The new International Grooms Association will sign a MOU with the FEI, giving the unsung pros the same status as other stakeholder groups.

Covid mitigation measures may complicate heat stress management in horses, plus calls for future Olympics to be moved to later in the year.

The occasion is marked with a special video and a 100 Years Hub featuring stories, interviews, online competitions and fan activities.

The opening session will focus on the upcoming Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Covid-19 countermeasures, substitution rules, and more.

TV station RTL is set to broadcast video of the controversial practice, but has refused to give the German equestrian federation a copy.

CAS partially dismisses appeal against suspension, leaving race promoters to pay the FEI over $1m in fines and organisers’ dues.

"We are extremely disappointed...to lose this case on appeal is more than disheartening." ~ FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez.

As well as horse abuse, the US rider is found to have brought the sport into disrepute and committed criminal acts under Swiss law.

Topics up for discussion include proposed changes to Jumping, Vaulting and Driving rules, with a special session dedicated to grooms.

The US Jumping athlete has also been disqualified from eight events in 2018 and 2019 for using electric spurs on his horses.