™ champion, is the former President and now Vice-President of the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC). She has also served as national trainer for Finland, Sweden, and Portugal.
Klaus Roeser (GER), Chairman of the German National Federation Dressage Committee, Board Member (Athlete Representative) of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) and Secretary General of the IDRC.
Lise Berg (DEN), DVM PhD. Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

“Dressage should be built on balanced, ethical training resulting in freedom of movement, ease in transitions, and harmony between horse and rider, with no place for tension or resistance,” FEI Dressage Director Ronan Murphy said.

“Our focus now is to embed these principles in the FEI Rule Book and ensure they are applied consistently in training and competition, always putting horse welfare first.

“The Working Group’s task is to turn these ideals into everyday practices, prioritising the wellbeing of horses as we move forward with future proposals and format changes.

“The Working Group was carefully selected not only for their expertise but also for their profound understanding of Dressage. This diverse group represents a cross-section of the community, ensuring a broad range of perspectives. Their collective knowledge and vision will be instrumental in shaping a strategic plan that not only addresses the current challenges in the sport but also ensures the wellbeing of our horses, incorporates stakeholder feedback, and positions Dressage for long-term success.”

One of the first tasks of the Working Group will be to carry out a comprehensive review of the current state of Dressage. The Working Group will also evaluate feedback from stakeholders given in advance and during a stakeholder meeting on 1 October 2024, and will categorise suggestions into well-defined focus areas for targeted action. Central to their efforts will be prioritising equine ethics and wellbeing, with the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Action Plan serving as a guiding framework for key initiatives.

Additionally, the group will work on creating a repository of relevant scientific research, consulting with veterinary experts to create an accessible information resource for stakeholders. To further enhance the sport’s integrity, the Working Group will propose future rule revisions, with immediate attention on partial updates for 2025 and the 2026 full Rules Revision for Dressage.

The Working Group will report regularly to the Dressage Technical Committee, the FEI Board, and relevant stakeholder groups to ensure transparency and collaboration throughout the process. The Working Group will make their first presentation to the FEI Sports Forum on 31 March.