DRESSAGE AT THE ASIAN GAMES 2014 GUIDELINES FOR POTENTIAL COMPETITORS The following information is issued to advise potential competitors of the current plans of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) for participation in the Dressage Discipline at the 17 th Asian Games which will take place in Incheon from 20 September to 22 September, 2014. GOVERNING BODY The Asian Games are Continental Games governed by the rules and regulations of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as well as any regulations which might be imposed by the Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS It is the intention of HKEF to participate in Dressage competition provided that there are candidates who have achieved the necessary level of prior performance to indicate the serious possibility of achieving an individual or team placing (1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd ). At present, HKEF has no specific funding available other than the Preparation Fund provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department or the funding which individual athletes are already receiving from the Hong Kong Sports Institute. In the current year, we anticipate some Participation Fund will be allocated but the amount or restrictions are not yet known. Whilst HKEF will do its best to raise funds, these funds (if raised) can only be deployed once a team or at least a shortlist of rider/horse combinations has met the necessary criteria to compete. It is the responsibility of each interested rider to raise his/her own funding for the purpose of meeting the criteria, the Federation may not be able to raise the necessary funds. This includes, at this stage, the possibility that riders will need to fund their own transport of horses to/from the Games although HKEF will do its utmost to ensure that the best qualified combinations are not eliminated for consideration on these grounds.
COMPETITION DETAILS The firm technical standards for various disciplines of equestrian have not yet been received officially by the FEI. Although the proposed technical standards have been communicated to the National Federation during the Asian Equestrian Federation meeting in Seoul in April, 2013 and the Group 8 Meeting during the FEI General Assembly in Switzerland in November, 2013. Notwithstanding the above, based on the proposed technical standards for Dressage shall be implemented as follow: During the Dressage Team Event/Dressage Individual Qualifier, the riders and horses are required to compete in a FEI Prix St-Georges Test (updated in 2009). The Dressage Individual Competition consists of two rounds: The FEI Intermediate (1) Test (updated in 2009) is the Dressage Individual Round A. It is limited to the 25 best placed rider/horse combinations, including those tied for 25 th. The FEI Intermediate (1) Freestyle to Music is the individual final, which is limited to the 15 best placed rider/horse combinations, including those tied for the 15 th of the FEI Intermediate (1) Freestyle to Music. ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION CRITERIA A. Nationality Riders must first satisfy the nationality requirements of the Organizers and the HKSAR Government before they can be considered. Generally this means they must be a Hong Kong National. Necessary conditions for representing a country: (Extracted from Constitution and Rules of the Olympic Council of Asia Article 50. 2-3) (http://www.ocasia.org/oca/download/default/1/oca/4/1oca400150.pdf) 2. Competitors will be eligible if they comply with the following qualifications: a. That they were born in the country they represent; b. That they are nationals or citizens of the country they represent and have lived there continuously for a period of not less than three years; c. That they have become naturalised in the country they represent and have permanent residence there. 3. Competitors born outside Asia cannot be qualified unless they meet conditions in 2 b & c, where applicable. There are rather complicated rules for persons who do not hold a HK SAR passport but are resident in HK and fulfill other criteria. Each such case needs to be individually presented to the Sport Federation of Olympic Committee of Hong Kong China (SF&OC) for consideration.
B. Age limitations (Extracted from Technical Handbook of Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee IAGOC ): Age Limitation for Athletes Athletes should be at least 16 years of age (born in 1998 or before) for Dressage. Athletes should be at least 18 years of age (born in 1996 or before) for Eventing and Jumping. Age Limitation for Horses Horses must be at least 7 years old (born in 2007 or before) for Dressage. Horses must be at least 6 years old (born in 2008 or before) for Eventing. Horses must be at least 8 years old (born in 2006 or before) for Show Jumping. C. HKEF Membership Riders must be full and paid up members of the HKEF but do not need to be currently on any squad list. D. Performance Riders who wish to be considered for final selection for the HK team must submit proof to HKEF that the rider and horse combination have successfully completed a Dressage Test at Prix St-Geroges level at a CDI or a national event officially recognized by the NF of the respective country with a result of 65% or higher for 2 occasions by 31 st July, 2014, or earlier if so required by the SF&OC. Consideration will only be given to actual combinations of horse and rider. A rider may propose more than one horse. Subject to the results of the selection process, the Hong Kong team will consist ideally of four rider/horse combinations which will be chosen in an open selection process. Under all circumstances, the Federation will require the horse performance and Veterinary records of the previous 12 months.
