The 2006 FIHB General Assembly was held in Neereoteren in Belgium in October. Some important decisions have been made in order to make FIHB more efficient and organised to increase our services towards our members. An important objective was also to find solutions to generate small financials revenue in order for FIHB to apply its policy.

In 2006 FIHB welcome three new members: Canada, Pakistan and USA

From 2007 Horse-Ball players participating to an international event will need an International Licence. The cost of the licence for the first year will be of 50 Euros and will be due on the first day of International Championship Competition that would cover them for all International Championship for that year.

In some occasion, for a new country that have to organise for a first time an International event, FIHB will provide technical and consultancy help (example – FIHB inspector pre-competition, the ‘field’ equipment, referees, officials, the competition organiser will be expected to pay the cost. FIHB will provide a quote on an individual basis for each competition.

4. Development Commission : 

Claude Michelet will lead the development Commission. CM presented a development plan to the FIHB and explained that he would contact the different countries to understand their development plans in order to be able to help new countries in the future. CM will organise clinics for new countries and will make a list of suitably qualified International coach’s who are able to travel around the world to help coach Horseball, the aim being for all to develop with similar objectives for Horseball.

A new category has been proposed for international competition 17 -21 years on horses in line with the FEI ‘young rider’. A decision was made to try 17-21 initially, even if only a few teams can play and then narrow the age gap if required in the future. Under 16 for Pony Championship remains the same.

6. Calendar 2007-2012 : 

Competition Commission have put together a competition calendar that will be published for the next 5 years and a project plan to identify the milestone dates for each competition will be published on the web-site. The commanding officer of the Cadre Noir has written to the FEI recommending Horseball following their exemplary behaviour at Saumur in 2006.

The European Championships 2007 will be at St Lo 10-14 August. 2

Austria submitted an invitation for 4 countries to attend a competition in Vienna 08 June – 10 June 07. America needs to hold a competition in 2007 order to qualify for the World Cup 2008. Spain and France both have a proposal for this competition.

7. Report from the Referee Commission : 

NG reported that his objective has been to build a list of International Competition referees. He has visited several countries already and will send the list to all FIHB members along with a proposal form for new referees. It is intended to hold clinics for new referees and for existing referees to work together on an understanding of the rules in 2007. NG will advise FIHB members of the dates and send out application forms. 2 clinics already planned are March in the USA and Vienna in June. A visit to Canada by NG was very successful for the first official matches organised there. NG thanked all who helped in Argentina at the first World Pato-Horseball Cup in April and all those who helped at the Pony Championships in Saumur.

1.The competition organisation to pay for the expenses of the referees and ground jury. 5 referees of 3 different nationalities and 3 Ground Jury. 2. The competition organiser to pay for stables. 3. If the competition does not have a sponsor then it may be necessary for players to pay for accommodation and meals in future. It has been asked to Referee Commission to assess the new referees in two levels. NG will send the list of referees to all competition organisers to choose their referees. The FIHB bureau will check and approve the final competition programme and officials.

9. FEI Rules : 

Pony Measurement: Ponies will be measured at the competition and must be 148 cm without shoes and 149 cm with shoes this over-rides FEI/measurement certificates. Vaccinations: A 6 monthly vaccination will now be required instead of annual (from 2007) Testing for prohibited substances: security will be required for stable areas to ensure testing can be carried out for prohibited substances. THE PLAYERS MUST BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE TESTED FOR PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AS WELL AS THE HORSES by the FEI. FEI passport: this is not required at the moment unless horses are travelling out of Europe but that it would be a good idea for players to start getting FEI passports ready for the future.

10. Other Business :

Germany will be playing Horseball at a big show in Sweden soon to try to showcase the sport there. EB will try to attend also.

Next Meeting: Next General Assembly will be held at the European Championships in St Lo in August 2007.