The FEI Nations Cup series will be run in 2024 according to a new format. During the FEI World Cup final in Omaha, the FEI announced via a press release that it has its first draft of the new format ready. The community reacts with mixed feelings. Again decided unilaterally, it is a positive signal and there is now a framework from which the various actors; the FEI, the IJRC (International Jumping Rider Club) and FEI Jumping Committee can finalize the new format - under time pressure.
The FEI has announced its plan to revive the FEI Nations Cup series. The new concept, the Longines League of Nations, is currently a concept that still needs some fine tuning. The framework of the Nations Cup sits well, but innovation is pressing!
Since its launch in 1930, the series has been organized according to its well-known format, now often under new names or headings. With the advent of new competition series, the interest of the FEI Nations Cup competitions seems to be waning. For years the Nations Cup format has been under fire, mainly due to the advent of Jan Tops' Longines Global Champions Tour concept, and later his Global Champions League. Or for several years now, the North American Major League Show Jumping.
"It's a question of prize money," Maurice Van Roosbroeck told in the 2022 Jump-OFF. "Riders have become spoiled with thickly spiced profit endowments at international competitions. Compared to other CSI5* competitions or the CSIO5* Rolex competitions, the FEI Nations Cup competitions motivate a lot less. This is a pity, because there is nothing better than being able to represent your country at a Nations Cup competition. So I think we have to make sure that the competitions that host a Nations Cup are attractive again. It does become important that money should not be the only drive in this."
Millions compared to a million
Just to make the comparison. The Rolex Grand Slam series, which organizes a Nations Cup in each round, stands at four rounds good for about 5,000,000 euros in winnings. On top of that come a bunch of possible perks. For example, winning twice in the Grand Prix can win you up to an additional 500,000 euros. If you win all four Grand Prix competitions you get 1,000,000 euros extra.
The Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League go the extra mile. In the final in Prague there was a total of 8,250,000 euros to be divided. Compare this to the Nations Cup competitions for a moment? The FEI competitions guarantee about 200,000 euros per Nations Cup and a final of 1,750,000 euros.
Furthermore, it is remarkable that quite a few of the former strongholds of the Nations Cup Division 1 series chose to continue the concept independently of the FEI in their own format. Most organizations found their own sponsor in the process. Just think of Aachen, Rome and more recently (2021), La Baule.
"Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage of the difference in prize money is that it is difficult to motivate riders to go full out. They often prefer to save, the slightly better horses for Rolex Grand Slam competitions or other better doped competitions." explained Gilles Thomas in Jump-Off. "On the other hand, it also gives the countries that have a lot of good combinations the space to let younger combinations gain experience. Although the EEF Nations Cup series are increasingly taking over that role."
"If you talk to any rider at the highest level they continue to recognize the importance of the Country Awards," Ingmar De Vos says. "The importance of the competition series has been recognized. Not only by the riders but also by the various national federations and organizers. Just think of the launch and (re)introduction of the Nations Cup in Belgium. In 2022, the Belgian federation put its shoulders to the wheel with Stephan Conter. In 2023, there will be no competition in Knokke, but the cooperation will continue to put the Nations Cup center stage, then in Brussels." continues De Vos.
"We just have to make sure that the future of the series is also assured. Money will be the motivation, but there are other issues at play as well. The public opinion we face may also motivate us to tackle the series."
New concept seeks solace
Clearly the FEI is determined to revamp the series. During the FEI World Cup finals, it was announced that the Division 1 will be transformed into the Longines League of Nations. An important change is that the number of qualifying competitions will reduce to five, but the prize money per Nations Cup competition, for teams and individuals, will be increased to 700,000 euros. Furthermore, bonuses will be introduced for the best U25 rider and best Chef d'Equipe.
Immediately it becomes clear that this will have its impact on the international calendar. Although Ingmar De Vos explains in his press release that this impact will be limited. After all, a number of competitions will change its CSIO5* status, unless those organizations attract their own sponsors to place, like Aachen, Rome and e.g. La Baule, their own Nations Cup competition on the calendar. Some will most likely be included by the EEF series in Europe.
Not reinventing the hot water!
The outline currently on the table for the new series does not intend to reinvent the hot water. It wants to make the competition series attractive again and give it a future. As the number of qualifiers reduces to five, all countries, qualified to compete in the series, would have to run all five qualifiers. In the current format, countries choose five qualifying races from a calendar with multiple selections.
For the qualifying competitions, the format of two rounds and a jump-off would remain identical. Eleven countries, the organizing country and 10 invited teams, compete in the first round. The best eight teams will compete in the second round. There, the proposal is currently on the table that teams will start with zero points again in this round. This is different from how the concept is today.
If there is an ex aequo there will be a jump-off. Also new, a team would be allowed, as in the Olympic format or the Global Champions League, to make changes to the team, between the first and second rounds.
On to 2024!
Clearly, the new draft is not yet final. Moreover, it has not yet been discussed at the FEI Jumping Committee. Big concern may be that some of the perennial favorites are in danger of losing CSIO5* status. Most important question here is who will decide which organization will or will not be allowed to host a qualification.
Like the steward rule introduced in late 2022, the proposal does offer a basis to work on. After all, the new format would take effect in 2024. This immediately puts the necessary pressure on the various players to work out not only the concept, but also the technical details.
"At this stage, too little has been communicated about the format. It will undoubtedly require adjustment and will obviously stand for another spirited process until we have a finalized format," explains journalist H. Jonckers. "But on the other hand, it is positive that the FEI recognizes that innovation is needed to give Nations Cup competitions a future. While I think the traditional format will make for fairer sport, we now have a starting point from which to move forward."
Source: Equnews