A new FEI pony rule has become effective as of 1 January 2010 which states that only 25 FEI pony combinations will be allowed to move on to the individual test at future European Pony Championships.
The FEI issued this rule change after an official inquiry with NF's and central persons in the pony sport. The aim is to reduce the number of competition days at the European Pony Championships. The high number of competitors (between 50 - 60) made the Championships too lengthy with over 6 days of showing.
"The European Pony Championships were in 2009 over 6 competition-days, and with the new formula for 2010 we foresee 5 competition days," FEI Dressage Director Trond Asmyr told Eurodressage.
This rule change entails that pony riders who do not finish in the top 25 of the team test will not get the opportunity to compete in the individual test for a "rematch," but are immediately sent to the consolation finals, in which they can ride their second test at the European Championships.
The FEI further wants to encourage CDI-P show organizers to insert the pony preliminary test back into their program as additional class for the riders, though not at the European Championships as it were to make the event too long in duration.
"Some of the riders will only have the possibility to ride two competitions. However, it has been a clear condition that every competitor should have this possibility. The consolation will also be an easier test than the Individual test. This is important as it will hopefully have a motivation effect for those who do not qualify for the Individual competition, as higher marks and percentages will be obtained," Asmyr explained. "It is not positive to leave a championship with very low marks, which might be the result if they were forced to ride a more difficult test."
Though this rule change is not widely known yet, the intention of rule change was sent out to the National Federations for consultation and was finally approved at the General Assembly in Copenhagen in November 2009, as a standard annual revision of the rules.
Some pony riders and pony parents are disappointed in this rule change as the first test -- the team championship test -- will be immediately decisive for the further qualification in the event. Young children are more prone to stress and often perform below standard in their first ride at the European Championships. Furthermore, the trip to and participation in the Europeans are a very expensive affair and maybe not worth the investment for two rides instead of the usual three.
Others believe that the rule change will raise the bar. Pony riders would be able to achieve higher percentages in the team and consolation class and be more motivated by this change.
It is also peculair that this change does not affect Juniors nor Young Riders. Their divisions at the European Championships are identical in size (50-60 riders), but their format has not been changed.
The FEI pony rule change can be found on page 93, click here
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2009 European Pony Championships
