Leading experts to debate equestrian sport’s key topics at FEI Sports Forum 2017

World experts on the Olympic sports of Jumping and Eventing and the non-Olympic discipline of Endurance will address the FEI Sports Forum 2017 when it takes place at the International Management Development Institute (IMD) in Lausanne (SUI) from 10-11 April. The programme for the annual event, which is acknowledged as the key opportunity for the equestrian world to gather and debate current topics in the sport prior to the annual General Assembly, is published today and registration is now open.

The Sports Forum will be opened by FEI President Ingmar De Vos, followed by a keynote address from IMD. The first day of the two-day programme will focus on Jumping, with an in-depth look at the future of the FEI’s flagship team series, the FEI Nations Cup™. Other highlights on the first day will be a presentation on the FEI’s online invitation system, discussion on CSI/CSIO requirements. Dress code and youth development in the sport will also be discussed, with a presentation on youth sport from Belgium’s four-time Olympian, Ludo Philippaerts and Peter Bollen, member of the FEI Jumping Committee.

The second day opens with a morning session on FEI Officials, including an update from the Dressage Judging Working Group. The two afternoon sessions are devoted to Eventing and Endurance.

Sydney 2000 Olympic champion David O’Connor (USA), Chair of the FEI Eventing Risk Management Steering Group, and Giuseppe Della Chiesa (ITA), chair of the FEI Eventing Committee, lead the first afternoon session dedicated to risk management. Beginning with a presentation of the Eventing risk management policy and programme implemented by the FEI to date, this will then be followed by a discussion on new proposals and next steps.

Endurance then takes centre stage for the final session of the Sports Forum 2017. Dr Tim Parkin, an expert in veterinary epidemiology, will present the initial findings of the two-year Global Endurance Injuries Study that he has conducted at Glasgow University with fellow specialist Dr Euan Bennet, and there will also be a presentation on bone fatigue and preventing bone injury by Professor Chris Whitton from the University of Melbourne, one of the world’s leading authorities on skeletal injuries.

The FEI Sports Forum 2017 will also be streaming all our sessions live on inside.fei.org and the FEI YouTube channel, providing viewers the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the panels and experts.

“The annual FEI Sports Forum is the opportunity for everyone involved in equestrian sport to have their say on some of the most important current topics, and a key part of our governance structure”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez says.

“In an ever-changing landscape we all work hard to keep our sport fresh, relevant and with the highest standards of horse welfare at its core, and this year’s agenda and guest speakers will delve into some very important current issues. The FEI prides itself on being open and transparent and this intensive two-day programme will provide a platform for everyone to have their say, whether they are on-site delegates or online viewers.”

The full programme for this year’s event is:

Day One:

Focus on Jumping

• Future of FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping

• Online invitation system

• CSI/CSIO requirements

• Dress code

• Youth development

Day Two:

• FEI Officials, including update on the Dressage Judging Working Group

• Eventing Risk Management

• Endurance risk factors and bone injury

All information regarding the timetable, sessions, accommodation and registration is available at inside.fei.org on the dedicated FEI Sports Forum platform.

Additional supporting documents relating to the various sessions will also be posted on 13 March 2017.

Registration closes on 20 March.