Dressage-News

April 22, 2014

For the first time in the 93-year history of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) riders are voting for their representatives on the organization’s technical committees, including two candidates for dressage–Anna Paprocka-Campanella of Italy and Laura Tomlinson of Great Britain.

Anna and Laura both replied to questions from dressage-news.com as to their reasons for seeking election to the FEI Dressage Committee and a FEI Athletes’ Committee.

Their answers will be posted on dressage-news.com–Wednesday, April 23 for Anna and Thursday, April 24 for Laura (a coin toss decided the order).

Both athletes answered identical questions from dressage-news.com that is presenting their views in the question and answer format as a service to the dressage community.

Election is via a secure online voting platform and voting is open until 2359 Central European time (2159 GMT) June 1  (click here to read the candidates biographies and to vote).

A total of 26 candidates from 10 nations are standing for election in dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para-equestrian, reining and vaulting. The elected Athletes in each discipline will also form the FEI Athletes’ Committee when the Technical Committees require feedback and proactive input on issues relevant to all FEI athletes.

FEI registered athletes, aged 18 years and over and on their respective Ranking Lists from Dec. 31, 2013 are eligible to vote.

There were 680 combinations on the world dressage ranking list as of Dec. 31, 2013 but the total included numerous duplicates of riders with more than one horse and horses that have changed hands or no longer compete.

According to the rankings, the nations with the greatest numbers on the ranking list are:
1. Germany – 90
2. USA – 60
3. Netherlands – 50
4. Australia 46
5. France 41
6. Russia 39
7. Sweden 35
8. Spain 32
9. Denmark 27
10 Canada 25