New points system for FEI dressage Nations Cup series
Riders’ opinions are split over the new system for scoring and team placings introduced ‘with the sport in mind’
INFLUENTIAL rule changes have been introduced to the dressage Nations Cup series, changing the way results are calculated.
This year, team placings are to be decided by points rather than scores, as has been the case in previous years.
Under the new system, winners will be allocated one point, second place two points, third place three points and so on for all placings, with the lowest overall team score winning the competition.
The top three results per team for the grand prix, and the best three results in the grand prix special and freestyle will count towards the result.
In case of a tie, the team with the best result in the grand prix would be ahead of the others.
The rules were approved at an
FEI bureau meeting in February.
Previously, results were calculated by rider scores, taking the two best of three grand prix performances, the two best grand prix specials and the best grand prix freestyle for each nation.
MORE COMPETITIVE
AN FEI spokesman told H&H the changes had been made “with the sport in mind” and with the “necessary buy-in” from the FEI dressage committee and the national federations.
British dressage rider
Anna Ross welcomed the new scoring and said it would help make the Nations Cup more competitive by making margins between placings smaller.
“I think it’s a good concept,” she told H&H. “It will make it a much more exciting league because we won’t have the ‘Michael Schumacher effect’ [with one particularly high-scoring competitor dominating the competition overall].”
Anna explained that if all competitors are within a few points of each other, “the leaderboard should go up and down a bit more”.
“Currently, if for instance Germany scored 80% they could be on 320 points, a smaller nation could score 60% and be on 240, then it’s over before it’s started,” she said. “I also think as it gets towards the end of the league, a team will still be able to fight even after a slow start.
“It will be interesting to see how it goes. It’s really good that the FEI is thinking of new innovations to keep the sport fresh and interesting.”
Anna also thought the new format could help encourage more riders into the sport and some of the smaller nations into contention, by narrowing the gap between nations.
“It will make it more of a team competition than an individual,” she said. “You’ve got to give riders something to fight for.”
IS ALL CHANGE GOOD?
FELLOW British rider Gareth Hughes had his reservations and was concerned that the new system is not needed.
“Sometimes I think these changes come about because the powers that be think change is good,” he told H&H. “I don’t think change is always the right thing. I think they think this will make it more clear by using the points system and make it more understandable for the viewer, but they’re trying to fix something that isn’t broken. These changes may be beneficial for the public, but not necessary.”
Gareth said he would be interested to see how the system affects scoring and noted the differences it would make.
“Previously by having a high-scorer in your team — like Charlotte and Valegro — creates a buffer,” he said. “For instance if you have one horse on 80% and another on 76%, that’s a 4% buffer. Now it will be just one or two points between you.”
The FEI was unable to comment on the changes when H&H went to press.
The Nations Cup fixtures will take place in Wellington, United States (27-31 March), Compiègne, France (17-20 May), Uggerhalne, Denmark (23-27 May), Rotterdam, Netherlands (21-24 June), Falsterbo, Sweden (12-15 July), Aachen, Germany (17-22 July), and finally, Hickstead, UK (26-29 July).
‘It will make it more exciting’
ANNA ROSS