It's been a week since the FEI Hybrid Assembly in Antwerp, Belgium took place. There, the national federations voted in favour of the Olympic Format with three horse-and-rider combinations per team. Even though numerous international riders stated that they wished to see a different format, in sake for the horses and also the riders. The International Jumping Riders Club has now stated that athletes are "disappointed and saddened".
Prior to the FEI Hyrbid General Assembly, the FEI Jumping Committee issued a report in which they agreed to respect the Olympic Formula with three horse-and-rider combinations per team. However, the IJRC now states that the FEI Jumping Committtee was not unanimous. This was because two of the members, Daniela Garcia and FEI Athlete Representative Pedro Veniss, were against the three-per-team format.
The statement from the IJRC goes as follows:
"FEI Jumping Committee (JC) members Pedro Veniss and Daniela Garcia would like to underline that they are against the decision of 3 riders per team competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, although the IOC letter has been accepted by the FEI JC. This is in spite of the fact that it is not task of the IOC to define qualification and format of the different Sport disciplines.
Veniss and Garcia regret about the position assumed by JC President Stephan Ellenbruch, at the FEI General Assembly in Antwerp, in support of the qualifications system for the Paris 2024 Olympics based on teams of 3 riders. Pedro Veniss (BRA) (Worldwide Athletes' Representative) and Daniela Garcia (MEX), support and share the athletes' position and wish to disassociate themselves from support of both the qualification system and of teams composed of only 3 riders with no drop score.
Athletes from the IJRC, NARG and other continents declare themselves disappointed and saddened by the proposal presented by the FEI. Athletes’ considerations on FEI GA (Antwerp November 2021) will follow shortly after the International Jumping Riders Club General Assembly in Geneva on 10 December 2021."
Source: IJRC