When you want to enter an event like a CVI or world championships, the requirements are quite different than what you would expect at regular Canadian vaulting competitions. You will be entering on behalf of your country so this involves both Equine Canada and the International Equestrian Federation.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

As the requirements for international competition may change from time or time, this document is intended only as a guide for those interested in entering an FEI competition. It does not replace the rules and other documents issued of the FEI, Equine Canada or Vault Canada. It is the responsibility of vaulters and coaches to read the rules and other official documents governing international events.

Here are some terms you need to know

FEI: Federation Equestre International. Also known in English as the International Equestrian Federation, although it is always abbreviate by its French name – FEI. The FEI has three official languages – French, German and English. Most of the official titles etc. are in French.

CVI: Concours Voltige International. These are FEI vaulting competitions at which vaulters can earn qualifying points for the next world championships. They are also a way for advanced vaulters to experience the honor of representing their country at an international level.

Entries in Principle: The deadline for countries to indicate there are going to send vaulters to a CVI or the world championships. When a vaulter competes in a CVI, they are no longer competing for their home team – they are competing for Canada. Therefore it is Equine Canada that notifies the CVI or championship organizers that Canada will be entering. No names of vaulters and horses are provided yet.

Nominated Entries: At this time, Canada will submit the names of vaulters and horses that are expected to compete.

Definite Entries: This is the final deadline and the point at which entry fees must be paid. Depending on the location of the CVI you might be told to pay the fees through Equine Canada or directly to the event organizing committee.

Canadian Equestrian Team: a team that is formed of all disciplines (including vaulters) when Canada is sending athletes to a major international event such as the World Equestrian Games.

VaultCanada: This is the national organization for vaulting in Canada. It is actually the vaulting committee of Equine Canada. Representatives are elected from every province that has an active vaulting program. They decide on issues such as national vaulting rules and the qualifications necessary for vaulters to enter a World Championship.

Competitor Check List

1. To enter a CVI or championship you, or your coach, first need to notify the chair of the VaultCanada committee. The email address is on the main Contacts List page.
2. Then you will notify Equine Canada that you want to compete. You or your coach will do this by phone or email, contacting the coordinator for Non-Olympic Disciplines. For 2012, your contact is: Wendy Gayfer, Coordinator, Non-Olympic FEI Disciplines, wendygayfer@equinecanada . 613-248-3433 ext. 125 If you are not sure who to contact go to the EC website at http://equinecanada.ca - Go to Departments, Vaulting, Contact Us and look for the information about the coordinator for non-Olympic disciplines.
3. In addition to all your usual memberships required for vaulting, you will need an Equine Canada Platinum Sports License. This can be purchased online at equinecanada.org The cost for a Platinum Sports License in 2014 is $200. If you buy another sports license earlier in the year, you can apply the cost of that license to the Platinum fee later in the same year. If your lunger is from Canada, he/she will need a Platinum Sport License as well. If your lunger is from another country, he/she will need their country’s equivalent. Also, your horse will need an FEI Passport. These cost almost $400 and are good for four years.
4. Complete an Authorization to Compete form and an FEI Registration Form. You will find these on the EC site. Go to Downloads, Vaulting and then select the two forms. Follow the directions on the forms. With the FEI registration there is an additional cost of $20 for the vaulter and $20 for the horse if it is from Canada. This is valid for one year.
5. Determine from your coach, the EC coordinator or VaultCanada how the entry fees will be paid. For North American CVI’s it is often decided that the competitor will just send the entry fees directly to the competition organizer. For most major international events you will pay any fees through Equine Canada. You might be shocked to learn how much more entry fees are for FEI competitions. This is because the costs are also considerably more for the organizers. There will be four FEI level judges, one or two stewards and an FEI veterinarian at every CVI or FEI championship. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 for individual classes. Team entry fees are usually about $300/team
6. For most CVI’s, there is no limit on the number of vaulters who can participate from each country. However, at world championships, the organizing committee (the FEI) will determine this. Typically each country gets to send 3 women, 3 men and 1 team plus reserves. It is up to VaultCanada then to determine the eligibility for Canadian vaulters. Although the FEI itself sets out minimum performance requirements, VaultCanada can add additional requirements to its selection criteria. The final decision on who gets to represent Canada at world championships is made by the VaultCanada selection committee. The selection criteria will be posted on the vaultcanada.org website early in the qualification period. Study this carefully to make sure you are meeting the criteria for competition at this level.
7. Many Canadian vaulters borrow or lease horses for CVIs that are held outside this country. That is mainly because of the high cost of shipping horses. It is up to each vaulter (and their coach) to determine which horses(s) will be used and make arrangements with the horse owners. There is no established fee for leasing a horse for competition. Each horse owner will have their own fee and other requirements. Generally you can expect to pay at least a portion of the transportation costs, stabling, lunger licenses etc. Exactly how much will depend on how far the horse and lunger had to travel and if you are sharing the horse with other vaulters. You should have both a primary horse and a reserve horse for each competition. The reserve horse is in case your primary horse does not pass the veterinary inspection.
8. If you are using a horse that is not from Canada, you will need to let Equine Canada know and will likely need a special form signed by the horse owner and lunger.
9. Once you are accepted by Equine Canada and VaultCanada as an athlete who represents this country, it changes the way you enter even regional competitions in other countries. For example, every time you enter a USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) sanctioned competition in the United States you are expected to email our Equine Canada coordinator so she knows you are competing abroad, even if it is not for an international competition. There is no charge for this.
10. What if your citizenship is not Canadian? The International Rules for Vaulting allow junior vaulters (those 16 and under) to compete for the country they and their parents live in, even though they are not Canadian citizens. This allows a young vaulter to compete on a team or as an individual for Canada as long as they are a resident here with their parents. This applies only to CVI 1* events. Senior vaulters, and those wishing to compete in CVI 2*, 3* or at world championships, must compete for the country of their citizenship. If you are a junior with another citizenship make sure you or your coach have notified Equine Canada well in advance of the competition so they can make any necessary communication with the country of your citizenship. Note that the rules about citizenship with the FEI have been in flux for several years, and like any rules, are subject to change.
11. When you represent your country as an athlete you come under the Athlete Anti-Doping Regulations and the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport. Their website is http://www.cces.ca - It is your responsibility to become very familiar with the requirements of this program. Under the section entitled Athlete Zone you will find a great deal of information to help you, including an area where you can check all medications, including over the counter products, to ensure you are not violating the rules. Vaulters at this level should not be surprised to find drug testers at competitions. In fact, if you have declared your intent to qualify for a world championship, you should expect to be tested. Be prepared. Read this website thoroughly and take it seriously. There is an excellent video on the Doping Control Procedures and a database for evaluating medications and supplements. Please be careful with supplements and “health” store products. Many of these are not standardized. Just because its “natural” doesn’t mean it’s allowed.
12. The new 2012 international vaulting rules will make it possible for many more Canadian vaulters to represent their country. There are three levels of CVI’s, known as 1*, 2* and 3*. Competing in one of these events will also determine what level you compete in for Canadian competitions. A vaulter who competes in a CVI 1* must compete in at least Division C canter at home; a vaulter who competes in a CVI 2* must compete in at least Division B canter and a vaulter who competes in a CVI 3* must compete in at least Division A canter in Canada. Vaulters who have the honor of representing Canada at a world championship must enter Division AA canter in Canadian events.
13. There are now separate events at CVI’s for children and juniors. A vaulter between the ages of 12 and 14 (as of January 1) may enter an FEI Children’s event; vaulters between 14 and 18 years of age may enter the junior classes and vaulters age 16 and above may enter senior classes. Notice there are overlaps in the age groups. Also, a child or junior vaulter may enter as member of a senior squad and also in their own age category as an individual.
14. If you intend to compete at the FEI level it is important that you know the FEI rules. This is not just the responsibility of your coach and lunger. The FEI rules can be downloaded free of charge from the FEI website at http://www.fei.org/disciplines/vaulting/rules