The General Assembly (GA) is the most authoritative board in which all 137 National Federations (NFs) across the six disciplines participate and vote in. The assembly will take place in November 10 to 13 in the South-African Cape Town. This year, the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification system will be one the top priorities.
Olympic qualification system for Paris 2024
The proposals concerning the Olympic Games of Paris 2024 cover the order of the competitions, the draw for the horse inspection and starting order, the judges, horse and athlete minimum eligibility criteria (MER) as well as others. The Olympic Ranking is also under scrutiny.
The FEI proposes to again let the teams take turns first before the individual competitions, as they did in Tokio. A second training session would be scheduled between the two separate competitions.
The jumping committee proposes regarding the selection criteria, that only results of Grand Prix, Nations Cup or World Cup competitions with a minimum height of 1.55m (instead of 1.50m) will be taken in account. Special Qualifying Competitions will no longer be allowed.
The jumping committee also finds an extra, sixth jury necessary as to be able to follow all the regulations regarding the Olympic Games.
There are also far-reaching proposals about the FEI Olympic Ranking. In order to be included in the ranking, only participation in competitions that also apply for the Longines Ranking will count. They also want to see the allocation of points adjusted on the basis of the number of participating combinations, so that competitions with fewer riders and horses at the start, the placed will be awarded less points.
A summary of the proposed changes with the corresponding explanations for the Paris 2024 Olympic regulations can be found here. The changes regarding the FEI Olympic Ranking can be found here.
FEI Jumping Rules
There is also a proposal concerning eliminations. It states that members of the jury should be able to interrupt the round of a combination at any time if he feels like the horse's welfare is endangered by continuing to ride. They want this decision to be final and not open to discussion. If this new rule would implicate problems during the season of 2023, it will be re-evaluated in 2024.
The imposed maximums for entry fees will also increase following the agreement of 2017 in which it was agreed that entry and prize money is subject to inflation. The prize money has already been adjusted, the maximum for entry fees will increase by 10%.
A summary of the proposed changes with the corresponding explanations can be found here.
FEI General Regulations
The conditions for organizing an FEI competition are also being tackled firmly. For example, organizers/events who failed to have a successful financial policy in former competitions, can be denied to host a new event.
There also will be consequences for canceling or adjusting the events already scheduled on the calendar, and deposits will be requested.
The rule regarding suspensions will be further detailed so that it does not only apply horses, riders and officials but will extend to trainers and support staff.
A summary of the proposed changes with the corresponding explanations can be found here.
Further adjustments
Legislation regarding the anti-doping policy and veterinary regulations will also be amended. You can find those summaries and their corresponding explanations here and here.
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