FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2005

Sometimes we forget international matters also affect American Quarter Horses. As AQHA and the National Reining Horse Association continue to maneuver reining as the Olympics’ fourth equestrian discipline, Quarter Horses will continue to received worldwide recognition and acceptance as a versatile breed.

Recently, there have been several changes involving the Fédération Equestre Internationale, which is integral in getting reining accepted by the International Olympic Committee. Today, I have rounded up those stories.

FEI Appoints New Secretary General

Jean-Claude Falciola

FEI has announced the appointment of Jean-Claude Falciola as the new FEI secretary general. Falciola will primarily manage the FEI head office in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The FEI President, HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, said many candidates from the horse and business worlds were considered, but Falciola, 62, was chosen because of his rounded and extensive experience in many types of businesses.

“Jean-Claude Falciola is an excellent communicator and listener,” Borbón said. “His broad background and experience as a combination of assets made him the front runner. He will be supported by a strong management team with a deep knowledge of all facets of the sport.”

A Swiss national from Geneva, Falciola studied engineering at the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich and earned a master’s degree at Stanford University in California. He has worked at Eli Lilly in the pharmaceutical field and was chief financial officer at Renardet Sauti, an international engineering. For the past 27 years, Falciola has been a partner with Egon Zehnder International, a management consulting firm. He specialized in assessment and recruitment of business leaders.

A recreational rider, Falciola has been involved in skiing for most of his life and has developed a keen interest in sport and the business surrounding it. Very much involved in the world of sport, he was able to establish close contacts with the IOC.

"Sport having always been a main driver in my life and a source of great satisfaction, I could certainly not resist a call from the FEI,” Falciola said. “I am highly enthusiastic about this appointment and the task ahead.”

Former FEI Secretary General Bo Helander resigned August 31. He was part of FEI for 10 years, first as head of the legal department, and since May 1995, as secretary general. Helander continues to cooperate with the FEI as senior advisor to the Executive Board and works on specific assignments.

FEI Moves into Phase II for Organizational Restructure Plans

On September 14 at its headquarters in Switzerland, the FEI Bureau discussed the proposed plans for the new structure of the organization. The discussions among FEI Bureau members lead to the following conclusions:

• The project presented by the Management Consultants provided a solid foundation for further development of the FEI structure.
• The FEI needed to empower the FEI secretariat by increasing their responsibilities and making the staff more accountable.
• The bureau and FEI staff both concurred that more input from the national federations and technical committees was required in the new structure.
• Greater simplicity in the structure was required to ensure cost-effectiveness and practicality.

Following the recommendations of the bureau, the Executive Board decided that Phase II would be an internal review to ensure progress was maintained and the bureau’s comments included. A working group led by the chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee was formed.

If the proposal prepared by the Working Group meets the approval of the Bureau, a consultation phase will be initiated (Phase III), which will include meetings and presentations to the Geographical Groups and the National Federations. Once Phase III is complete, a final plan will be submitted at the 2006 General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for approval by the General Assembly.

FEI Reining’s Strategic Plan Released Today

The FEI Reining Committee released its strategic plan today for making reining the fourth Olympic equestrian discipline by the 2012 London Games. Here’s a summary of it:

1. To have reining fully integrated into the FEI system by 2006.
2. To have an FEI reining presenting sponsor and/or sponsors, providing funding for national and international championships and to assist with reining development by 2006.
3. To develop by 2007 adequate stewards and judges for the growing number of FEI reining competitions.
4. Using reining’s unique position as an equestrian discipline with spectator appeal and television opportunities, to have in place by 2007 a worldwide marketing and television platform for the sport.
5. In cooperation with national federations, to have established reining programs in 35 countries on six continents by 2008.
6. To have 150 FEI-approved reining competitions worldwide annually by 2009.

One World, One Whoa

That’s the motto of the reiners gathered in Manerbio, Italy, for the $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters, which is Saturday.

Reiners and reining enthusiasts from around the world have poured this little Italian town for the finals of the finals. The event is running concurrently with the 2005 Italian Reining Horse Association Maturity.

To learn more about the finalists and the event, visit www.worldreiningmaster.com.

Kevin Lynch and Fairlea Zannie Jay Win Amateur Futurity

Coming into Thursday’s amateur cow work, Kevin Lynch and Fairlea Zannie Jay had a 417.5 after the herd and reining runs. They had a dynamite run down the fence, posting the high score of 224, to take the National Reined Cow Horse Association Amateur Futurity Championship back home to Ulm, Montana, with a 641.5-point composite.

Lynch purchased “Zannie,” by Colonel Pic and out of Zannie Jay Lena, during last year’s NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Select Sale. He brought her back to Reno for his first time to compete in the futurity.

“I knew she was a great fence horse, and we finally drew a cow that let her show her stuff. I just stayed out of her way and let her go to work,” Lynch said. “I knew it was a good run and I was happy with my run, but I didn’t expect a 224. It hasn’t sunk in yet!”

Matt Armenta of Whitesboro, Texas, finished reserve in the amateur riding Smarty Montana by Hesa Smart Chic and out of Montanas Playgirl. He drew up second and marked a 207 to finish with a 636-point composite.

Anne Reynolds of King Hill, Idaho, finished first and second in the non-pro futurity prelims with her American Paint Horse, Shoshone Pony, and her American Quarter Horse, More Magic Please, respectively.

Late Wednesday evening, two-time NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity non-pro champion Dema Paul of Cave Creek, Arizona, rode Primos Bob Acre to win the non-pro bridle class with a 291.5. “Bob” was the 2002 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity non-pro reserve champion.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity runs through October 2 at the Reno Livestock Event Center in Nevada. For up-to-date results, a list of those still in the running for the Sundowner Drawdown and a live Web cast of the Futurity, visit www.nrcha.com.

— Tonya Ratliff-Garrison