In response to Eurodressage's "FEI Riders Ranking System Ready For Change Or Not?", Thomas Baur, the chair of the Association of International Dressage Event Organisers, confirmed that the AIDEO is seeking for common ground with the IDRC.
"AIDEO is open for discussion with the IDRC to find common ground on the future of the rankings. We would like to see increase of participation in general and of the top riders and combinations," Baur told Eurodressage.
FEI rider representative and FEI Dressage Committee member Anna Campanella expressed concerns about the newly proposed system for calculating World Ranking points. She believes the newly formulated system does not create a level field of play for riders from smaller dressage nations or with smaller pocket books to obtain entries at 4 and 5* events.
Campanella said the new format will be "a short term protection of interests of organizers" as the riders will still get "bonus points for the 4* and 5* shows". Through the new system there will be "more entries from top riders" because the "top riders go where price money is higher." Furthermore, she added that "access to the 4 or 5 stars events is not the same from a geographical point of view."
Baur agreed that the World Ranking List needs to be more flexible and changeable to make it more exciting and fun for the audience
"Another goal is the increase of classes to count to make the list moving faster and not competing combinations getting down/out quicker," Baur stated. He referred to the situation in which horses get sold to a different rider/owner, but the old (no longer existing) combination still keeps on being ranked highly; or alternatively top horses competing at very few shows in order to be spared, but still keeping their high spot on the ranking.
Baur further refuted Campanella's concern in the accessibility to 4 and 5* events, which she described as unfair and often depending on riders/sponsors buying a VIP table to obtain an entry slot.
"We strongly reject the accusation of the riders' representative in the FEI Dressage Committee that the riders cannot enter CDI4* and 5* unless they pay for it. If she has as proof of (such) cases it would be smart to report this to the FEI," Baur stated.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
FEI Riders Ranking System Ready For Change Or Not?"
18th October 2007: Bribes for Entry
