FEI General Assembly Concludes in Puerto Rico

The final day of the FEI General Assembly 2015 took place in San Juan (PUR) today, and FEI President Ingmar De Vos opened the day’s proceedings with thanks to the Puerto Rican Equestrian Federation, its President Rosana Roig and her team for the wonderful welcome. This is the second time that the FEI General Assembly has been in Puerto Rico, which previously hosted the annual meeting 18 years ago.

“I believe also this might be the first time an FEI General Assembly has been held on a Friday the 13th, unless anyone else can remember such an occasion”, the FEI President said in his opening address, “but I am not superstitious so I can only assume all will go smoothly and according to plan!”

During the all-day meeting, member National Federations voted on a wide range of topics, which are detailed here. A total of 100 of the 134 member National Federations were represented, 75 in-person and 25 by proxy.

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Rodrigo Garcia, Rio 2016 Sports Director, gave delegates an update on developments at the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster, and home to the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Centre. Details included the proximity of the Equestrian Centre to the other sports at Deodoro, Games-time accommodation including the Athletes’ Village, the competition schedule and the success of the Test Event.

Martin Atock of Peden Bloodstock then updated National Federations on biosecurity measures in Rio and the equestrian freight manual.

Delegates were also given the latest information on progress with the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Bromont/Montreal (CAN), and heard a presentation from Roly Owers, Chief Executive of the equine charity World Horse Welfare, the FEI’s welfare advisor for more than 30 years.

Once business had been concluded, the FEI President welcomed two new member Federations into the FEI Family by presenting the FEI flag to Angola and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The President also made a special presentation to outgoing Chair of the Vaulting Committee, Emma Seely (USA), in recognition of her dedication to the discipline during her eight-year term in office. Sergey Buikevich (KAZ), outgoing Chair of FEI Regional Group III, was also honoured for his eight years on the FEI Bureau.

FEI Badges of Honour for National Federation representatives that have attended 15 or more FEI General Assemblies were then presented to six individuals by the FEI President. Recipients of FEI Badges of Honour were Michael Cherry (BER); Robert Fekar (SVK); Andrew Finding (GBR); Sadyr Mamytov (KGZ); Fred Sundwall (FIN) and Betty Wates (JAM).

Photo caption: FEI General Assembly 2015 in full session on 13 November 2015 in San Juan, Puerto Rico (PUR). FEI/Richard Juilliart
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