Please find below the latest news from FEIF, the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations. FEIF is bringing people together in their passion for the Icelandic horse. More information can be found on our website: www.feif.org . For mobile users: m.feif.org .

Spectacular opening of World Championships 2013 'Action' and 'Emotion' - those are the names of both shows presented at the opening of the World Championships 2013 with 8 and 12 Lusitanos, respectively. The organizers of WC 2013 (August 4-11) have managed to sign worldwide superstar Lorenzo as their headlining performer. True to its name, it will feature throughout its 2.5-3-hour-long program the best of the best with lots of equestrian action. After the relay ride will have passed through the historic Brandenburger Tor and before competitions begin at Berlin Karlshorst, this will be the place to be on August 4 with all entertainment kicking into high gear at 15:00h. Next to Lorenzo and his unique performances, come and enjoy Belgium's 'Thunderguys' with all their stunts and colorful fun in the heart of the WC 2013 arena. There will be jumping, dressage, races, Friesians, Roman chariots and so much more. You'll be surprised by this world full of discovery! Furthermore, the hundreds of WC 2013 relay riders will end their journey in front of our great crowd in the stadium, and

the audience on this Sunday afternoon will also be welcoming into the arena all participants of the World Championships from as many as 17 countries in a grand celebration. Tickets for 'HorsePower' are now available through the ticketing system on the WM 2013 website: www.berlin2013.de .

FEIF Conference 2013 The FEIF Conference 2013 will take place in Strasbourg (F), from February 8-10, 2013. The main themes are Ethics, Rules and Leisure Riding. The conference includes the yearly Delegates' Assembly - the highest authority in FEIF - plus the department meetings for chairmen, breeding, sport, education, youth work and leisure riding. It is the intention that as many representatives as possible from each member country can take part in specific and general discussions but also meet colleagues from other departments and through that contact get inspiration and benchmark from how things are done in other member countries. The conference is organised in cooperation between the French Icelandic Horse Association FFCI and FEIF and is open for all active members of FEIF member associations, members of FEIF committees and people otherwise connected to the work of FEIF.

World Championships 2013 in Berlin on their way On Monday, December 17, 2012 the FEIF Event Committee did meet with the Organising Committee of the World Championships 2013, August 4-11 in Berlin. The meeting took place in a very good spirit. The Organising Committee gave an update on the state of preparation. Together we could solve major issues in the time schedule, as more Young Riders are expected to participate. For the first time there will be seperate finals for Young Riders. Like always, a lot of work still has to be done, but nothing stands excellent World Championhips in the way. Members of the event committee are FEIF President Jens Iversen, Vice President Gunnar Sturlusson, Director of Sport Marko Mazeland and Roger Scherrer, organiser of the World Championships 2009 in Switzerland. FEIF Director of Breeding Marlise Grimm was present to discuss a further integration of the breeding show in the total program. The program will include the presentation of some succesful breeding farms as well. FEIF Director of Leisure Riding Lone Høgholt was present as well, as there will be a relay ride from different countries towards the Brandenburger Tor. The participants of this ride will be presented on the oval track as well during the opening ceremony on Sunday, August 4. Hundreds of horses will populate the oval track. Later on the audience will be surprised with a facinating show by Lorenzo.

IceTest Next Generation After the FEIF Software Conference 2011 a committee started to work to define the requirements for the next generation of sport competition software: IceTest NG. The first steps have been set, starting up the process of creating the new software, based upon requirements and functionality defined so far. In connection to the FEIF Conference 2013 in Strasbourg there will be a meeting to report about the progress and also to bring people together willing to join the project, to prepare for a release in 2014.

