28 January 2018
FEI driving official couse in Ermelo a success
A group of over 70 driving officials from 13 different countries gathered at the National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo January 26th-28th for a successful training seminar for judges, course designers, stewards and technical delegates. Th course was organized by the KNHS under the initiative of Mendistrict 5 and was strongly supported by the German Equestrian Federation who sent a large number of participants.
Stewards
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
The course kicked off on Friday with the course designers, who were under the supervision of German level 4 course designer Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf. The judges, stewards and technical delegates joined the party on Saturday and received training from Joaquin Medina, Jan Devaere and Philip Bateman.
In order to get a better feel for options in the cones courses and indoor marathon obstacles, a number of test drivers were invited to drive for the course designers, providing some very practical information.
After a number of theoretical lessons the group of judges also had the opportunity to go outside to see the tests being driven by the test drivers and were able to critique and evaluate the tests as a group.
The stewards also made use of the test drivers for bit, harness and carriage and veterinary inspections. A number of new Dutch stewards became FEI certified at the close of the course.
The technical delegates discussed the many issues that come up at international competitions but also spent some time discussing the new methods for drawing starting orders at Nations Cups and Championships.
On Saturday morning, the chairman of the FEI Technical Committee Driving, Károly Fugli visited the course in Ermelo. The Hungarian joined in with different groups and at the end of the day was very impressed with both the course and its participants.
In order to stay within the FEI’s three year certification criteria, the organization is planning on holding this course again in 2021.
Judges
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
