At the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Antwerp, Belgium the Olympic format with three horse-and-rider combinations pre team and the qualification system for Paris 2024 was approved today. The FEI's proposal for the qualification system for the 2024 Olympic Games was to be reviewed as a priority for approval. 81 national federations voted in its favour while 15 voted against the proposal. Another big topic on the table they voted over was the much-debated Olympic format of three horse-and-rider combinations per team. 70 national federations voted in favour of the three-per-team format and 30 against.
Leading up to the FEI General Assembly, national federations and stakeholders were asked for their opinions on the proposed qualification system for Paris 2024. The deadline was put on the 15th of October. But shockingly, only eight out of the 136 affiliated national federations submitted written feedback on the Olympic format, despite the topic being heavily discussed as well as before and after the Games in Tokyo.
A few of the worlds top riders such as Steve Guerdat, Ludger Beerbaum, Mclain Ward, Nick Skelton and Rodrigo Pessoa have been among those who have spoken out their criticism towards the system that was introduced at the 2020 Games, with three horse-and-rider combinations per team and no drop-score possible. This led up to some events that made everyone question the horse's welfare. The FEI Jumping Committee agreed to respect the Olympic formula with three horse-and-rider combinations per team.
Earlier this week on Monday Swiss rider Steve Guerdat was present in Antwerp to adress the national federations at the meeting which took place in the lead-up to the FEI General Assembly to encourage those present to not vote in favour of the format of three team members. But despite this message from one of the world's best riders, the national federations voted in favour of teams of three as well as the proposed qualification system for Paris 2024.
Click here to read the full FEI wrap-up from the General Assembly