Dubya's FEI Campaign Takes Shape

A daring campaign platform has emerged, from Ilovethecarrot:

Russia Is A Sports Power (and don't you forget it)

The Russia Is A Sports Power (yes, that's really the name of it) international forum has been taking place in Moscow this week. Doping is a naturally a hot topic in advance of Sochi 2014 with the entire Russian nordic ski team facing a blanket ban from their own Olympics if they do not get their act together.

Our good friend Alexander Nevzorov must be beside himself because RIA Novosti reports that HRH has done a deal in Moscow with the Russian sports ministry and the Russian NF to establish a development center there for equestrian sport. Oddly, there was no FEI press release on that. Mr. Nevzorov's petition against said sport presently has nearly 1300 signatures.

Coincidentally we're sure, Russia's equestrian federation president Dmitry Titov was selected by HRH to be on her development task force. And the Russian development center will also be helping other former Soviet nations, each of which happens to hold a vote at the General Assembly. And Russia is also for the progressive list. Wonder what the price tag on this little deal was. Campaigning sure is expensive.

Be sure to vote in our WEG poll!

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Henk Rottinghuis Is Very Businesslike

In fact, we're stunned and even gobsmacked at the businesslike-ness of this gentleman. He said he'd have his survey results in the middle of July, and sure enough, here they are on his website. How is this possible?

Interesting to read NF comments. Especially: "The events in Hong Kong could have been avoided." Exactly, we've been saying that for two years. Or for as long as the Carrot has existed. Then you have this huge over the top incredibly expensive overreaction to what was essentially a faux crisis, that can never undo the damage done to the sport. And no accountability whatsoever for the tragically misguided decision making at the top.

More on Mr. Rottinghuis' survey from Around the Rings. Actually ATR just reprinted the KNHS press release, but in this case we're detecting a very low BS quotient of less than 10%, so it might be OK. In any case we're pleased that Ed Hula and Co. are even slightly interested in this little FEI election thing, so we thought we'd send a tiny amount of traffic to their website. Here's another article on the survey from Horsetalk. And we must say shame on the shocking 72% of national federations who did not even bother to participate in Mr. Rottinghuis' survey. What's that saying? You get the government you deserve. Here's somebody trying (apparently at his personal expense) to figure out what YOU want done, to help YOU, and. . .you guys just suck, really.

Lest we seem biased or something, we should include equal coverage of all the campaigns, but that's unlikely to happen. Dubya of course still needs to get his rear in gear with the belated launch of his manifesto which we might have to make a movie about. Readers may have heard that HRH was recently campaigning hard on a development tour in the Caribbean. Here she is in Trinidad and Tobago:

And hello to the good people there at Good Relations, since they are always so keen to read what we have to say about Mr. Rottinghuis.

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Henk Rottinghuis: The Movie

We were thinking that FEI dark horse candidate Henk Rottinghuis (NED) really needed to post some videos on his website, so that people can feel they are getting to know him more than they would just by reading what he has to say. Et voilà:



The more videos the better; we hope when he has digested the results of his survey he will comment on different issues in further video clips.  In order to want to vote for him people need to hear him speak. We are particularly interested in learning more about the consolidation of the Dutch federation and what he might have learned from that process. He has also posted an English translation of a Hoefslag article about his candidacy, and was interviewed by Phelps Sports (subscription required). Here are some of his policy and management ideas.

Sven Holmberg has formally sent out his platform to the NFs, as reported by dressage-news.com, which has been a great source for election news, and further elaborated by Horsetalk, another great source of election news. (what has now gone to the NFs looks to be the same thing published on his website and passed around by email in May). And we would love to see a video from him as well, even though the FEI Nation already knows him far more than Mr. Rottinghuis. Mr. Holmberg is keen on the FEI restructuring but like many at last year's General Assembly appears to take issue with prior efforts. Readers may recall the last attempted FEI restructuring was shot down in Copenhagen 49-48, well short of the two-thirds majority required to amend the Statutes. That proposal (summary here) was the work of Princess Haya, FEI Secretary General Alex McLin (USA), Gerardo Werthein (ARG), John Long (USA), François Mathy (BEL), and Martien van den Heuvel (NED). But last-minute, inflammatory changes not done in accordance with the statutory procedure sealed its fate.

We must commend both candidates for their openness with the general equestrian public in discussing their ideas. We vaguely recall the 2006 Edition of HRH Princess Haya starting this modern and wonderful trend with a dedicated election website (there wasn't nearly so much interest back then so it wasn't that widely circulated.) So there, The Carrot has complimented HRH.

Great now I'm probably going to get fired.

