FEI Dressage Chair Resigns Ahead of Discussion

While the chair of the dressage committee has resigned, the status of the other committee members remains unclear. (MYCHELE DANIAU/AFP/Getty Images)

Mariette Withages, the embattled chair of the FEI dressage committee, resigned before the federation's General Assembly could discuss a motion Friday to remove her.

In a statement released Friday morning during the annual meetings in Buenos Aires, the FEI said, "Considering the present situation, the Chairman of the FEI Dressage Committee today decided to present her resignation which has been accepted by the FEI."

On Oct. 31, the FEI executive board requested the immediate resignation of the entire six-member dressage committee. In a scathing letter, Princess Haya, president of the FEI, called the committee "completely uncooperative and self-serving" and denounced its "lack of flexibility."

Withages had indicated she had no intention of resigning, but apparently reconsidered as the meetings wore on. The FEI Bureau voted Tuesday to bring the matter of her removal to the General Assembly for a decision Friday.

In the statement, the FEI Bureau thanked Withages for "the good work she has been doing during almost eight years" and the "contribution she has made to the development of the dressage sport during this time."

The statement also pointed out that Withages would present the dressage committee report to the General Assembly.

The status of the other dressage committee members remains unclear.

The FEI has appointed a group of leading dressage riders and trainers to review key issues in dressage and "inject a new focus in the sport."

Complaints about dressage judging have tarnished the sport. Princess Haya also charged that a secret meeting between dressage committee members and representatives of four federations during the Olympics in Hong Kong "jeopardized the image of our sport within the Olympic family."

Written by

Karen Rosen

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