The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
International Jumping Riders Club
FEI JUMPING RULES REVISION: PROPOSALS AND FIRST RESPONSES TO POINTS SUBMITTED BY IJRC
Last week, the FEI provided relevant memos including the 1st Draft of proposed rules changes. The next step establishes that the Federations and all stakeholders have until 21 August to submit their feedback on the proposals.
Only the Equine Anti-Doping & Controlled Medication Regulations are being fully reviewed in 2024, so, it is not jumping's turn, but the IJRC has submitted a few proposed amendments to matters needing an urgent "fix".
Many of the proposed modifications didn’t meet the Periodical Rules Revision Policy Criteria and were deferred to the next jumping full revision, for example:
“In a Grand Prix all athletes without penalties may start in the second round” Art. 273.2.2 (submitted by BEL NF, FRA NF, GBR NF, NED NF), and the proposals regarding tack and equipment – such as use of the whip, or the list of permitted bits and bridles in jumping.
Regarding the requests submitted by the IJRC, the FEI has provided the following feedback:
- IJRC request: (Jumping Rules, Article 261.4.5) In addition to the above paragraph, to be eligible to take part in the Grand Prix and/or the FEI Jumping World CupTM Competition at a CSI5* or CSI5*-W Event if there is no qualification system in place, Athletes must have achieved, with the Horse with which they wish to compete in the Grand Prix and/or the FEI Jumping World CupTM Competition, the following result within the 12 months prior the day of the Grand Prix of the Event (AND NOT: to the definite entries for the Event): four Penalties or less in the initial round of a 1.50 m Competition or higher run under Table A. The above requirement does not apply to the Athlete/Horse combinations pre-qualified for the Grand Prix at CSI Events according to the provisions of paragraph 4.2 above (example: case of Spain's rider Eduardo Alvarez Aznar in Bordeaux).
FEI feedback: The Jumping Committee acknowledged the issue that could arise (for new combinations for example) and was in favor of amending this rule. It was in addition suggested that some clarifications should be made to ameliorate the wording of the article.
- IJRC request: (Jumping Rules Annex V- CSI INVITATION RULES Section 4) CSI5* Invitations: Introduce one extra wild card for CSI5* for an eligible under-25 athlete, for which age group it is otherwise very difficult to participate.
FEI feedback: The FEI Jumping Department can already allocate one (1) FEI wild card invitation at CSI5* events and two (2) FEI wild card invitations at CSIO5* events and makes sure there is a good rotation of allocation of these wild cards. The Jumping Committee encourages National Federations to apply for FEI wild card invitations for their U25 athletes.
- IJRC request: (Jumping Rules Annex V- CSI INVITATION RULES Section 4) CSI5* Invitations: Introduce one extra wild card for CSI5* for an eligible under-25 athlete, for which age group it is otherwise very difficult to participate.
FEI feedback: The FEI Jumping Department can already allocate one (1) FEI wild card invitation at CSI5* events and two (2) FEI wild card invitations at CSIO5* events and makes sure there is a good rotation of allocation of these wild cards. The Jumping Committee encourages National Federations to apply for FEI wild card invitations for their U25 athletes.
- IJRC request: (Jumping Rules Annex VI) Prize money: Allow a 30% reduction across the range of tariffs in South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, where there is high inflation and/or other economic difficulties. IJRC will also lobby for relief this year.
FEI feedback: IJRC and Regional Groups highlighted the issues that the changes to prize money requirements that came into effect on 1 January 2024 have caused to some countries and the Jumping Committee and Jumping Department are working on finding a suitable solution for all Stakeholders to be presented at the 2025 FEI General Assembly if necessary.
- IJRC request: (FEI General Regulations Article 161.2 – Protests) At competitions with no Appeal Jury:
/To introduce the right to protest to the FEI Tribunal or FEI department and not to the same judges or panel that judged the subject of the protest (GRs Art 161.2)j;
/To remove the following from matters which cannot be protested:
(i) decisions based on a factual observation of performance during a Competition or the or awarding of marks for performance and
(v) the time taken for the round (GRs Art 161.2).
FEI feedback: The FEI does not support such proposal. Field of play matters should not be subject to protest as otherwise any Ground Jury’s decisions would be appealed or subject to a protest. As confirmed by the FEI Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (for both FEI cases and in many other sports), field of play decisions cannot be challenged, unless there is evidence of arbitrariness, bad faith or corruption for example. There is a need for clarity and consistency, and it would not be manageable to have field of play decisions challenged at every FEI Events.
IJRC does not agree with the FEI Feedback as IJRC respect the field of play rule, but in case of Jury evident mistake we believe the right of a second opinion is fundamental.We respect the CAS jurisprudence, however the most of it didn’t consider the quite recent cancellation of the Appeal Jury that gave the athletes the possibility of asserting before and possibly rectifying errors of fact or regulations of a previous judgment issued by another judge before a superior judge.So if there is no way to open the door to an official appeal to the FEI Tribunal, it may be better to reintroduce the Appeal Jury.Furthermore, we do not believe it is appropriate for a single judge to bear the burden of a decision considered final, which moreover depends on the opinion of an individual.
- For any question related to the 2024 Rules Revision Process, please click here.