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Henk Rottinghuis Is Fabulous

The website of FEI presidential candidate Henk Rottinghuis (NED) is up and running, and he even linked to the Carrot, like we're a real news source or something. FABULOUS! We like a candidate with a sense of humor. It looks like HRH's latest PR team there at Good Relations noticed the link as well. Maybe they are handling HRH's attempted re-election whereas the crew at Hill and Knowlton seems more crisis oriented, focusing more on eg, the Morrissey cluster. Or maybe the latter agency just liked reading the Carrot on an April Sunday afternoon along with the FEI and USEF, in the interest of managing a PR crisis horse welfare. Good times!

This is better than when we got a press release from NOGOE, just like we were the real media or something. The Carrot felt badly for not coming up with anything on Greenwich but we'll keep trying. Ideas always welcome!

Other than a link to the professional survey Mr. Rottinghuis sent to all the national federations and affiliate organizations, we don't see anything newly published on the site that we haven't already linked to, other than his contact details. But the survey company promises to have the results ready by July 14. Efficient. Informative. Open. Professional. We like it.

Always on top of all things Swedish (and HRH-related), Hastmagazinet reported that Dear Leader's other challenger Sven Holmberg gave an interview to tabloid from hell Expressen. Unfortunately like most things Swedish, it's in Swedish so no one else can read it. However TranStar, which is the  Carrot's Official Swedish-to-English Translation Partner, tells us he emphasizes that he is not a princess. This is indeed a plus however we must note that Henk Rottinghuis is also not a princess.  What else ya got?

Mr. Holmberg recently traveled to China on behalf of the FEI (and Rolex), to sell watches see about a World Cup League there.  Interesting. In related news, here's a recent Australian news item about an upcoming international horse fair in China. And as we noted awhile back Meydan is building a giant horse city near Tianjin. Everybody wants some of that. As long as they don't do this to the horses, it's all good.

In the interest of keeping up with the transparency game and salvaging her presidency, HRH is to be fitted with an "ear-cam" at all future major events, so the public can see just who is manipulating her aural orifice. The footage will be broadcast live on FEI TV. Whether or not audio is to be included is still under discussion.

Since transparency is all the rage, HRH will also be publishing a list of all her personal heroes and other cohorts on the FEI website, so all riders are fully informed and can be sure to stay in the good graces of anyone who might be able to influence her to do something totally wacky. Like retroactively eliminate and disqualify a perfectly sound horse on "welfare" grounds even as an unfortunate Swiss creature, "crippled since Tuesday" in the words of Rodrigo Pessoa, is allowed to pass inspection.

As you can see we're fresh out of material here until she does something else crazy!

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We're Really Starting To Like This Guy

Henk Rottinguis (NED) is dramatically pulling away from the FEI presidential field with the latest news of his intentions, from dressage-news.com:

"Ahead of presenting a full manifesto to the federations before this year's World Equestrian Games, I will communicate personally with National Federations and all stakeholders who rely on the FEI. Only when I have listened to them would it be appropriate to outline a program with clear deliverables."

Minus 100 points for use of the word "manifesto," but otherwise this sounds like a great plan.

"It is essential to include everyone who will be affected by decisions and those who have to get involved in carrying out those decisions to warrant success,” he said. "I feel many are seeking quiet leadership and more partnership between the executive and the field. If that is the case, my profile will suit the position."

+1000 points

For the period of the election, he has resigned as a member of the FEI Audit and Compliance Committee to avoid possible conflict of interest.

+1000 points even if really not necessary. It sends a message.

He said the FEI needs a "stable administration and a structure in which initiatives and proposals come about in a democratic and transparent way.  Our sport needs to be enjoyed by many more, should be inclusive for all, and remain relevant in a modern world in which the balance of power is shifting to new continents."

"The President is the figurehead of the FEI but the national federations are the FEI," he said. "It is only with them and other stakeholders including riders, owners, organizers, officials and sponsors, that the success of the FEI can be guaranteed. My campaign for the Presidency, and if elected the Presidency itself, will reflect and never forget that fundamental belief."

+1000 points for use of the word "figurehead"

Sven Holmberg's program looks pretty vague, but it's early yet so maybe he will elaborate as he gets feedback. Right now it sounds like status quo minus last-second NSAID proposals.  And minus a whole lotta cash.

I can't officially make an endorsement in the Carrot's absence and a certain other candidate will probably end up being endorsed just for entertainment value, but I am really, really liking Mr. Rottinghuis thus far.

