Very unprofessional words from Princess Haya bint al Hussein

[freestyle2music]

FEI presidente Princess Haya bint al Hussein was recently very negative about the future of the Equestrian sport at the Olympics.

Very unprofessional said the president of the German Equestrian federation Hanfried Haring. Next to this the IOC has already stated in several press-releases that the Equstrian sport will stay on the Olympic Agenda for London, because the program was already decided in 2005. IOC press officer Emmanuelle Moreau told the press tha EQ-sport will stay on the agenda.

The strange thing is that princess Haya is also an important member of the IOC, and making statements like 'the Equestrian sport lacks popularity, safety problems around the eventing and so on and so on" sounds very strange.

[freestyle2music]

As posted before :

No plans to drop equestrian sport for 2012

IF Federation Equestre Internationale president Princess Haya was selling a horse at Ballinasloe Fair next month, I doubt she would get many buyers, based on her recent promotion of equestrian sport.

In an interview with Horse and Hound, the Jordanian warned that equestrian’s place as an Olympic sport in London 2012 was under threat, before spelling out its flaws.

She noted that: “The popularity of dressage is abnormally low and there are complaints about judging and the make up of judging panels and committees. Anyone who thinks equestrian sports are secure for London is mistaken.

“The IOC has very reasonable and legitimate concerns about eventing safety and the way the dressage committee is working.

“It could also be the end of show jumping as an Olympic sport, too, as they are unlikely to leave it on its own,” said Haya, a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Referring to eventing, she said: “The amazing standard of dressage on the first day was great for the sport. And we have roped in a whole new audience from outside. “But walking away and saying ‘thank God nobody died,’ isn’t good enough.”

However, yesterday International Olympic Committee (IOC) media relations manager Emmanuelle Moreau yesterday contradicted Haya’s assertion regarding the possibility of equestrian sport being dropped for London.

“The programme for 2012 is fixed and was decided in 2005. There will be 26 sports in London. There has been a vote and there are no plans for a change.

“There will be a full review after Beijing, a thorough analysis, which will commence in autumn. We are now looking at the competition schedule for 2016,” said Ms Moreau, who added that the Olympic commission would meet in November to assess each sport and that the composition of the 2016 Games would be decided in October 2009, when the host city is selected.

One thing, however, is certain, after Haya’s comments, IOC members will now have no doubt as to the merits of deleting equestrian sport.

[Gucci Cowgirl]

I have no problem with her or her comments. At least she calls it like she sees it.

IMHO everything she said was true, and it's not fair to us horse lovers, but there are MANY more important things going on in the world than weather or not it is financially and ethically appropriate to include equestrian sports in the olympics.

[fiona]

Pure genius.

[Trakehner]

A spoiled brat with lots of daddy's money is lecturing the horse world from a position she didn't earn...well, isn't that just special.

She was right about one thing: She noted that: “The popularity of dressage is abnormally low and there are complaints about judging and the make up of judging panels and committees."

Anky didn't stop...but that's OK and she wasn't marked down for it..."but her horse had such suspension, he was so forward" and other BS.

Olympics = terrible judgeing...now how is that a surprise. Recall the classic, "It's a 10, another 10 and a 2 from the communist judge"

[Daventry]

I have no problem with her or her comments. At least she calls it like she sees it.

IMHO everything she said was true, and it's not fair to us horse lovers, but there are MANY more important things going on in the world than weather or not it is financially and ethically appropriate to include equestrian sports in the Olympics.

I agree. I don't think what she said was unprofessional at all...just stating the obvious.

I can't see a sport like dressage being any less popular than something like skeet shooting but...the facilities and financial requirements needed to host skeet shooting would be far less than getting everything set up for a dressage competition. :yes:

[Foxtrot's]

It was the President of the German Federation who said the comments were unprofessional: Germany has a huge stake in the Olympics from all angles, including the industry of producing horses.

Princess Haya is a showjumper - perhaps her interests do not include eventing??!! Do you think they would axe them all, or keep the S/J portion which has the greatest appeal.

Whatever will be - something else will step up to take its place for the horse world, making us even more remote from the general public.

Personally, having them in HK made the Games remote from the ones going on in Beijing. Thin edge of the wedge.

[rileyt]

I have no problem with what she said.