Any rider requesting consideration will be required to sign a declaration that, if selected to compete, he/she will be willing for the horse to be transported to Korea by a date to be specified in order to meet its quarantine requirements. HKEF will take charge of the horse including in respect of the provision of stabling, the provision of a Veterinarian (except for the costs of all Veterinary treatments which will be borne by the rider) beginning from the day of entering into the quarantine in Europe and ending on the last day of competition in Korea. Primary consideration for selection will be the competition performance of the rider/horse combination with particular consideration given to the most recent performances. However, all horses will be required to undergo a Veterinary check and must be declared fit to compete by the Veterinary Surgeon appointed by HKEF. The riders will be required to strictly comply with all quarantine/vet health protocols, requisite vaccinations and lab testing for specified diseases in OIE approved laboratories as per guidelines laid down by IAGOC. It will be the rider s responsibility to keep abreast of all the requirements and inform HKEF in advance of the same. HKEF will not be responsible for not forwarding the entry to IAGOC by the date specified if there is a failure on part of the rider to submit any information asked for by IAGOC by the due date. In case of rider s qualified with only one horse. If the horse selected is unsound for any reason, it will not entitle the rider to be considered as an entry on different horse (as a horse rider combination) unless qualifying result are communicated on the second horse as well within the stipulated time. At the beginning of August, 2014, Training and Selection Subcommittee (TSSC) will make their selection for Dressage riders representing Hong Kong at the next Asian Games. The selection of the team will be done keeping in view their merit in the qualifying events and fitness of the horses/riders (as a horse rider combination). The entire selection process will be reviewed by TSSC in consultation with coaches, vet, and Executive Committee (ExCo) of HKEF before definite entries are forwarded to IAGOC in order to ensure best teams/individuals are selected to win potential medals for Hong Kong. The selection criteria after its endorsement by TSSC is also approved by ExCo and thereafter should not be open for any debate or any change.
Selection is at the sole discretion of the Federation. After selection, riders will be expected to train on a program to be agreed by each of the riders with HKEF. In order to be considered for the selection, the rider shall not at any time during the selection period participate in any hazardous or dangerous pursuit or voluntarily take any risk which might prevent the rider from being ready and able to ride at competition level or subject himself/herself or the horses to any event involving serious risk of death or injury. Furthermore, the rider undertakes that he or she shall not do or omit to do any act which may attract adverse publicity or may prejudice or adversely affect the reputation and image of HKEF or himself/herself. HKEF reserves the rights to amend its selection criteria as necessary, particularly where there is a change to the qualification system or circumstances affecting the nomination/ entries process. COSTS AND TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS IN KOREA HKEF will arrange and coordinate at its own discretion the transport of horses from Europe/ USA or another port of entry to the competition site, for the stabling of the horses during the competition, and for the return transport to the port of exit after the competition in Korea. HKEF will bear the transportation costs of horses from the quarantine location in Euopre to the competition venue and return to the same location in Europe, and will bear the stabling costs during quarantine and competition. HKEF will be responsible for the cost (accommodation, transportation and meals) of grooms during the period of quarantine and competition and for a reasonable period after the competition to allow the horse to be transported back. Any other arrangements will be borne by competitors. HKEF will consider reasonable requests for alternative arrangements to the limit of funding provided under the standard plan. HKEF will appoint a Team Coach, Veterinarian and Chef d Equipe for the relevant periods. HKEF will NOT be responsible for the provision of grooms, trainers or equipments during the selection process.
HKEF will NOT be responsible for the costs of horses transport, riders transport, quarantine, stabling, insurance or any other costs other than those specifically listed as included in this document. INSURANCE HKEF is unable to provide insurance for horses at any stage. All liability for accident, injury, or death of horse, rider, or third party is the responsibility of the rider or horse owner as appropriate. QUARANTINE AND IMPOPT/EXPORT REGULATIONS Quarantine and re-export protocols for horses entering into Korea have not yet been published and will be advised to all interested riders as soon as known. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Interested riders are requested to express his or her interest to the Secretary General of HKEF, by filing in the attached reply slip, providing the HKSAR passport and HKID card copies and describe in written details on any current plan regarding horses, location, training and funding possibilities by email to angela.kong@hkef.org on or before 30 January, 2014. Angela Kong Secretary General HKEF
To Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (Fax No.: +852 2966 5082) (On or before 30 Jan 2014) Acknowledge receipt of the DRESSAGE AT THE ASIAN GAMES 2014 GUIDELINES FOR POTENTIAL COMPETITORS I agree and accept all the terms mentioned in the DRESSAGE AT THE ASIAN GAMES 2014 GUIDELINES FOR POTENTIAL COMPETITORS regarding the 17 th Asian Games Incheon 2014. Acknowledge and agreed by: Signature: Rider Name (In capital letters): Date: For Office Use Receive date: