Equestrian Federation of Australia Supports FEI Response to IOC's Eventing Threat

Source :  Equestrian Federation of Australia

The EFA has reviewed the proposal by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to the IOC designed to counter threats to remove Eventing from the Olympic program, and gives it its full support.

Mr. Russ Withers, National President of the EFA, said: "The FEI proposal answers all of the IOC's concerns in a comprehensive and effective manner. The proposed replacement of the Three-Day Event with that of the CIC short format event, addresses issues of cost, land requirements and staffing levels and improves the event's attractiveness to both television and spectators. We fully support the FEI’s proposal."

"Eventing is Australia’s gold medal equestrian discipline with a record three successive Team Gold medals. However, even a change to the short format will require a considerable re-think in team selection and preparation and may well effect the kind of competition organisers offer in the future." Mr. Withers said.

The FEI President, HRH the Infanta Dona Pilar, together with FEI Eventing Committee Chairman, Mr Wayne Roycroft, will put the FEI’s case to keep Eventing in the Olympics to IOC President Jacques Rogge later this month.

If accepted by the IOC, the new short format for Eventing could be introduced as early as at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

At this stage, the next World Equestrian Games to be held in Aachen, Germany, in 2006 will have a Three-Day Event as its Eventing competition format. However, the shorter CIC format is to be used for the new Eventing World Cup competition.