1) Its the truth.
2) She's speaking to Horse & Hound -- and magazine for equestrians. I think her remarks were designed to tell horse people the reality that equestrian sport faces in future Olympics. It's costly, the judging has been problematic, and the bottom line is its a sport that relatively few people in the world follow and understand. Thus, if we want to keep it off the Olympic chopping block, we'd better take a hard look and see how we can address those problems.

There is no sense in sugar coating anything.

[canyonoak]

But Princess Haya is NOT just stating the obvious.

Horse sport is NOT in danger for 2012, despite the public bickering in England over the most suitable sites for the competitions.

And it seems to me, if we remove horses from the equation for a moment, saying that the CEO of a corporation makes a public statement disparaging the product, disparaging consumer interest, and basically sabotaging the product...that CEO is NOT stating the obvious. Or that theCEO is no longer interested in the company and product.

In this case, Princess Haya has already announced a few months ago that she plans to return to competition in time for the 2012 Olympics...leaving me to wonder what is really going on with her decision to do so. You cant return to what is not there...but perhaps this is a case of her personal situation--not being able to return to public competition.

My position remains that equestrian sport can only benefit by continuing to have a public showcase in the Olympics.

[philosoraptor]

I don't think it was unprofessional. It was just her observation/opinion.

[Kaeleer]

I actually think she's fairly spot-on and instead of seeing these comments as "unprofessional", perhaps we should see them as a heads-up to the various sporting disciplines that they may have work to do if they plan on competing in 2016.

[Alagirl]

Personally, having them in HK made the Games remote from the ones going on in Beijing. Thin edge of the wedge.

Well it was closer by then the 56 games....but then, in56 the average person actually knew more about horses than what they read in Black beauty.

(and aside from her wealth I think she has enough merrit on her own to bring to the table, it's not exactly any different than Princess Ann was, or is it?!)

So considering Riding is on the Bubble since Atlanta...maybe, just maybe we need to take heed and look at it a little closer?! And it was not some dunce from the IOC who has never seen a horse up close, but 'one of our own'

[Glimmerglass]

A spoiled brat with lots of daddy's money ...

Just for the record I do believe that while she is titled by virtue of being the daughter of Jordan's King Hussein I that doesn't exactly bring with it riches. (Not to be rude but that lineage and $2 will get you a ride on Chicago's EL)

Rather it is her role as Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ("Sheikh Mohammed") junior wife which bring her the power and mega fortune ;) And yes I said junior wife - Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum is Mo's senior wife and having conceived 14 children for him. Haya is number 2 to her.

So my point is that it isn't "daddy's money"

And what princess in 2008 would be without a webpage: the official Princess Haya page (http://www.princesshaya.net/). I'm sure she has a myspace page too.

She along with Sheikh Mo were at Keeneland (Lexington, KY) last week for the auctions.

[freestyle2music]

But Princess Haya is NOT just stating the obvious.

Horse sport is NOT in danger for 2012, despite the public bickering in England over the most suitable sites for the competitions.

And it seems to me, if we remove horses from the equation for a moment, saying that the CEO of a corporation makes a public statement disparaging the product, disparaging consumer interest, and basically sabotaging the product...that CEO is NOT stating the obvious. Or that theCEO is no longer interested in the company and product.

In this case, Princess Haya has already announced a few months ago that she plans to return to competition in time for the 2012 Olympics...leaving me to wonder what is really going on with her decision to do so. You cant return to what is not there...but perhaps this is a case of her personal situation--not being able to return to public competition.

My position remains that equestrian sport can only benefit by continuing to have a public showcase in the Olympics.

I believe this comment make the most sense. When the hotshots of the IOC make public statements (as posted by me already many months ago) that the Equestrian Sport isn't in danger, why should the president of the FEI tell the world otherwise. Maybeeeeeee she wanted to make the EQ-world understand that with 12 dopingcases during the last Olympics, from which 50% came from the EQ-sport, the EQ-sport is in danger. However the way she published her toughts and feelings was very unprofessional for somebody in her position, and incorrect.

[Mozart]

I actually think she's fairly spot-on and instead of seeing these comments as "unprofessional", perhaps we should see them as a heads-up to the various sporting disciplines that they may have work to do if they plan on competing in 2016.

Agreed, although I do think their heads are pretty much up already. At least Her Highness says what she thinks.

[CatOnLap]

other doping cases in other sports such as weightlifting and running in the past have NOT threatened the viability of the sport at the Games. Really really bad judgin in sports like figure skating and freestyle gymnastics has not threatened those sports. Why should these things threaten horse sport?

