Session 9: FEI Eventing Rules - Full revision

Session 9: FEI Eventing Rules – full revision

Proposals outlining the modifications to the FEI Eventing Rules that are undergoing full revision this year, were discussed during the ninth session of the FEI Sports Forum 2022.

The draft changes were presented by FEI Eventing Committee Chair David O’Connor and FEI Eventing and Olympic Director Catrin Norinder.

The main proposals from the Eventing Committee put forward for discussion included:

• For Jumping test scores of 20 penalties or higher to lead to elimination with no participation in the Cross Country test when Jumping is before Cross Country.
• Additional MERs for CCI4*/5* to ensure recent results at this level.
• Reduction of Athlete Categories timeframe and adjustment of the number of MERs.
• Requirement for National Safety Officers (NSOs) to attend annual Eventing Safety meeting.
• Additional responsibilities for Course Designers on Cross Country (dangerous riding sanctions)
• Tack and Equipment in particular on lever arms on bits.

The main proposals received from the National Federations and Stakeholders focused on the following:

• Rotation of Course Designers at Events
• Monthly update of Athlete categorisation
• Dressage penalties and tiebreaks
• Modernisation of the dress code for Dressage and Jumping Tests
• Measurement of obstacles with a spread
• Number of efforts on cross country
• Faults at obstacles – activation of frangible device/missing a flag
• Introduction of a remuneration for Officials at all events

During the discussion session, a question was raised about the number of years that would apply for the rotation of Course Designers to which the FEI Eventing Committee had suggested a six year roll over. Some delegates felt that there should be a differentiation of the number of years depending on the level of events, allowing Course designers for high level Events to take more time to integrate their ideas in the design. Some delegates also raised concerns about the costs of changing course designers.

With regards to the proposal to prioritise Dressage results to alleviate the pressure of the 1 decimal penalty in the tie breaks, one view was that objective results should take precedence in the tie break decisions i.e. the decision should be made on a factor that the athlete can influence such as optimum time, rather than on the Dressage test.

Delegates also debated whether activating a frangible pin or missing a flag impacts on athlete performance in Cross Country and if this should incur penalties. Some delegates suggested that the implementation of penalties would help to maintain a higher level of riding among Eventing athletes, which would in turn positively impact the social acceptance of the sport.

Speakers:
♦ David O'Connor (USA), Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee
♦ Catrin Norinder, FEI Director Eventing & Olympic