IJRC REACTS TO FEI FEEDBACK ON RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS

Next year the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) will re-submit a number of proposals for FEI rule changes that are not being taken forward for approval at the 2024 FEI General Assembly in Abu Dhabi this week.

Only one IJRC proposal for the 2025 FEI jumping rulebook will be voted upon; others have been disregarded for procedural reasons, which is no reflection on their merits. Firstly, fresh concerns about how blood on the horse is assessed arose at the Paris Olympic Games - but because the March 1, 2024 deadline for rule change suggestions had already passed, IJRC requests for a rule review on blood were too late.

Secondly, in 2019 the FEI introduced a "periodic "system, meaning each discipline's rulebook is only fully reviewed every four years. In the interim, changes can only be made if, for example, they relate urgently to horse welfare. For this reason, some IJRC proposals cannot be considered this year. However, jumping's next full rules review scheduled for 2025, giving the opportunity to debate these issues.

The IJRC's successful proposal was under Jumping Rules, Article 261.4.5, to extend the qualifying period for certain Grand Prix to rulebook the day of that class - currently the cut-off  is 12 months prior to definite entries. The FEI 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."

The wording  to be approved is: "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 CSI(O)5* 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 to the day of the Grand Prix of the Event: four Penalties or less in the initial round of a 1.50 m Competition or higher run under  Table A......" This should prevent a repeat of Eduardo Alvarez Aznar's experience in Bordeaux.

FEI anti-doping and controlled medication rules are the only set to have been fully reviewed in 2024. IJRC draws the attention of all riders to the possible future introduction of equine sampling Out of Competition and the requirement to inform the whereabouts of the horse.

These and other important changes to the sampling programme can be found HERE.

The IJRC's now deferred proposals and FEI feedback were as follows:

Elimination Rule

The elimination of the Brazilian jumping team at the Olympic Games for a micro presence of blood on a horse's flanks lacked all proportionality. The IJRC felt it warrants immediate review.

After Paris, IJRC proposed a re-wording to allow greater degree of discretion as to whether the horse could continue: "Art. 241.3.30 (blood on the horse's flank(s): When the lesion is visible to the naked eye,  provoked by an inappropriate act (intending, by inappropriate act, an excessive use of  the spurs); and a vet decrees the immediate elimination or disqualification of the pair. A micro lesion which does not cause suffering to the horse does not constitute Horse Abuse and the horse is not subject to elimination."

The IJRC argued that, with the growing challenge of social licence to operate, all eliminations appear to the public to be welfare problems or horse abuse, with catastrophic consequences for the image of our sport.

A fundamental principle of law establishes the proportionality between sanctions and violations of the norm - something which is not currently contemplated by FEI regulations. Officials should consider the consequences and any extenuating or aggravating circumstances.

The IJRC believes a distinction should be made between horse abuse (to be established by officials) and all other causes, which should be assessed by a vet as to whether elimination or disqualification is warranted - accidental injury; accidental micro lesions; and lesions caused by an inappropriate act of the rider.

The FEI made no comment on the merits of the proposal but has confirmed it will be discussed in the full rules review next year.

Extra wildcards for under 25s

Under the rules for ANNEX V – CSI INVITATION RULES, Section 4 (invitations for Foreign athletes or home athletes domiciled outside the home country) the IJRC requested an additional wildcard at CSI5* for an under-25 athlete (U25) who fulfils the necessary requirements.

IJRC submitted: " For a U25 it is nearly impossible to enter in 5* or to have an individual invitation for CSI5*. It is difficult for U25 athletes to emerge and to have the chance to improve their position in the ranking."

This was declined by the FEI, who stated national federations would be reminded of the wild card process and asked to ensure a good rotation and to prioritise U25 "as much as possible." The FEI Jumping Department can already allocate one FEI wild card invitation at CSI5*.

Unfortunately, though, it remains the IJRC's experience that in most cases the wildcards in 5* are not allocated to U25, because the rules prioritise riders who have to compete in Olympic Games or senior FEI championships.

Prize money minimum requirements

Under Jumping Rules (Annex VI) the IJRC requested 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.  Other regional groups have also highlighted this.

The FEI says it has been working on a solution possibly effective from 2026 and will present it at the General Assembly.  Meanwhile no exceptions are permitted.

Costs for riders

A request that the extra costs/ mandatory fees such as, but not limited to manure, electricity, parking, TVA, etc. must be in line with the list approved by FEI, IJRC, AJO and NARG is still ongoing, with no FEI feedback to report.

Protests

The IJRC also made representations over the procedure for Protests (covered by FEI General Regulations Art.161.2 and applying to all disciplines) at the events where there is no separate Appeal Jury.  IJRC proposed that riders have the right to protest to the FEI Tribunal or FEI Legal Department for certain matters: decisions based on a factual observation, or the awarding of marks for a performance; or the time taken for a round.  The IJRC says it is unfair that where there is no Appeal Jury, a protest is judged by the same people or panel who had made the disputed decision.

It is a core principle of all sport that a field of play decision is final. For this reason, it was anticipated the proposal would not succeed. 

The FEI said it "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 Event.”

However, the IJRC reiterates that riders have a right to a second opinion. In many other sports (football, rugby, tennis, hockey etc.) this practice has become the norm, use of VAR technology being an example.

The IJRC will undertake a lot of work in the coming months to ensure the necessary changes are approved at the 2025 FEI General Assembly, to take effect from January 1, 2026.

@IJRC