Fédération Equestre Internationale: FEI’s inaugural Para-Equestrian Forum celebrates para-sport future

Source: News Release/Rob Howell

FEI’s inaugural Para-Equestrian Forum celebrates para-sport future

Paralympic athletes and experts from 22 countries were welcomed to the FEI’s first Para-Equestrian Forum last weekend in Essen, Germany.

The exciting two-day event gave delegates the opportunity to engage in the future direction of Para-Equestrian Dressage, which will celebrate its twentieth Paralympic Games anniversary at Rio 2016, and discuss the wider backdrop of Para-Equestrian sport.

Paralympic future

Meeting the challenges of developing Para-Equestrian sport in Asia, South America and the Far East, and opening up the sport to young athletes across these regions and globally, were key topics at the Para-Equestrian Forum.

The International Paralympic Committee’s Director of Media & Communications Craig Spence also tackled the future of Para-Equestrian Dressage within the Paralympic Movement, giving delegates useful tips on raising the profile of the sport, working with volunteers, using social media and putting the spotlight on athletes.

Sports-specific discussions ranged from increasing the number of international judges, Para-Equestrian Dressage team drop scores, latest classification news and compensating aids. Delegates also enjoyed a display of the up-and-coming sport of Para-Equestrian Reining.

Standing ovation

Austria’s European champion and London 2012 gold and bronze medallist Pepo Puch made a lasting impression at the FEI Para-Equestrian Forum when he took to the stand to explain his journey to success, which he credited to a combination of strong will and support from family and friends. He received a rapturous standing ovation with many delegates wiping tears from their eyes.

360-degree views

Trond Asmyr, FEI Director, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, said: “The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para-Equestrian Dressage joined its ranks in 2006.

“We have come a very long way since, and this Forum, which has welcomed almost 100 athletes and experts, produced extremely lively and helpful debates as we focus our efforts on further growing Para-Equestrian sport worldwide. Everyone was immersed in the discussions - our athletes, officials, event organisers and our National Federations - giving us a valuable 360-degree view.

“Our Technical Committee went straight into session to tackle key areas raised during the Forum, which will now become an essential bi-annual event.”

Real deal

Several high profile athletes attended the Para-Equestrian Forum, including Great Britain’s Lee Pearson who has won a record ten Paralympic gold medals. “The Forum was created with a genuine desire to listen and for two-way discussion,” he said. “Everyone is passionate about our sport. We all want the best for it, and want it to be people and public-friendly, and fair. I enjoyed the Forum, because it was real. The fact that the Forum will be bi-annual also puts a little pressure on to look back on what we asked for.”

Great Britain’s Lee Pearson (left), Austria's Pepo Puch and Ricky Balshaw (GBR) (right) at the first FEI Para-Equestrian Forum (Amanda Berens/FEI)

Germany’s Dr Angelika Trabert, anaesthetist by day and Atlanta 1996 double silver and London 2012 gold and bronze medallist, explained: “It is very important to listen to athletes and our opinions on where we want to take our sport. The Forum was well organised and I enjoyed that we had trainers, organisers as well as fellow athletes from around the world. We had a lot of input from different perspectives and it was vital for everybody to have their say.”

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