March 2000
WORLD CUP FINAL IN DRESSAGE
The 2000 World Cup Final will be held from 23 to 26 March in s'Hertogenbosch. Timetable and
information on tickets, press accreditation as well as on-line results service can be found
on website http://www.horseshow.nl
The qualified riders for the World Cup Final in 's-Hertogenbosch in 2000 are:
The actual title holder, Anky van Grunsven (NED)
The winning rider of the Central European League 1999/2000: Elena Sidneva (RUS)
The winning rider of the USA League 1999/2000: Cherri Reiber (USA)
The winning rider of the Canadian League 1999/2000: Gina Smith (CAN)
The winning rider of the Pacific League 1999/2000: Rozzie Ryan (AUS)
The winning rider of the Asian League 1999/2000: Mieko Yagi (JPN) (will not compete)
The winning rider of the South American Try Out League 1999/2000: Marietta Almasy (FRA)
Wild Card 1999/2000 allocated to: Ricky MacMillan (AUS)
The following riders of the Western European League 1999/2000:
Coby van Baalen (NED)
Isabell Werth (GER)
Jürgen Wirths (GER)
Arjen Teeuwissen (NED)
Hubertus Schmidt (GER)
Richard Davison (GBR)
Hans-Jürgen Nürgard (DEN)
Stephan Peter (AUT)
Host NF rider: Barbara Koot (NED)
WORLD CUP FINAL JUMPING: THE AIR CHARTER TO LAS VEGAS
A DC 8-63 F of the Irish Company Air Turas will carry the Western European horses
to the 22nd World Cup Final, which will take place from 19 to 23 April 2000 in Las
Vegas. On the aircraft will be the horses of the 18 qualified Western European riders,
of the defending champion Rodrigo Pessoa, and most likely also of the qualified riders
from the Central European League and from Japan. The departure is scheduled on 15 April
from Ostende (BEL), the return flight will leave Las Vegas on 24 April.
MEETING OF NEW FEI GEOGRAPHICAL GROUP IX
The FEI Assistant Secretary General Michael Stone attended the first formal meeting of
the newly formed FEI Group IX, which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 4th
and 5th March.
Representatives of the following Federations attended: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South
Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In total 17 representatives took part and the
meeting was chaired by the new Chairman of Group IX, Mr Ernst Holtz ( RSA ).
The main topic on the agenda was the development of the sport in the region, and especially
ways to help the newer National Federations.
Many constructive suggestions were made particularly in regard to the fees charged by the
FEI, and Michael Stone agreed that the FEI would review the current structure.
It was agreed to appoint a coordinator for the Group and Mr Jimmy Dewar, Secretary General
of the RSA NF, accepted responsibility for this important role.
AD HOC DRIVING "THINK TANK"
Following last years Driving Forum in Kecskemet, the creation of an ad hoc Driving
Committee was decided. The tasks given to this ad hoc Committee were to discuss, in
this 30th year of FEI Driving, all aspects of international driving, especially to
define the ideal driving event; attractive to spectators, to a TV audience and to
sponsors. This ideal product should be horse-friendly and technically feasible. In
this connection also the existing formula for a Diving World Cup should be evaluated.
The first meeting, a brainstorming session, was held last Sunday 12 March in Dortmund (GER).
A second meeting is scheduled for 10 July in Aachen (GER). After the Aachen meeting, a final
paper will be established, to be brought before the Driving Forum, which will be held in
Wolfsburg in August and the Driving Committee, also meeting in Wolfsburg (GER), in connection
with the Four-in-Hand World Championships.
The members of the ad hoc committee are Max E. Ammann, FEI Jumping World Cup Director, Ulf
Bergqvist of AB Volvo, Peter Hoffman, organiser of the 1997 European Jumping and 2000 World
Vaulting Championships, Hakan Leeman of the marketing agency Thue & Selvaag and Michael Freund,
1994 World Champion.
IN MEMORIAM
Col. John Hickmann (GBR), for many years a member of the FEI Veterinary Committee and its
deputy chairman from 1979 to 1983 recently died at the age of 86. Col Hickmann was the
founder president of the British Equine Veterinary Association and the founder editor of the
Equine Veterinary Journal.
Media Release Contact: Jennifer Ward
Media Relations Coordinator
For Immediate Release Tel: (613) 248-3433 ext. 133
e-mail: Jennifer Ward
