Dressage-News

Didier Ferrer, organizer of Biarritz and Vidauban CDIs in France, has been appointed manager of dressage and para-dressage at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The announcement was made Thursday by the WEG Organizing Committee in listing managers in charge of the eight competition disciplines at the FEI’s flagship event held once every four years.

Discipline managers are:

Jumping: Frédéric Morand, who is technical manager of the Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux;

Dressage and Para-Dressage: Didier Ferrer, organizer of CDI3* Biarritz and the various CDIs at Vidauban. He will be supported by a Para-Dressage specialist who will join the team shortly;

Eventing: Jean-Marc Varillon, technical director of the HSBC FEI Classics Les Etoiles de Pau;

Driving: Jean-Pierre Brisou, organizer of CAI Compiègne;

Endurance: Nicolas Wahlen, organizer of CEI1, 2 and 3* Compiègne;

Vaulting: Philippe Rossi, organizer of FEI European Open Vaulting Championships for Juniors and Seniors 2011 and the FEI World Vaulting Championships 2012 in Le Mans, and

Reining: Michèle Pfender, an international judge since 2002.

“The FEI is delighted with these strong additions to the organising team two and half years before the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said. “These well respected professionals have a lot of event organizing experience in their respective disciplines and we are looking forward to working closely with the Normandy team so that they can deliver an unforgettable event.”

“Above and beyond their proven technical skills, the discipline managers have been selected for their enthusiasm and ability to share their wealth of experience and to work as a team,” Fabien Grobon, Managing Director of the Organizing Committee said. “They are also supportive of the core values of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. All of these factors have been instrumental in the recruitment process, which was done in close cooperation with the French Equestrian Federation.”

The managers will work under the leadership of sports director Laurent Cellier, who will join the Normandy team next month at a two-day introduction seminar. The management team will also attend the London 2012 Olympic Games to examine the technical and logistical aspects of hosting a major equestrian event, as well as meeting the competing nations in Greenwich.

The technical programme for the 2014 WEG will be finalized in 2013.