+1000 points to dressage-news.com for being the only equestrian media source really telling us much about him. Here is the original press release. The KNHS has also posted his CV, his motivation letter, and their announcement to the other NFs. Mr. Rottinghuis' campaign web site is http://www.henkforfei.org/.

prior story

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Horse and Hound Grows A Pair (We Like It)

Publishing an article by Pippa Cuckson, Horse and Hound has gotten a bit saucy about the FEI presidential election. We didn't know they had it in them.

Asked about the election Princess Haya told H&H:
"An election that focuses on ways to strengthen,
improve and unify our federation is good for the
FEI and our sport."

Readers may recall HRH putting forth to the NFs an election "Manifesto." And the rest is history, thank you Simon Brooks-Ward. It disappeared from just about everywhere online, we can't imagine why (see prior story). But the reliably saucy Aussies still have a copy posted even though it's barely readable.

It's great that Sven Holmberg has already published an outline of his intentions. We haven't had a chance to read it yet and it's probably just a bunch of vague bullshit but at least he didn't call it a "Manifesto." But that it is published at all is modern. This is good. Progress has been made.

There's also contact information on there for Mr. Holmberg so you can ask him really important questions like, "Do you think it's appropriate for the FEI president to be meeting with officials in the middle of a major event and where is that role stated in the president's job description?" (see prior story)

No word yet on if HRH will recycle her old Manifesto or if the comedy gods will bless us with a new one. She did sort of promise not to screw anything else up: "My goal now is a period of calm to build on the progress we have made together."  Somehow, we're not convinced. Especially because that comment was published on March 31 and then there was that little World Cup thing just two weeks later. And somehow, we doubt all that money is going to NOT try to get endurance into the Olympics regardless of what discipline has to be sacrificed. Best to wait until you get a second term for that. Heads: eventing, tails: dressage!

Swedish Equestrian Federation Makes it Official

The Swedish Equestrian Federation made the official announcement today that Sven Holmberg, FEI 1st Vice President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee, will stand for election to the FEI presidency against HRH in November. They have put out a strong statement against what happened in Copenhagen, which we applaud. As usual, Häst is also not mincing words. We're glad there's another option; however we're disappointed that Mr. Holmberg did not use Geneva as an opportunity to further differentiate himself from HRH at least by remaining silent, especially when his entirely appropriate outrage over the General Assembly had been so, uh...vividly expressed. So we can only conclude that either he agrees with HRH's activities at the World Cup Final, or he was just being a good boy and falling in line. That he is running against her would seem to suggest it's not the latter, which is concerning.

The problem in Geneva was the same problem that existed in Copenhagen: a president out of control. Whether it takes place in an office or on the field of play, it's the same beast. Anyone who agrees with what went on in Geneva is unfit for the FEI presidency, even if they think the guy was indeed up to something. Plenty of people are up to something, but it's for the event officials to decide, without political interference, period. This cannot be negotiable. And anyone who plays footsie with her under the conference table to get what they want by any means necessary (e.g., NSAIDs) must accept they played a role in creating the monster that just came back to bite them in the arse. It's still corruption, even when it gets you what you want. You can't pick and choose and say, "Oh, we don't like that kind of corruption." You can't have it both ways. You're either for it or you're against it; pick a side.

HRH formally announced her re-election bid back in March, which was almost entirely overlooked by the equestrian media. We sort of got the feeling she didn't want to make a big deal of it and didn't even notify them. The mainstream press reports consistently noted that HRH was responsible for the introduction of term limits for the presidency, so that must have been part of her own press release. That change was great and much needed (of course, it could always be changed again later if it suits). But we are reminded that there was another huge change in the FEI Statutes that was introduced at the same time and never got any press at all, even though the negative consequences of it have been seen time and again. We think it's very relevant at this juncture.

The Carrot Reads From History's Great Manifestos

The Carrot believes it is important to read, even if you're a vegetable. Recently, we dabbled in Marx and Engels' The Communist Manifesto:

"Democracy is the road to socialism."

"Hitherto, every form of society has been based...on the antagonism of oppressing and oppressed classes."

And now we turn to something that is clearly in the same league, HRH Princess Haya's FEI Presidential Manifesto:

"I see my role as President being as follows:
I see myself as a Facilitator. In other words, I do not wish to interfere with the day to day management of the Secretariat or the workings of the Bureau, but to guide and advise where necessary."

Really?

You can't make this stuff up.

This is sure to be a fun Carrot feature during the upcoming campaign season! Because sometimes, you just can't improve upon reality.

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Candidate For FEI Presidency 2010

The Carrot was conceived in late 2008 out of concern for George W. Bush's future job prospects. Following the troubling FEI General Assembly in Buenos Aires, we saw an opening that he might be able to fill, and The Carrot was born (albeit in a very select distribution).

Candidate For FEI Presidency 2010

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