|
European
Dressage News
Open Letter by Mariette Withages on Young Riders'
Issue
In Response to: Young
Riders' Dreams Shattered
 Dear
Eurodressage,
Before producing an article, I would like to recommend
that you obtain the correct information and not just
write an article based on what is largely gossip of
misinformation.
Also, it would be better to think twice before using
"Kafkaesque blunders" as it is not the description of
the actual situation. Could we just say that it is "slightly
overdone"? I also wonder why you have used the word
"malcommunication" (sic). It is clear that you have
been misinformed as to the procedure that was followed
in this matter.
I would like to advise you that the FEI Dressage Committee
took the decision about the new qualification rule for
juniors and young riders, during its November 2001 meeting.
This decision and the qualification requirements were
published in FEI Bulletin no. 10/2001. All National
Federations were again advised by a letter dated 2nd
May 2002 plus a second letter dated 20th May 2002. Furthermore,
the qualification requirements were included in the
schedule of the CH-EU-CH-YR-J 2002. In each of these
communications, it was clearly stated that the qualification
scores were required to be obtained before the date
for nominated entries.
It is also incorrect to say that the trainers only
became aware of the new rule in Aachen. As you mention
Mr Johann Hinnemann in your article, I would like to
inform you that being a member of the Dressage Sub-committee
as a trainer representative, Mr Hinnemann was well aware
of the qualification procedures. During the Sub-committee
meeting in Aachen on the 28th June 2002, Mr Hinneman
asked to review or postpone these qualification criteria.
I replied that it is not so simple to change or to undo
a rule especially when National Federations have arranged
their selection procedures in accordance with the rule.
Mr Hinneman is also aware of Article 122 of and Appendix
B to the General Regulations, which require that the
certificate of capability setting out these results
be returned to the FEI by the date corresponding to
the date for nominated entries (June 17th 2002). Mrs
Van Baalen was not present at that meeting.
In its meeting of Sunday 30th June, the FEI Dressage
Committee agreed that it was unable to make exceptions
to the rule or to alter the deadline. The reason for
this is that it would be most unfair to the other countries
that had complied with the requirements and ensured
that their riders qualified within the stipulated period.
Finally, I would like to request the right to answer
and hope that you will publish this letter on the eurodressage
website as soon as possible and certainly before the
organisation of the European Championships Junior -Young
Riders.
With regards
Mariette Withages-Dieltjens
Chairman FEI Dressage Committee
Related Link
Young
Riders' Dreams Shattered
|