Well, the real reason is economic. The separate venues that must be built for equestrian events are bloody expensive, for a relatively few events, and the venues are not of benefit to the general public in the same way that say, a track and field venue, an olympic pool or a figure skating rink is, after the Games. The equestrian events this year were held in Hong Kong simply for economic reasons- the venue was already in existence and needed relatively little upgrading to host them.

Far from being a spoiled rich girl, the Princess is quite astute in economic matters and rightly warns us that the equestrian events are in jeopardy- perhaps not for 2012- that was a bit of a stretch, but certainly for any future games.

But I truly wouldn't care. However, I would like to see the same axe applied to all the other sports in which injury, doping and poor judging are a factor. We'd probably save a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$ if the Games were completely cancelled ( see the bulge in my cheek..?)

[InsideLeg2OutsideRein]

I'm sorry, but whether those comment are "true" or not doesn't really matter. It's her job to make a case FOR the equestrian sports and for that, you come with solutions, not doubts. Dressage unpopular? Thought it was the fastest growing equestrian disciplin in the US and vastly popluar in Europe? And since when should poularity be the measure anyway? This is not American Idol, this is the Olympic Games!

Does the judging issue need to be addressed? Absolutely. So does every other sport that's being JUDGED (hint: gymnastics). The so called "doping" sorted out? Absolutely. But it seems there is a measurement problem also. The safety of eventing? Absolutely. But it seems that the solution (non-solid jumps) is doable. That "addressing" needs to be done in a way that instills CONFIDENCE in the organizers of future olympic games. Not in a way that says "oh, please throw out my sport, we really don't deserve to be in there anyway".

[sisu27]

[edit]

I don't love what she said but it may be the harsh reality of the situation.

[mmt]

Since when is spectator volume the measure of whether a sport should be in the Olympics.

You cannot tell me that ping pong, martial arts, rowing/sailing, and some of the others "fringe sports" have more spectators.

The equestrian tradition as a sport and as part of the Olympics is much more meaningful than most of them now that are part of the Olympics.

I do think it is unprofessional of an FEI representative responsible partly for marketing to not support equestrian sports as part of the Olympics. To me, it is part of her job description in her official capacity to do so.

[War Admiral]

I guess it depends on whether you think the FEI president should be a PR Fluffernutter or a REAL President.

I lean towards the latter, so Princess Haya's remarks have my support.

[Alagirl]

Since when is spectator volume the measure of whether a sport should be in the Olympics.

You cannot tell me that ping pong, martial arts, rowing/sailing, and some of the others "fringe sports" have more spectators.

The equestrian tradition as a sport and as part of the Olympics is much more meaningful than most of them now that are part of the Olympics.

I do think it is unprofessional of an FEI representative responsible partly for marketing to not support equestrian sports as part of the Olympics. To me, it is part of her job description in her official capacity to do so.


Well, seems like parts of the Martial Arts, namely TaeKwonDo won't be Olympic anymore, given that it is the most widely practiced form of Martial Arts in the world (but yeah, the inner politics and make nice as to not rock the boat and a mind boggling number of Organizations, of which the majority is NOT represented in the Olympics)

I am not certein, but I do believe the sailing sports are also on the bubble perennially, just because of the logistic, which is the equestrian sports major handicap. You can make a nice lake to row on, a concrete white water for kayak, (BTW, once you buy the boat rowing is pretty cheap, a favorite to implement a school sport for girls when water is near.

There are many sports constantly on the bubble, don't kid yourself, and just because the US does not do the sport (or does it, or is growing in it) should not be the major bearing in the decision.

[JGHIRETIRE]

I think what she said has a lot of merit - there are problems with judgeing - yada yada -
As someone else said tho - gymnastics and figure skating have had the same problems and they aren't offering to throw them out.
I couldn't figure out why they had ping-pong in there either. Let's not forget the beach volleyball - I don't really care about seeing 2 women in skimpy bathing suits bat the ball around. (Guess that's a guy thing)
I do think that she could possibly come up with some solutions instead of just threatening that the whole thing is going to get thrown out.

[nero]

But Princess Haya is NOT just stating the obvious.

Horse sport is NOT in danger for 2012, despite the public bickering in England over the most suitable sites for the competitions.

And it seems to me, if we remove horses from the equation for a moment, saying that the CEO of a corporation makes a public statement disparaging the product, disparaging consumer interest, and basically sabotaging the product...that CEO is NOT stating the obvious. Or that theCEO is no longer interested in the company and product.

