FEI Changes 2021 World Cup Rules to Increase European Domination, Cutting Out Some Prospects from Other Nations

The 2021 dressage World Cup Final may become European for all but three riders under new rules written by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) that eliminates starting places including one that had seen competitors from South America and Asia compete in the annual championships.

Under the new rules the FEI, based in Lausanne, Switzerland and the FEI Dressage Committee whose six members are all Europeans eliminated three of the 18 starting places that were reserved for a non-league competitor, an extra starting place and a home athlete.

The three places, the new rules state, “will be given to the countries from WEL,” the Western European League that is already allocated nine of the 18 starting places at the final that is scheduled for Gothenburg, Sweden in April.

The rule change means that the nine current spots for Western Europe, plus two for Central Europe and the defending titleholder, Isabell Werth of Germany, and the three new slots for WEL take up 15 of the 18 starting places.

Only the two places allocated to North America, Canada and the United States, and one for the Pacific of Australia and New Zealand likely will represent the entire world outside Europe.

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Article written by: KENNETH J. BRADDICK