Why did IPEC join FEI?
Three years ago the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided to encourage Paralympic sports to have closer ties with their International sporting body for the able-bodied, with a view to becoming an integral part of that body.
This is in keeping with the philosophy that the "sport " is the key aspect of Paralympianism, not the "disability". The ultimate aim of this move is to have all athletes who participate in a sport, both able-bodied and disabled, covered by the one responsible organization: - that sport’s international federation. For equestrian sport, that International body is the Federation Equestrian International – the FEI.
The FEI is the natural home for all equestrians.
The IPC General Assembly voted in 2003 for IPEC to join the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). The IPEC was committed to assist this change within the equestrian community.
At the same time, many nations are also adopting this "mainstreaming" approach with national federations and organisations for the disabled which, in the past, administered sports people with disabilities. The IPEC chairman and committee members have worked hard to facilitate the National Federations of the FEI (the NFs) to include equestrian athletes with a disability into their organisational structure. In April 2004 these NFs voted for IPEC to join the FEI as their 8th discipline.
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What is the new organisation structure? Has there been a change of name?
IPEC was a sports committee of the IPC, and as such had its last meeting in Moorsele, Belgium in September 2005. At that meeting Mr. Ian Williams the FEI PE Manager attended and advised on procedures that needed to take place to facilitate the transfer of governance from the jurisdiction of IPC to FEI. This is a major change and will take some time to be fully embraced throughout the world.
Our name is now FEI Para Equestrian - FEI PE, or simply PE for short.
The members of the IPEC Committee retired at the end of 2005 and a temporary FEI PE Technical Committee was formed to deal with communication and matters to be resolved prior to the Bureau appointing a permanent committee as part of the FEI structure, in April 2006. National Federations are invited to nominate suitably qualified and experienced persons for the permanent committee which will be approved at the 2006 FEI General Assembly.
Many of the judges, classifiers, and officials, who were involved and accredited under IPEC, will be transferred to FEI lists.
The IPC will eventually be responsible only for the Paralympic Games. All other levels of our competition are now the responsibility of the FEI, and will be handled through their National Federations – the NFs.
What is the PE Temporary Technical Committee, who is on it?
With Para Equestrian sport under the governance of the FEI, a Para Equestrian Technical Committee will provide the relevant technical advice and expertise. That Committee is due to be appointed at the FEI General Assembly in April 2006. In the meantime a temporary Committee is undertaking the necessary work. It comprises:
· Mrs. Jonquil Solt GBR as FEI PE Chairman
· Ulf Wilken SWE, and
· Mrs. Susan Cusack AUS
It is assisted and advised on Classification matters by Dr Chris Meaden GBR, by Angelika Trabert GER as the athletes’ representative, and the Secretariat functions are under the direction of Mr. Ian Williams, FEI Manager for Para Equestrian.
The PE Temporary Committee with the aid of several other ex members and interested persons has drawn up a set of FEI PE Rules. The PE Dressage Rules are based, as before, on the FEI Dressage Rules for the able-bodied, and the PE Driving Rules are based on the FEI Driving Rules for the able-bodied. Other relevant Rules include the PE Generic Rules, the FEI Statutes and FEI General Regulations. All the PE Rules will be put to the FEI General Assembly in April for approval.
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Will it make a difference to me as a competitor?
In the past you may have contacted a wide range of people and organisations.
As a competitor within your nation it will now mean that for all queries regarding your sport, including functional classification and competitions, you will need to contact your National Equestrian Federation.
Your NF is now your official contact.
Most importantly, you will only be able to compete internationally through your NF and you will, of course, need to become familiar with the FEI Rules which will apply to our sport.
In the transition from IPEC responsibility to NF responsibility, there may be some differences in the speed with which the NF makes provision for a nominated person or committee to deal with enquiries and as a rider you need to take some responsibility to try to assist and educate your NF about PE and also to be a patient and willing ambassador for PE.
Also you should use the web sites to keep yourself up to date on information you may need
www.horsesport.org/ParaEquestrian and www.ipec-athletes.de
I am not a member of our NF. Does this mean I cannot compete internationally?
Athletes wanting to compete in FEI sanctioned events will be required to become a member of their National Federation.
