COVID-19 and Program Update from EA High Performance – 20th April, 2020

We hope you have all been keeping safe, well and healthy.  

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve we are once again reminded of how resilient our high performance equestrian community is, as preparations and refocused training continues albeit in altered circumstances. Our riders inform us they are utilising this time of social distancing to continue with their Tokyo preparations, work with their upcoming string of horses and to spend quality time with family at home.

While the current situation leaves many questions unanswered we are doing our best to remain proactive and informed in this ever-changing climate. We continue to work closely with our key stakeholders including the FEI, the AOC, Paralympics Australia and the AIS to ensure our program remains robust in its integrity yet flexible in its practicality in order to adapt to the environment we all find ourselves in. 

We have continued to diligently communicate with our riders, staff, stakeholders and the wider equestrian community as further information comes to hand surrounding COVID-19 and its effect on equestrian sport worldwide. We are working closely with the FEI, AIS and AOC regarding the reviewed Tokyo dates and the effect this will have on the FEI Calendar in 2021, the qualification of athletes, and the obtaining of Minimum Eligibility Requirements.  

We wish to thank the riders that joined us this past week for the High Performance (HP) Eventing NEXT Gen Squad videoconference. The videoconference included an update from HP staff, a Q&A opportunity, information on athlete health and wellbeing and group discussion surrounding the various ways each individual is continuing to train whilst also minimising the risk of spread and exposure to COVID-19.

Athletes from Australia, Europe and America made the effort to come together online, despite the various time differences, to engage in the session which was the first of a monthly program that will offer a variety of support and resources to our athletes. The videoconference initiative stimulated constructive discussion and produced positive outcomes that will be carried on into future sessions. 

The FEI announced this week that they have implemented changes to the Longines FEI Nations Cup 2020 rules.  The changes state that a total of 22 nations will be invited to compete at the Longines Final in Barcelona this year. Furthermore, the event held in February this year in Wellington (USA) will no longer be considered as a qualifier, of which Australia had a team competing. It was also announced that any further Nations Cups run this year would have no qualifying points awarded for the Final. The 22 teams that will be invited to the Final will consist of 10 from Europe, three from North America, two from South America, two from the Middle East, two from Asia/Australasia, one apiece from Africa and Eurasia, plus the host nation Spain.

In addition the FEI Dressage Calendar Task Force also met last week to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the Dressage calendar and propose ways of mitigating the effects. The main topics discussed included the deadline for National Federations to submit proposed alternative dates for events looking to reschedule in 2020, rules relating to date clashes, date change applications, the prioritisation of CDIOs, Dressage Championships in 2020/2021, FEI Dressage Nations Cup series, FEI Dressage World Cup Final 2021 and further initiatives to assist organising committees. The resolutions have been passed to the FEI Board for approval and we expect to be able to update you further this week.

The FEI have also confirmed that further Calendar Task Forces for Eventing, Para-Dressage, Vaulting, Reining, Driving and Endurance have been established and will be meeting before the end of April to address pressing issues that effect each discipline. We will update you as soon as information pertaining to the outcome of these meetings comes to hand.

The EA High Performance Panel and the Chairs of the National Selection Panels will continue to meet regularly to discuss the impact of the current circumstances on our Tokyo preparation, planning and nomination policies. As there are so many variables still at this stage, we will continue to work hard in adapting these plans and policies and to remain available to our stakeholders during this time.

The health and safety of our people and horses remain our priority as we work together as a community in order to navigate through these tough times. 

We thank you all for your understanding and continued support and please feel free to contact the High Performance team directly if you have any questions or queries.