EEF Board videoconference 08.06.2021

1.1 Review of Longines EEF Series (LES) qualifiers in Athens (GRE) & Peelbergen (NED)

Alcor has submitted a written summary of the qualifiers held in Athens and Peelbergen which is acknowledged by the Board. CM provides a summary of the feedback received from Longines. It is agreed that for the best evaluation at the end of the 2021 season all feedback shall be collected and discussed in September after the Final, in preparation for the 2022 season. Kick-off meetings ahead of the start of the 2022 season and a debriefing at the end of the 2021 season are considered to be essential for effective communication and planning. The debriefing will be done with EO, GD, Alcor and TP in an in-person meeting at the beginning of September. Also new event applications will be considered when appropriate. After the debriefing and evaluation, proposal(s) shall be made to the Board for approval.

1.2 Preview of upcoming qualifiers

Regretfully the qualifier in Drammen (NOR) had to be cancelled due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

1.3 Next steps regarding EEF Strategy development

An in-person meeting of the Board shall be set-up for July or August 2021 in order to provide further input to the Strategic Planning Working Group.

1.4 Update Equestrian Organizers GA

NS provides a summary of the online General Assembly held by the Equestrian Organizers. The EO wish to see stronger representation of organizers in the FEI discipline committees and intend to amend their statutes to act more as one representative organization rather than having different organizations, one for each FEI discipline.

1.5 Update EU Erasmus+ funding application

CM informs the Board that the EEF will submit an application for Erasmus+ funding to the EU for a Brotherhood project on “Equestrian Young Leaders in Europe”. The EEF is applying for a grant of EUR 400.000 and is supported by the NFs of NED, SWE, HUN, BUL, NOR.

2.1 Situation EEM

A further payment of EUR 10.000 has been made by EEM for the year 2019, however an amount of EUR 40.000 for the year 20219 is still due. It is agreed that no invoices shall be issued over the year 2021. GD is tasked to draft a letter to EEM which states that EEM is not meeting its contractual obligations and that the contract is thus no longer in force.

2.2 Expectations / preparations for EEF GA

The Board is very grateful that the AUT NF will host the in-person EEF GA in 2021. Depending on the development of the Covid situation, the EEF Board recommends to plan for a hybrid GA in order to also enable those delegates that are still impacted by travel restrictions to participate in the meeting.

2.3 Situation FEI Nations Cup Division 1

An EEF proposal on the FEI Nations Cup Division1 has been sent to the FEI. Feedback has been received from several NFs and will be taken into consideration when discussing the EEF proposal with the FEI. The EEF has been informed by the FEI that a new set-up / proposal for the 2023 Nations Cup season will be presented after the Olympic Games.

2.4 EU representation

QS states that no suitable candidate for EEF EU representation has been identified yet but a new position vacancy will be posted for 2021.

3.1 Board meeting schedule for in-person meetings 2021

It is decided that an in-person Board meeting shall be scheduled for July/August 2021 in order to discuss the EEF strategy and other Board related matters. The second annual in-person meeting shall be scheduled to take place just before the General Assembly in Vienna (AUT).

4.1 FEI Rules Revision 2021

QS states that the FEI rule revision process will be challenging this year because of the FEI timelines and the Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games. CM is tasked to coordinate consultation process with the EEF discipline working groups and the EEF Secretary Generals.