Photo by Eric Swinebroad
The FEI has quietly released the new eventing rules for 2016, but never fear EN readers, because we have been on the lookout for you. If you are amazing and have memorized the rulebook word for word, you can check out the clean version here. If you’re like me and need to see the red mark-ups to fully catch all of the changes, the marked-up version is here. All FEI eventing rules can be accessed at this link.
While there are many minor changes, we are outlining the highlights in this post. We strongly recommend that each rider read through the rules themselves.
CCI4* Qualifications
Rumors have been swirling throughout the year about an increased requirement to qualify for the four-star level, and that is what we have in the 2016 rulebook. The previous rule required one CCI3* and two CIC3* plus National Federation (NF) requirements for all categories of rider except A. Meanwhile, Category A riders could take any horse that had completed a CCI3* and ride it at a CCI4*.
The new CCI4* qualification requirements are as follows:
- Uncategorized, Category C, and Category D riders must now obtain two CCI3* and two additional CIC3*.
- Category B riders must obtain one CCI3* and three additional CIC3*, alongside National Federation requirements.
- Category A riders must qualify for the four-star level by completing a CCI3* as a pair with the horse.
- Categorized requirements for other levels now require some qualifications to be accomplished as a pair with the horse.
- The definition of a Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) has been added to allow 11 penalties for breaking a frangible pin to qualify.
EN confirmed today with the FEI that these new CCI4* qualifications will go into effect July 1, 2016. However, the FEI also confirmed that the three CCI4* events taking place in 2016 prior to that date — Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Luhmühlen — will have the option to adopt the new requirements.
EN is seeking clarification from Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Luhmühlen as to whether these events will require the new qualifications to compete at the 2016 events, so stay tuned. The new CCI4* qualification requirements will be in effect for Burghley, Pau and Adelaide in 2016.
Reverse Qualifications
- Reverse qualifications for the horse no longer expire due to a qualification exiting the rolling 12-month period, but must be cleared by an MER. This was previously a gray area.
- Should an athlete obtain two reverse qualifications (regardless of horse) within a one-year period, his category will be dropped down a level for the period of one year. Previously, his ability to use the categorized path was suspended for one year.
Saddlery and Dress
- Earhoods (ear bonnets) have been explicitly allowed for the dressage phase. However, they must be “discreet” in color. Ear plugs are specifically not permitted.
Refusals
- The wording has been clarified to explicitly require the head, neck and both shoulders of the horse to pass between the flags.
- When an obstacle is composed of multiple elements (A, B, C, D), a refusal will only be recorded if a horse circles around the back of the subsequent element. The previous rules prevented crossing the back or circling between any element.
Things We Were Expecting to See But Didn’t
- Cross country bit rules. Although we were told to expect bit limitations for cross country in 2016, there were no changes.
- Flag penalties. Despite a lot of chatter over possible penalties for hitting flags, the new rules only clarify the language regarding awarding refusals in ambiguous situations.
- New four-star dressage tests. We saw all levels except the four-star receive new tests in 2015 and were told to expect new four-star tests in 2016. However, the 2009 tests are still in effect for 2016 according to these rules.
What do we think about the new rules, Eventing Nation? Do you approve of new qualifications for the four-star level in the quest for improving safety in the sport? Let us know in the comment section.