In this case, Princess Haya has already announced a few months ago that she plans to return to competition in time for the 2012 Olympics...leaving me to wonder what is really going on with her decision to do so. You cant return to what is not there...but perhaps this is a case of her personal situation--not being able to return to public competition.

My position remains that equestrian sport can only benefit by continuing to have a public showcase in the Olympics.

Couldn't agree more, and having a background in PR, I empathise with the media person who now has to come out for the FEI, diffuse these comments, and then spin something positive out of it! Sheesh, she needs a good media advisor!!

[Fixerupper]

Could be Pollyanna'ing here..but my take is that it was a very strong 'diplomatic' heads up to some of the people at the FEI (MW??) that horse sport has to 'pony up' (so to speak ;)) or it will be in real trouble in the future. Eventing has recognized their weak spot (death/near death) and while they are presenting some solutions to the problem...there is a ticking clock. Dressage and the rather controversial judging (GR??) in Hong Kong needs to be sorted out.. (probably Germany and Holland are the best...but you really shouldn't punch their ticket if they aren't on that particular train). Jumpers and doping..well, how many doors can you shut while they still think they have windows to open?
Glass half full??..

[Mardi]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;3518746]
Rather it is her role as Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ("Sheikh Mohammed") junior wife which bring her the power and mega fortune ;) And yes I said junior wife - Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum is Mo's senior wife and having conceived 14 children for him. Haya is number 2 to her.

QUOTE]

FOURTEEN children ? And she's still alive ? :)

[Fixerupper]

Didn't 'google it' so I can't be sure ( :lol: ) but that said concieved not bore..
Ok so 'Dubaians' don't believe in divorce...not a bad thing...
And trashing Princess Haya for speaking up just because she is the trophy wife is like saying Donald Trump's 2nd wife should be a wallflower...OK bad example.....

[DancingQueen]

#fixerupper

I totally agree! I did not hear this statement in it's original format but I knew Haya personally when I lived in Germany and I do not believe her to be a traitor to the sport in any way.

I don't aspire to come across as a best friend by all means but I hung out with her. Sometimes alone but mostly with others. The conversations were mostly mundane but on occation we would be talking about her life, her then experiences, her expectations and fears involved in the sport (and life in general).
She spent quite some time on the circuit in Europe and I believe that she is personally very much invested in the sport. I think she has made that statements she made very much with the best interest of the sport in mind.

I know that she has integrity and she is not afraid to go out on a limb and express it. Fex she has recently made somewhat controversy statements in regards to the efforts we put into fighting AIDS in Africa. In short she thought a step further and pointed to the shortsightedness and futility in providing expensive medication to victims who are not able to properly feed themselves or their families. She brought awareness to the black market for these drugs in africa and how they are fed by supplying drugs to HIV positive individuals who consider it a more important and immediate concern to feed their families and thus are easily bought.

Seeing and acting on the bigger picture is very important. More so in the third world of course, but also on the more frivolous subject of our sport and entertainment.

The way I chose to interpret her statement was not so much a "jump ship" as a warning to us all from an initiated, involved and concerned member of the sport who is deeply concerned with the future. IMO she looks to stir some shit in the hope of materializing the positive changes we have all on our different levels already sort of agreed need to take place.

[DancingQueen]

Couldn't agree more, and having a background in PR, I empathise with the media person who now has to come out for the FEI, diffuse these comments, and then spin something positive out of it! Sheesh, she needs a good media advisor!!

If you have a background in media I trust you agree that nothing is more deadly then silence.
I hope her media staff got busy, they should be happy to do so, they just justified their employments.

Somebody made a reference to Sarah Palin, think what you want about the personal (and political) issues, they are being dealt with (and spun positively) by the people hired to do so. In the end of the day nobody has wasted any ink on Obama since the announcement.

Agree or not, Haya does have a bit of an inside scoop, I don't think her statement came out of the blue but rather reflected the opinions of ohters.
She has done a great job in that we are now talking about it!
I think it's more up to the media personel of the FEI then to her own staff to create a positive spin and for the rest of the gang over there to consider the reasons it came up in conversation in the first place.

I think she is doing us all a favor by pointing out and bringing attention to the fact that we are not a given in the Olympics.
Maybe if we just pulled some covers over it we would be able to ignore the foul smell for a while, but it would just be a matter of time before it was evident to all and then it would then perhaps be irrevocable.
Now the door is wide open and it's up to the sport to do the clean up needed and we have a chance to step up and fight for our place in the Games if we find it worth while.

