24 February 2020

FEI Course in Stow on the Wold a success

With what is now becoming somewhat of a pilgrimage: the Annual Clinic at Stow on the Wold got under way with participants from 8 countries including Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and the United States. Unlike some years the weather was more clement, although the outdoor area, which was unusable, was somewhat moist to say the least!

With a total of 51 Judges, FEI Stewards, Technical Delegates and the BC Course Designers present at the Clinic, this was a good representation.

Andrew Counsell (GBR) Leen Devaere (BEL) and Philip Bateman (GBR) were the Course Directors for the FEI and Johan Jacobs took the Course for the BC Course Designers. The FEI Course Designers was cancelled after the Course Director had health problems and was unable to attend at the last moment: therefore the FEI part was not held this year.

 

The Stewards got the Clinic started early on Thursday morning, with Leen on her first visit to Stow. With 6 attendees, mostly from this country, there was an early start and late finish.

The new FEI Education Format got under way with an on-line examination of 50 questions, posed by the Governing body in Switzerland. All FEI Officials and potentials, have to carry out the test along with an English test, which many found rather taxing.

Friday afternoon started with the Official FEI introduction, the FEI Rule changes and a joint session for all FEI participants to prepare for the start of the main Clinic.

Saturday, itself, began with a short welcome and update of British Carriagedriving Rules, then everyone divided to their respective classes. Andrew Counsell took the Judges through some theory first and then went to the indoor school for some practical work.

Dick Lane, generously brought his Four in Hand and Lucy McGill brought a Single Horse to help and guide the Judges through their paces, this included the new BC Novice Test, on show for the first time.

Johan Jacobs had 12 Course Designers for his highly interesting course and some Obstacle Cones Driving on Sunday, with all the Attendees.

Philip Bateman took the remaining 11 technical delegates through some intensive training with power point presentations and written tests to achieve their desired levels.

Sunday started as early as possible, with the Course Designers producing an Obstacle Cones Driving Course with some Deliberate Mistakes. The Technical Delegates corrected the Course and left if for the Judges to judge with Dick Lane making as many deliberate mistakes as possible, followed by Lucy. Then Final Tests and lunch to get everyone on the road straight after lunch, but not before the usual photograph on the Unicorn Steps.

On the lighter side, Unicorn host Sydney Smith was pleased to welcome the conference participants back again and Fran More, with her team of helpers, produced an elegant three-course dinner which was enjoyed by all 44 diners on Saturday evening. The social and networking aspect of the weekend is a key point, when new friends are made and working relationships are forged. Everyone there could make a contribution and join in discussions based on their own experiences.

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