Doping rules The current situation about a positive doping/medication test at the Mid European Championships in Wehrheim, Germany urges FEIF to review current rules. This case revealed a lack of authority and procedures in our current doping rules. This makes it impossible for FEIF to act directly in a case like this, and maybe also the countries involved depending on the national legislation in each country. It also made us realise that our rules need further refinement, as they - as far as FEIF itself is involved - only apply to the World Championships. Our general rule book FIRO refers to the FEI rules when it comes to doping. The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in general horse sport, including Olympic games. However, FEI addresses sport events in a different way as we are used to. And FEI only covers sport events, but not breeding shows. Sport events and breeding shows in the Icelandic horse world are for most part international events. On the European continent it is rather common that riders from one country compete or show horses in another country, without any special procedures or licenses. Our rules state that membership in one country is valid in all countries. Our WorldRanking and the results from breeding shows are a good example of our international character. In the FEI rules there is a distinction between regional

and national events on one hand and international events (with riders for different countries) on the other hand. This leads to a situation where FEI member countries can apply their national doping procedures to regional or national events. FEI is only involved when it comes to international events. For the Board of FEIF this is the reason to come quickly with proposals to change our rules, to ensure that future cases can be handled swiftly. Our aim is to develop a system where doping/medication cases at any Icelandic horse event are treated the same way all over the world. All national chairmen have been approached this week to be informed about the ambition of the Board of FEIF. They are asked to inform FEIF about the situation in their country on short notice.

Good and Harmonious Riding 2012 Was the year of Good and Harmonious Riding. To stress this, FEIF did ask judges to nominate riders for their fine riding style, independent of the marks given. More then 100 riders were nominated. FEIF wants to congratulate Nils Christian Larsen, Stian Pedersen, Eyjólfur Þorsteinsson and Martin Rønnestad for being nominated at 4 different events in 2012. The Board of FEIF has decided to continue the emphasis on Good and Harmonious Riding after 2012. From 2013 on, FEIF International Sport Judges at WorldRanking events will be asked again to nominate riders for their fine riding style. The names of the riders will be published on a yearly list, to give all riders again a chance to be nominated many times.

Import of used riding equipment in Iceland strictly prohibited The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) would like to convey the following information to all visitors that plan on riding horseback in Iceland: Importing used riding equipment and used riding gloves to Iceland is strictly

prohibited. There are no exceptions to this rule. However, used riding clothes other than gloves can be brought to Iceland if they have received proper disinfection.

Sport Judges Test 2013 The test to become a licensed FEIF International Sport Judge will take place October 3-4, 2013 in Dahlenburg (DE), at Kronshof. At the same time FEIF will provide the service to member associations to have their judges tested to become a judge at a national level. Islandpferdegestüt Kronshof (fam. Schenzel) is located in the northern part of Germany, easy to reach from Hamburg airport. Registration of candidates is only possible through our member associations.

World Championships logo 2015 presented The logo is designed by Stine Sandahl and is inspired by a horse symbol, pictured on a piece of jewelry from ancient times. Visually it drags a line from the historical roots of Nordic mythology, Vikings and the Sagas up until today. The logo is a symbol of the Nordic collaboration for the World Championship 2015 to be held in Denmark and supports the theme of the event "New Nordic". Finally, it is also a symbol

of our amazing Icelandic horse as the distinct and powerful animal it is. The toelting "Dragon horse", which has become the nickname of the logo, magical and powerful with a high brand value. Thanks to Matilde Bøgh for beautiful photos and Jacob Brodersen who composed the music of the film.

FEIF Events until 25 May 2013

18-Jan - 20-Jan

FEIF Board of Directors Copenhagen Denmark

08-Feb FEIF Delegates Assembly 2013 Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

FEIF Conference 2013 Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

Annual Breeding Meeting 2013 Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

Annual Chairperson Meeting Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

Annual Education Meeting 2013 Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

Annual Leisure Riding Meeting 2013 Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

Annual Sport Meeting 2013 Strasbourg France

08-Feb - 10-Feb

Annual Youth Meeting 2013 Strasbourg France

10-Feb IceTest Next Generation Strasbourg France

23-Mar European Championships - Horses on Ice 2013

Haarlem (nr Amsterdam)

Netherlands

05-Apr - 06-Apr

FEIF Sport Judges Seminar (International Sport Judges)

Berlin Germany

06-Apr World Championships Sport Judges Meeting

Berlin Germany

08-Apr - 12-Apr

FEIF International Breeding Judge seminar + test 2013

Holar University College

Iceland

19-Apr - 21-Apr

Young Breeding Horse Trainer Seminar 2013

Skeidvellir Iceland