[DownYonder]

Kudos to Princess Haya for having the courage to state the facts.

Doping scandals, judging controversies, safety issues, and an elitist attitude have put our sport in trouble at the Olympic level. I think she was just pointing out that we better get our house in order before the IOC does it for us by kicking us out.

[LexInVA]

At least she's being realistic about the current state of things unlike the folks who run things here. The only thing I really see changing if equestrian sports go is that other competitions will become the most important (and rightfully so) events for the national federations and perhaps it will lead to a raising of the bar in this country.

[loshad]

Ok so 'Dubaians' don't believe in divorce...not a bad thing...

That would be Emiratis (the country is United Arab Emirates) and, IIRC, they can get divorced. If you can afford it, you may also have up to four wives.

[rileyt]

I do think it is unprofessional of an FEI representative responsible partly for marketing to not support equestrian sports as part of the Olympics. To me, it is part of her job description in her official capacity to do so.


Where did you get that she's not supporting equestrian sports as part of the Olympics? To the contrary, I think she's doing her level best to tell us that if WE want to keep equestrian sports in the Olympics, we face a serious uphill battle.

I think the bottom line in this discussion is LOOK AT THE INTENDED AUDIENCE. If she had made these remarks on behalf of the FEI, TO THE IOC, it would be a completely different story.

But instead, she's making these remarks, as President of FEI, to the members of the sport. And what she's saying (as a member of the IOC, and someone privy to the inner discussions of the IOC), is we'd better do some serious housework if we want to stay in the Olympics -- because we're on the chopping block. She's not talking about London. She's talking about the problems we will continue to fact in EVERY Olympic cycle until we address some issues in our sports.

I'm not so naive as to think that other people (e.g. IOC members) can't look up her remarks on-line and read them... but I think its her DUTY as FEI President to tell it like it is. How else is she supposed to spread the word to the masses about what problems (specifically) we need to address? Private mailings? She's using the equestrian magazine (Horse & Hound) to speak to EQUESTRIANS.

[freestyle2music]

She is a very spoiled kid, who never play it by the rules. The head of the FEI vets reseigned two weeks before the start of the Olympics because he didn't agree with the doping rules of the FEI at HongKong;), the guy who build the eventing course at Hongkong reseigned because Princess Haya herself altered the course ;) And now she tells the world that the EQ-sport is in danger for the next (London) Olympics, while the whole program was already settled in 2005, and the IOC stated in public that her royal highness is telling nonsens.

And how can she tell the world that these doping cases are a part of the problem ? These riders aren't convicted yet :cool:

[Mozart]

Assuming, of course, that the IOC official is being completely honest and forthright ;)

[rileyt]

And now she tells the world that the EQ-sport is in danger for the next (London) Olympics, while the whole program was already settled in 2005, and the IOC stated in public that her royal highness is telling nonsens.

:cool:


Where did she say this Theo?

[DownYonder]

I can see why the Germans and Dutch are particularly outraged at the possibility of horse sports being kicked out of the Olympics. They could always count on individual and team medals in those sports, but not so much in other sports. Their medal count will be affected big time.

[freestyle2music]

Where did she say this Theo?

Quote from the article of her Royal Highness in Horse and Hound


"Anyone who thinks equestrian sports are secure for London is mistaken. It could also be the end of show jumping as an Olympic sport, too."

[rileyt]

Quote from the article of her Royal Highness in Horse and Hound


I stand corrected.

[mmt]

I am sensitive to the fact that she may have been mis-quoted, and I hope that is the case. I also think that she is a positive example for the region (and I go there quite frequently) and the sport. I am very supportive of her appointment in general, despite my views on this quote and the fall-out.

The FEI has had long-standing problems with the issues that she has raised, and what has she been doing about those issues? I think her point about "cleaning up" our on house is a good one, but I stand behind my opinion that the way she said related to the Olympics it is not a graceful quote or a very constructive approach from the President of the FEI. She gains nothing by having even more in-fighting.

The Global Dressage Forum is going to talk about the Olympics judging already, okay -she should go to that.

This was the first year in the Olympics with the short cross country course. Of course there are some hiccups - so make the course better next time, and the riders will also know now how to be better prepare.