Details for joining will vary from nation to nation so please contact your NF for an application form. This may involve a fee, but usually there are benefits such as insurance, information, training opportunities etc. They may also be able to help you with sponsorship, and fund-raising.
I want to compete internationally this year. Is it different from last year? If so what do I have to do?
The first and major change is that all information about events will be communicated to and distributed by the National Federations.You must ask your NF what you should do to be selected. You cannot enter yourself for an event – all entries have to be made by your NF.
You can also keep yourself up-to-date by looking at the websites, including that of your NF. Reading the article ‘About Para Equestrian’ on the websites may also help.
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Does anything need to be done to confirm an event for 2006, even if it was listed by IPEC on its Calendar last year?
From now on all international PE events will be FEI events and must therefore be undertaken according to FEI Rules. There are forms for Schedules; the Organising Committee (OC) must fill one in with their NF, and then the NF will send it to the FEI Secretariat for authorisation. Annex V of the PE Rules will help you, but for this first year you may also ask the PE committee for advice.
No event is official until it is authorised by the FEI.
Now that we have joined FEI will all riders still have to be classified?
Will there be the same Grades and processes as for IPEC? Whom should I now contact about classification?
As previously under IPEC, all athletes will need to be internationally classified to be eligible to compete internationally. All general or specific classification queries or requests should be directed to your NF, who may contact the Chief Classifier if necessary.
Both the PE Rules and the Generic Rules may answer some of your queries. You should also familiarise yourself with the FEI Statutes and General Regulations, the PE Generic Rules, the PE Dressage Rules and/or the PE Driving Rules.
As in 2005, there will be five Grades for Dressage – Grades Ia, Ib, II, III and IV.
Driving has two Grades, Grade I and Grade II.
Will we have new Dressage Tests for either Dressage or Driving?
IPEC Dressage Tests are unchanged except:
- Freestyle and Music Tests have new artistic marking;
- All top tests are designated as Team and Championship Tests;
- Warm-up Tests have been re-named Preliminary Tests;
- Derby Tests have been re-named Short Tests.
- Grade Ia has two new Team and Championship Tests;
- Grade Ib uses Tests 14 and 15 as Team and Championship Tests;
- Grade I Tests 5 to 9 (with alternative movements) are discontinued.
All Organising Committees should hold separate competitions for Grade Ia and Ib. Organisers are encouraged to use Tests suitable for the standard of riders expected.
PE Driving uses FEI Driving Test number 4.
You can find the 2006 tests on the athletes' website; same www as before. They will be published by FEI when they have been approved by the National Federations.
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What about the Para Equestrian Calendar – will it be published as before?
Yes, there is a draft Calendar now on the websites and it will be updated from time to time.
Do I need to have my own horse to be able to compete?
It is best if you can use a horse with which you are familiar; but if you have not got one, or cannot travel it to the competition, one can be borrowed or rented to use as your own.
If you do not know where to find a horse, the event Organiser can be asked if they can give you any addresses or telephone numbers of people who might be able to help. Your NF could also ask the host NF.
Do I need an FEI Passport for my horse?
Horses who compete in their home country must be registered with their NF, be identifiable by diagram, and have a valid vaccination certificate.
FEI passports are required for all horses competing outside their country of residence. Ask your NF about a passport if you aim to compete in international competitions organised by other nations.
I would like to compete in driving trials for people with disabilities.
Whom do I contact?
Para Equestrian Driving is an FEI World Championship sport. For more details contact your NF.
I would like to show jump. What opportunities are there?
Para Equestrian Jumping is not yet an official FEI or IPC discipline. However, there are international jumping competitions for people with disabilities in France, and in some other countries. Many of these competitions are run at a national or international show for able-bodied people. Some are national competitions for riders with disabilities.
There are classes for blind riders, who jump low fences following a sighted rider; other riders have jumped off at up to 1.10 m. If you want to know more, contact Tony Bott -
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.
He would also like to hear from you as to what is happening in your country.
What do I do if I want any help with anything?
Ask your NF. They are there to assist you, but you must also be prepared to help yourself. You and your horse must be competition fit, and must be able to compete at the standard required.
You can find the address of your NF on the FEI web pages – www.horsesport.org.
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