A few weeks ago, Eurodressage received some emails from international dressage riders complaining about ridiculously high entry fees to compete at CDI shows in Germany. They brought to light that in order to obtain a berth at the show, riders of smaller dressage nations are only allowed to enter it if they pay a fee between 3,000 and 5,000 euro, while riders of the bigger dressage nations either just pay the nominal entry fee, or ride for free. The situation is even worse. The most famous celebrity riders get paid substantial amounts of money to compete at a show as show organizers hope to attract bigger crowds when a celebrity rider is on the participants' list.
While the dressage committee of the FEI is on a mission to promote dressage world-wide and stimulate the globality and transparency in the sport, riders from small dressage countries are obstructed in their development by being forced to pay bribe entry fees to compete. Show organization circumvents the official entry fee by resorting to blackmail practices, which undermine FEI regulations. They demand the riders to buy a "VIP table" in exchange for an entry. Eurodressage mailed the organizers of the CDI shows, which are known to resort to "bribes for entry," but they were unavailable for comment (read: they did not reply to our emails). While it is understandable and generally known that running an international dressage show is very expensive, organizations should be more creative in generating money through sponsorship than by blackmailing riders.
However, Mariette Withages, chairman of the FEI Dressage Committee, responded immediately to our mail and confirmed that the FEI is aware of these unfair practices. "Prices for a VIP table range between 2,000 and 5,000 euro. This practice comes from the jumping world. In dressage it was not very successful because the FEI Dressage Committee was normally informed and able to help a rider to enter a show," Withages explained. Fortunately, the new 2008 Dressage Rules will include a rule that prohibits this practice. "The new proposition in the design of the 2008 Dressage Rules has been sent to all national federations and we are waiting for their comment," Withages said.
Let's hope the FEI will live up to its mission statement and help support dressage riders from smaller nations. It will be interesting to see how the FEI is going to inspect and control the entry fees and fair management of CDI shows world wide.