Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet du Rouet makes World Cup
Historyfor complete results please visit www.worldcup2000lasvegas.com
Last Sunday, the Brazilian
World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa, becomes the first rider to win three consecutive World Cup
titles, moreover with the same horse, the 11-year-old selle français stallion Gandini
Baloubet du Rouet. Pessoa had won the 1998 Final in Helsinki and last year's Final in
Göteborg.
The Number One of the FEI/BCM worldwide Rankings finished the three
World Cup competitions without knocking down any fence.
The European silver medallist
Markus Fuchs (SUI) on Tinka's Boy finished second with 7.5 points followed by his countryman
Beat Mändli/Pozitano with 10.
FEI/BCM WORLDWIDE RANKINGS
Thanks to
this second place in Las Vegas, Markus Fuchs goes up from the 11th to 8th place of the FEI/BCM
Worldwide rankings. Rodrigo Pessoa keeps the first spot, followed by Ludger Beerbaum (GER) and
Willi Melliger (SUI).
The best lady rider is Alison Firestone (USA) at the 23rd rank
(compared to 28th last month) ahead of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) who lost 10 places and
is now 27th.
The jump of the month is Todd Minikus (USA)
The Rookie of the year
is Luc Steeghs (NED)
Complete rankings on www.bcm.nl
INTERNATIONAL EVENTING SAFETY COMMITTEE RELEASED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS
The International
Eventing Safety Committee, chaired by Marquess of Hartington (CBE), released today its
recommendations to the FEI. The Committee was formed jointly by the BHTA (British Horse Trial
Association) and the FEI further to the tragic fatalities, which occurred in 1999 in
Eventing.
The complete report is available on the FEI website www.horsesport.org,
section Reference-Working docs.
The FEI, especially the Executive Board and the
Eventing Committee would like to commend and thank the Safety Committee for its in-depth
investigations. The FEI also extends its gratitude for its extensive work and the contribution
of each of its members - and will endeavour to follow-up on the recommendations. The sport will
be under constant monitoring for the next years and further decisions on changes will occur as
part of an ongoing process.
A fundamental conclusion, which pervades every detailed
recommendation, is that everything should be done to prevent horses from falling. This single
objective should greatly reduce the chances of riders being seriously injured as well as
significantly improve the safety of competing horses.
Statistics
The committee recommends that the FEI set-up and run a worldwide statistical database covering injuries for
riders and horses, as well as including the relevant details of the cross-country phase.
Statistics should be reviewed and published annually.
Riders, training and
qualifications
The Committee recommends a mandatory passport system for riders.
Qualification system of horses and riders should ensure that the combination has sufficient
experience to take part in the competition. Specific cross-country riding education should be
promoted among National Federations.
Officials
The Committee recommends the development of disciplinary procedures. Formal appraisal system for Official and Ground Juries
should be established on an international basis.
Medical
The Committee recommends
that medical coverage be ensured at any event with appropriate on-site management of severe
trauma. Safety routes for emergency vehicles should be further highlighted. Chief Medial
Officer should undertake random dope testing of riders at any event. Educational programme
for riders including fitness, diet, recovery from injury, drugs and alcohol, care of safety
equipment should be developed.
Equipment
The Committee recommends that a comprehensive study of helmets be undertaken, a standard established and made mandatory for
Eventing competitions. Particular attention should be paid on improving neck
protection for riders. The FEI should produce and recognise an International Standard for
Body Protectors.
Veterinary
The Committee believes that Homeopathic and herbal calming substances for horses are contrary to the spirit of the rules and can have serious
safety implications.
Cross Country
The Committee recommends that the technical
aspect of the courses be reviewed. They recommend that limiting the "intensity of
efforts" be a function of all officials involved in the inspection of the courses.
The investigation of a method to measure the intensity should be undertaken by the FEI.
Urgent research into construction of deformable structures should be undertaken
(this recommendations was already issued at the end of March). Officials at the event
should considerably focus more on the ground conditions.
The Committee recommends that a new additional 10 minutes stop between the 1st and 3rd kilometer markers on Phase
C be introduced immediately. Phase C should be reduced to a maximum of 8.8 kilometers.
Further to public announcement that a human fatality has occurred, the fence involved should
be removed from the competition.
Closed Circuit TV should be mandatory at all 4
stars and recommended at 3 stars events.
Document on the Do's and Don't's for Course
Design should be developed and reviewed annually.
Media Release Contact: Jennifer Ward
Media Relations Coordinator
For Immediate Release Tel: (613) 248-3433 ext. 133
e-mail: Jennifer Ward
