New international eventing levels to be introduced
The removal of the dressage coefficient and changes to the flag rule are also among proposals put forward for 2018
NEW competition levels, removal of the dressage coefficient and changes to the flag rule are among the major proposals for the 2018 FEI eventing rulebook.
The FEI is planning to introduce “five-star” levels and, at the other end of the scale, a 1.05m “one-star” with other classes shifting up a star rating (see box).
“The eventing committee is proposing for 2018 a review of the structure of the competitions to adapt to the current global level of the sport and better support the implementation of the Olympic strategy,” said an FEI statement.
“This is part of the continued effort to address risk management and the cost-effectiveness of the discipline together with encouraging the development of the number of nations participating in eventing.”
It says the 1.05m level would not be compulsory to qualify for higher levels, but would give a “transition” between national and international competitions in developing eventing nations. It could also be used for pony championships and be “the basis” for a children’s level or category.
The CIC5* will be the level at which Nations Cups and a new World Cup series could run.
CCI5* will apply to Olympics and World Equestrian Games.
Current CCI4* events would be in their own category, such as “iron horse” but as yet unnamed.
The dressage coefficient — which means each combination’s penalties are multiplied by 1.5 — would be dropped at all levels, while the “run-out — missing a flag” rule could be tweaked.
This would mean if a rider was clear, but unsure if that was the case, they would not be penalised if they chose to re-present.
This year, they can either represent and accept 20 penalties or continue but risk 50 penalties if they were found to have missed a flag — as happened to Sam Griffiths at Badminton.
THE RIGHT DIRECTION
EVENTING Riders Association president Bruce Haskell told H&H he thinks the flag rule change is a “step in the right direction” and that the proposals overall are a “good set of rules to move our sport forwards”.
He said it is a positive move to take the top events into their own category, and from a marketing view it is good to have the World Games as a “five-star” competition.
He added he expects there to be more discussions over the actual format of championships and that the introduction of a 1.05m level is “very positive” to help developing eventing nations.
Top British eventer Harry Meade welcomed some of the proposals. He thinks it is “quite right” that riders who have jumped clear are not given 20 penalties under the flag rule.
“Under the current ruling, if you are in doubt there is no benefit in re-presenting as it guarantees you a fault,” he said.
“The new rule means you can make sure without automatically penalising yourself.”
He also welcomed the removal of the dressage coefficient.
“Since the removal of the roads and tracks and steeplechase, the spread of marks in the jumping phases is less, so it is appropriate that the spread of marks in the dressage should be reduced so as not to give it disproportionate influence on the competition as a whole,” said Harry.
He had questions about the unified format of lower level events replacing CIC (international oneday event) and CCI (international three-day event).
“Although this does not directly affect the major events, it may have an impact on the education of riders and horses. Exposure to the CCI format at the lower levels gives younger riders the experience of getting horses fit and riding in a rhythm over a longer distance, skills that stand you in good stead as you progress to the higher levels,” he said.
“Also, many grasssroots riders have no wish to progress further than current one-star, but their major aim is a CCI — without stepping up in level it provides a mini championship feel. So long as organisers run them, I think most riders, amateurs and professionals, will go to them.”
The FEI wants national federations’ feedback by 18 September. The final drafts will be voted on at the FEI general assembly in November.
“The proposals would impact many British Eventing (BE) stakeholders, particularly organisers of current CCI* and CIC* and CCI4* classes,” a BE spokesman said.