To participate in the Rolex Top Ten Final, riders must be in the top 10 of the FEI Longines Ranking (or just outside it if other riders withdraw) and be a member of the IJRC.
With some withdrawals, Abdel Said would have been eligible to compete. “The fact that I’m no longer an IJRC member is a conscious decision!” says Abdel Said.
"Over the past few days, I’ve received several calls from friends and colleagues asking why I won’t be competing in the Top 10 Final in Geneva. Unfortunately, as a non-member of the IJRC I am not allowed to take part - a policy established by the IJRC." writes Abdel Said.
"Back during the COVID period, I stopped paying my IJRC membership fee. At that time, many of the shows were taking place in St. Tropez, and the same invitations system remained in place — the invitations continued to go only to the top 30 riders riders and to those willing to get pay cards. The top 30 riders were repeatedly invited, or pay cards were sold, while the rest of us had no opportunities to compete. Unfortunately, at that time, I was ranked around 60th in the world."
"I reached out to the Jumping Riders Club on several occasions to propose solutions — for example, rotating invitations every other show or every two shows — so that riders further down the ranking list could also have a fair chance to compete. As we all know, the ranking list is very large, and the top 30 represent only a small fraction of all riders. During that period, those same few riders competed again and again, while the rest were left at home watching.
I felt that my concerns and suggestions were not given enough attention by the IJRC and also that there was no willingness to explore possible solutions. I understand the final decisions may not have been entirely in their hands, but I had hoped for a stronger response and greater effort to support riders beyond the top 30. Since then I decided I didn’t need to continue my financial contribution to the IJRC."
"That is why I am unable to compete in the Top 10 Final in Geneva this year. Even though you are in the eligible group on the ranking list, the IJRC still has the last word as to who can compete” The showjumper concludes.
