DUBAI, March 31st, 2010: The FEI Geographical Group VII met earlier this week at the Atlantis Hotel The Palm in Dubai (UAE) in the presence of FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The meeting was chaired by the FEI Regional Group VII Chairman, H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and was attended by 15 nations.
The meeting began with an opening statement from the FEI Regional Group VII Chairman who welcomed all Group VII representatives and thanked HRH Princess Haya for attending the 8th Regional Group VII meeting in Dubai. Princess Haya then gave a welcome speech, praising Group VII for their efforts in coordinating and supporting riders/horses and equestrian sport.The first item on the agenda which generated much discussion was the co-operation between the different nations (that make up Group VII) for their continued development of equestrian sport in the region. Experience and ideas were shared so as to generate discussion and produce winning formulas.
Other important points of discussion included the agenda of a previous meeting held on January 10, 2010 in Dubai, matters concerning the qualified Arab League riders to the FEI World Cup Final for the existing and coming season, establishment and approval of dividing the Arab League into geographical sub-leagues and an annual report submitted by the Technical Advisory Committee with recommendations regarding the Arab league new format, the Top League and Promotional League Nations Cup Series in Jumping, the ranking of the Arab riders, summer competitions and the introduction of new competitions to serve different age groups. Additionally, Dr. Tom Morton, Consultant, Emirates Horse Racing Authority in the UAE, gave a presentation about the need/conditions for equine flu vaccinations prior to horse export and the benefits of the multi-movement certificate for horses. Other recommendations included more concentration on childrens, juniors and young riders categories and the possibility of holding a Nations Cup for juniors in the region. Furthermore, a suggestion was made to design a refresher course on equine veterinary rules and guidelines aimed to educate the riders. The course, if set in place, would provide guidance to the riders in tackling simple and complex problems on equine health prior to national or international competitions. On a final note, one of the most important resolutions taken at the meeting was to establish a channel of communication between the Governments (Ministries of Agriculture) of all Group VII Nations to take a positive step to resolve transportation issues of horses, equipment, etc. during events. It was decided to form a Veterinary Commission (Panel) which would then draft a proposal to address cross-border transportation, equine veterinary issues, import-export procedures. This proposal would then be dispatched to the League of Arab States in Cairo and formally sent to the respective Ministries of Agriculture in Arab Nations.Towards the end of the meeting, H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, on behalf of all of the Group VII member federations, formally requested that HRH Princess Haya continue with a second term as President of the FEI and continue Her work in modernizing and developing equestrian sport internationally.
HRH Princess Haya thanked H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa for his kind words and thanked the attending FEI Group VII Members for their continued trust and support. HRH Princess Haya further re-affirmed to uphold the personal commitment and dedication towards the development, modernization and advancement of the sport worldwide.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2010.
