PrintDear Rita,
The Global Dressage Forum is an event I have always wanted to attend. Usually I am competing at the Lyon CDI-W in France on the same weekend, but this year due to my delayed return to Germany with Winyamaro, I couldn’t compete in France. So off I went to Hooge Mierde, the Netherlands, and the stable complex of the Bartels family for two days of stimulating debate and discussion. I loved it!
My first interest in going to the GDF was to attend the General Assembly meetings of both the International Dressage Riders Club and the International Dressage Trainers Club. Some very important issues concerning our sport were on the table for discussion at both meetings and as a member of both organizations, I wanted to take part.
I knew already that disagreement between the two clubs on one issue in particular—the so-called “Blood Rule”—was fueling a public debate. I had had a phone call from key players in the IDTC before leaving the USA in October requesting information and feedback. Some research and a few conversations with a few folks in the know brought me up to snuff on the facts before the meetings at the GDF. I wanted to be helpful to both clubs if I could.
The meeting of the IDRC took place first on the Sunday, Oct. 30. It was great to see so many of my colleagues there, especially because I felt out of the loop after spending three months at home in the USA.
In the IDRC meeting, three key issues were brought up, debated and voted upon.
Firstly, we discussed some important points about judging and scoring, which I will bring up in my next blog. What is important to mention here is this: Our judging system—the varied aspects of how it’s used at shows, its failings and strong points, suggestions for improvement—is openly discussed at nearly every IDRC meeting. Riders at every level of this sport want to see change and are not afraid to talk about it.
What makes me proud, Rita, are the riders at the very top of the sport (yes, those who are doing the winning and actually benefiting from the current system), who are courageous enough and care enough about our sport to speak out about changes they would like to see with the judging.
Secondly, we discussed the pending vote at the FEI General Assembly on the “Blood Rule” as proposed by the IDTC. Which is now a moot point as the FEI Dressage Committee has withdrawn this rule from the vote in order to consider some more thoughtful alternatives. Interesting move by the FEI DC. For the sake of the sport, I hope that no blood is drawn at the Olympic Games next year because…we have no rule about how that should be handled. Crikey, Rita.
Thirdly, we discussed and voted on a motion that will effect the representation of all dressage riders in the FEI Dressage Committee. Margit Otto-Crepin, the previous Rider’s Representative, has left the committee, and her position must now be filled. The IDRC nominated our Secretary General, Wayne Channon, to represent us in the FEI DC. The Spanish Federation nominated a rider from Spain (which was a recommendation for the FEI's own Nomination's Committee), and the Colombian Federation nominated a rider from Colombia.
