Archives – Equestrian Association of Malaysia

BUREAU APPROVE RULE CHANGES

Please be informed following the detailed recommendations given by the ESPG and the proposals tabled at the FEI 2014 Sports Forum linked to the Welfare of Horses competing in FEI Endurance, changes to the Endurance Rules have been made. In accordance with Article 20.3 of the FEI Statutes the changes to the rules as approved by the Bureau and attached is the ‘Bureau Approve Rule Changes‘ for your kind attention and this rules will be implemented on the 1st August 2014.

Attachment: 2014_BM_ENDURANCE Rule Changes

PLEASE TAKE NOTE – FEI ENDURANCE RULES ART 816 (QUALIFICATION PROCEDURE & CERTIFICATES OF CAPABILITY)

NON AFFILIATED MEMBERS

FEI CLARIFIED PROCEDURES IN ANTI-DOPING CASES

FEI clarifies procedures in anti-doping cases

In response to recent discussions in the equestrian community about the length of time that FEI anti-doping cases may take to prosecute, the FEI is keen to clarify its procedures.

“It is the FEI’s role to ensure the full integrity of competition and fair play, while at the same time ensuring that the rights of the athlete are fully protected,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said.

“As an international governing body, the FEI cannot allow that athletes would ever be condemned or sanctioned without having the proper opportunities to defend themselves. It is of course regrettable, on every level, whenever there is a positive finding, but the FEI has to follow due process in the interest of all parties involved.”

Following the confirmation of a positive sample, it is the FEI’s duty to prove to the Tribunal that there has been a violation of the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMR). A positive finding is simply the start of the process.

In the event of a provisional suspension being imposed following a positive finding, the Person Responsible (PR) can apply at any time for a preliminary hearing to request lifting of the provisional suspension.

The PR has the right to contest the positive finding, including challenging the sample collection and analysis procedures to the Tribunal. The PR also has the right to provide an explanation for the presence of the prohibited substance in order to reduce or eliminate the applicable sanction.

The finding whether there has been a rule violation can only be made once the case has been heard by the Tribunal. It is only when the Tribunal confirms in its Final Decision that there is a rule violation that the automatic disqualification from the competition can be applied. Other sanctions may also be imposed by the Tribunal.

The FEI is a signatory to the WADA Code and has to respect the WADA principles, which include the right to a fair hearing. All parties involved have to be given time to prepare their submissions in order to properly defend themselves. Signatories to the WADA Code apply the same principles, and sports involving animals have to be consistent with the WADA Code.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL OUR ATHLETE THAT REGISTER WITH US.

In December of last year, we wrote to National Federations informing them that Athlete Representatives for each Discipline on the FEI Technical Committees in 2014 will be elected directly by FEI Athletes. NFs were also informed that FEI registered Athletes aged 18 years and over who are included on their respective Ranking List will be able to vote via a secured online electronic voting platform. May we ask your National Federation to remind your athletes that meet the below criteria (highlighted in yellow) to submit their complete applications (Curriculum Vitae form and signed Rules of conduct) to the FEI athlete2014@fei.org no later than 31 March 2014 23:59 CET. Athletes who wish to become the FEI Athlete Representatives of their discipline must:

· be at least 18 years of age at the time of the vote;
· have either competed in one of the last two senior FEI World Championships or Olympic Games in the Discipline for which you are seeking election;
· have a clean anti-doping record with respect to both the Equine Anti-Doping & Control Medication Rules (EADCMRs) and the Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHAs) as of April 2010.

The established timeline for the elections is as follows:

· 31 March 2014 (23:59 CET): Deadline to receive completed Curriculum Vitae form and Rules of Conduct – Campaign for Election
· 10 April 2014: Announcement of candidates received
· 15 April-1 June 2014: Online electronic elections (1^st ballot)
· 16 June-16 July 2014: Online electronic elections (if applicable, 2^nd & final ballot)
· 17 July 2014: Announcement of the result of the elections