I think the doping rules are a bit out of control with labs not testing to the same level of sensitivity and what have you. That is a scientific issue that requires knowledgeable vets setting what drugs should not be allowed, then science laying out what levels and the half-life of drugs is okay, and then someone ensuring that all labs can test to the same level so that riders are always tested the same way across the world. It also requires that the labs and vets then in the Olympic country are educated by the FEI to the same standard. They also need to sort out the enforcement activities to make decisions that are logical and faster. It was a good idea this year have the testing upon arrival and they should keep doing that in addition to the other actions mentioned above.

My point is that all of these things happened under her watch. What I object to is that she is not taking personal responsibility for being part of the problem, or even worse, finding and laying out construction solutions. If she was so concerned about it, why wasn't there more effective work done before and why doesn't she herself as President of the FEI and on the IOC have solutions that she can start talking to the media about and building consensus support for?

There were a number of things that could have gone better in Hong Kong, and many of those were the bounds of FEI leadership and I do not think she gets a personal "free ride" and can criticize all except herself.

I hope her next reaction is to issue a press release stating the problem (which she basically already has) and then what she is doing as the President of the organization to find solutions such that we can keep equestrian sports in the Olympics well into the future, as well as address these points in all of our international competitions. That to me is what a President does.

[Janet]

This was the first year in the Olympics with the short cross country course. Of course there are some hiccups - so make the course better next time, and the riders will also know now how to be better prepare.
Athens 2004 used the "short" (without roads and tracks) cross country course.

[CrazyDog]

I believe the comment about 2012 refers to the fact that, while the sports inlcuded in 2012 have been decided, the individual disciplines and events within each sport have not. In other words, Equestrian is in but might not include Dressage.

Can someone confirm this? I can't remember where I read this, but it does make sense of Princess Haya's remarks regarding 2012.

[Moderator 1]

We've removed the political tangent to this conversation, so nobody's tempted to continue it. ;) Please save the political discussions for the next Off Topic Day and keep it on-topic and horse-related.

Thanks!
Mod 1

[freestyle2music]

I am sensitive to the fact that she may have been mis-quoted, and I hope that is the case. I also think that she is a positive example for the region (and I go there quite frequently) and the sport. I am very supportive of her appointment in general, despite my views on this quote and the fall-out.

The FEI has had long-standing problems with the issues that she has raised, and what has she been doing about those issues? I think her point about "cleaning up" our on house is a good one, but I stand behind my opinion that the way she said related to the Olympics it is not a graceful quote or a very constructive approach from the President of the FEI. She gains nothing by having even more in-fighting.

The Global Dressage Forum is going to talk about the Olympics judging already, okay -she should go to that.

This was the first year in the Olympics with the short cross country course. Of course there are some hiccups - so make the course better next time, and the riders will also know now how to be better prepare.

I think the doping rules are a bit out of control with labs not testing to the same level of sensitivity and what have you. That is a scientific issue that requires knowledgeable vets setting what drugs should not be allowed, then science laying out what levels and the half-life of drugs is okay, and then someone ensuring that all labs can test to the same level so that riders are always tested the same way across the world. It also requires that the labs and vets then in the Olympic country are educated by the FEI to the same standard. They also need to sort out the enforcement activities to make decisions that are logical and faster. It was a good idea this year have the testing upon arrival and they should keep doing that in addition to the other actions mentioned above.

My point is that all of these things happened under her watch. What I object to is that she is not taking personal responsibility for being part of the problem, or even worse, finding and laying out construction solutions. If she was so concerned about it, why wasn't there more effective work done before and why doesn't she herself as President of the FEI and on the IOC have solutions that she can start talking to the media about and building consensus support for?

There were a number of things that could have gone better in Hong Kong, and many of those were the bounds of FEI leadership and I do not think she gets a personal "free ride" and can criticize all except herself.

I hope her next reaction is to issue a press release stating the problem (which she basically already has) and then what she is doing as the President of the organization to find solutions such that we can keep equestrian sports in the Olympics well into the future, as well as address these points in all of our international competitions. That to me is what a President does.

These are very wise words ! Chapeau

She is an important member of the IOC and the President of the FEI, meaning she can use her influence to help the EQ-sport from fading from the Olympic agenda. During the last Olympic there was a interview on Dutch television with Jacques Rogge and his Royal Highness Prins Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and they both stated that the EQ-sport wasn't in danger for the next Olympics.

On the other hand I really hope that somewhere in the future we will get something like "The Equestrian Olympics" which holds much more EQ disciplines than we have now.

Theo