Hong Kong is getting ready for the Games
Dear EFA Members, I am sure you are getting sick of hearing how busy we have been, so I won't say it again in this particular issue. All of our hard-working National Office staff are, however, looking forward to a break at Easter. Hong Kong building up for the Big EventOur newly-appointed High Performance Manager Brett Mace and I have just returned from Hong Kong and a series of meeting and site inspections there. We were following the trail of many other Federations who had visitied the city since the announcement that the Equestrian competitions of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games would be held there. The visit is the first base for more detailed planning that will follow, especially after the World Equestrian Games. Having seen the sites and facilities makes planning so much easier as one can picture in one's mind how things are going to work. The other major advantage is putting faces to names and establishing a good relationship with the the people involved. Two Australians from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, John Ridley (Manager of Racing Operations and Equestrian) and Stuart Mitchell (Equestrian Operations Manager at Beas River, and hailing from Lochinvar) are key people in the provision of the Olympic venues. Both were extremely generous with their time and filled us in on what is planned. Sha Tin Racecourse will be the main venue while the cross-country competition will take place at Beas River on Jockey Club grounds and the adjoining picturesque golf course of the Country Club. We also met with the recently-appointed head of the newly-established Equestrian Company, Mr. W.K.Lam, and the Secretary of the Hong Kong Equestrian Committee, Mr. Thomas Tso. The Equestrian Company will be the executive agency planning and running the Equestrian competitions and all that goes with it. They are obviously facing a steep learning curve, with a number of key appointments still to come. It also appears that the relationship with the great number of 'functional areas' within BOCOG in Beijing has not been thoroughly defined as yet. We are hoping, of course, that because of the enormous distance between Beijing and Hong Kong, the Equestrian Company will have greater freedom of action than would be the case if the competitions were held in Beijing. For example, teams in Hong Kong will not have the back-up of their National Olympic Committees, which usually set up headquarters with secretarial, legal and other support for their whole delegation. To provide the same service in Hong Kong clearly requires additional people and additional accreditation that would not fit into the normal allocations. Previous visitors from large National Federations have also raised concerns about the planned accommodation arrangements. In Beijing, there will, of course, be a 'village' with all kinds of team facilities. The question is whether the proposed hotel accommodation in Hong Kong will include such facilities. It is clear that the 'Olympic atmosphere' that will exist in Beijing, will be hard to re-create in Hong Kong, not only for the athletes (riders) but also for the supporters and spectators who will not be able to visit Beijing as well. WEGFor inside news about the EFA's lead-up to WEG, check out the monthly newsletter. As each edition is published, they will be available at Carriage DrivingWe are now calling for nominations to fill three National Selector Positions. You can find position descriptions, nomination forms and resume templates on our web at The EFA > National Committees. The development of EFA Carriage Driving courses is making progress. We will distribute draft Introductory, Level 1 and Level 2 Carriage Driving Coach course candidate resources to the EFA National Carriage Driving Committee in April for comment. EventingOur Selectors have just announced the 2006 EFA National Young Eventing Rider Squad. For details please go to Sports > High Performance >Squads. DressageThe Dressage Festival and CDI-W (Werribee 7-9 April) and Sydney CDI*** (SIEC 4-6 May) are the final WEG qualifying shows for our Australia-based dressage riders. Go and support your favourite riders at these premier events. JumpingThis weekend sees the Australian Show Jumping Championships in Sale, Victoria. The Championships include a Certificate of Capability class that can qualify competitors to participate at the World Equestrian Games. Olympic Course Designer and Technical Delegate Olaf Petersen is the FEI Assessing Delegate. Olaf also conducted a Course Building Seminar at Werribee this week. Please note that there are also a couple of rule changes on the way. We are just waiting on the final wording but one concerning riders and owners is a provision of optional grading points after double-clears in a D-grade competition (hope I got this right). Show HorseNew rules and state qualifier dates are about to be published for the new EFA Showman of the Year competition. Young riders can qualify for the National Final and the chance to represent Australia at the International Final in South Africa this November. Keep an eye out on the Show Horse page of the EFA National web site. General RegulationsSuggestions and recommendations have been coming in by the ton (not) since we distributed the very first draft of the proposed EFA General Regulations. You can find a copy of this draft on our web at Rules & Regs > General and Vet Regs. The Regulations are planned to come into force in January 2007, but a lot of work still needs to be done. Please send your comments and suggestions to Siobhan Lapthorne who will be managing this project. Animal WelfareThe EFA is participating in the Australian Government's Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). The vision of the AAWS is: “The welfare of all animals in Australia is promoted and protected by the development and adoption of sound animal welfare standards and practices” FEI General AssemblyThis important event will take place in Kuala Lumpur at the end of the month. Presidents and Secretaries General usually atteng these gathering that include a number of meeting, by FEI Group or with FEI Staff, workshops and planning sessions. A number of rule changes and a new medication control system will have their final vote and, of course, a new FEI President will be elected. HRH Princess Benedicte of Denmark, HRH Princess Haya of Jordan (and now married in Dubai) and current FEI Senior Vice President Freddy Serpieri are standing for elections. Lobbying has been intense, with colour brochures, web sites and even a phone call from Princess Haya. On this occasion, the Assemble is held in conjuction with the Final of the FEI World Cup Jumping, adding further pressure to an already busy schedule. I will try to cope with this (☺). Unfortunately, there will now not be any AUS riding entries so we will be cheering Michelle Barrera on, who is competing under the Philippines flag. The winner of the Australian League Tim Amitrano will attend in person, however. Supporters and SponsorsI cannot close without thanking our funding agencies, sponsors and supporters. Make it a good day! And have a happy Easter! Franz Venhaus
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