FEI Listens On Major Changes To Eventing

The international body has taken feedback on board in its final draft of proposed new rules for the sport next year

- Lucy Elder

THE final draft of international eventing rules for 2018 has been broadly welcomed by key players. The proposals include some significant changes from the early draft (news, 20 July).

This final version keeps the top-level events within the star system as CCI5* majors, rather than as a separate category.

It also includes a rejig of the names of each level and a move towards calling events “long” or “short” rather than CCI or CIC (see table). These naming changes have been delayed until 2019.

Badminton director Hugh Thomas said he is “very happy” with the treatment of CCI4*s.

“The four-star organisers had a meeting with the FEI during Burghley and had constructive dialogue,” he told H&H.

“The result is what we see in the new proposals. The FEI said the first draft was [for] consultation, and that is what it has proved to be.”

Burghley director Liz Inman voiced opposition to taking the top events outside the star system (H&H interview, 24 August).

“I understand, for the International Olympic Committee, the sport at Olympic level has to be at the top, so I can see we’re a bit of a nuisance. But if you’re not in the star category, you could be considered outside the sport,” she said at the time.

Lee Carter, director of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, agreed with the importance of keeping the CCI4*s in the system.