Fewer eventers but more dressage riders at the Rio Olympics in 2016

Fewer eventers will represent their country at the next Olympics, but more dressage riders will be called up, under new proposals from world horse sport’s governing body, the FEI.

The plans — which will be presented at the FEI Sports Forum in Switzerland next month — would harmonise the number of riders per team, to a uniform four, with three to count.

At London 2012, eventing teams comprised five members, showjumping four and dressage three.

FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos said the main goal was to “harmonise our rules and make them easier for the wider public to understand”.

He added that the success of Greenwich had put horse sport “in a somewhat more secure position” in the Olympic programme.

“But we must remain vigilant and alert and should not spare any effort to keep our sport as successful as possible in the Games,” he added.

Mr de Vox explained that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had sent a “very clear message” that it would not accept an increase of the overall quota for equestrian sport of 200 horses.

“Consequently any improvement needs to be addressed within this quota of 200 horses.

“With a sport that is, luckily, developing in all parts of the world, this is not an easy exercise,” he added.

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