WEG enforces new dressage rules

New FEI dressage rules are to be used in the World Equestrian Games (WEG), in Aachen (24-27 August). In accordance with the FEI’s new dressage rules implemented in January, the Organising Committee of WEG have agreed to award separate medals to the winner of the grand prix special (individual Competition) and the grand prix freestyle (Kür). The new formula will not alter the team competition, in which medals are awarded after the grand prix.

Double individual medals were first introduced in 1991 at the European Championship in Donaueschingen, Germany and were awarded at the FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague in 1994, before being discontinued, when the grand prix freestyle (Kür) became the individual final.

The new three medal championship formula adds more significance to the grand prix special, which has previously been the second qualifier for the Individual medal. “We are delighted that the Aachen rganising committee have accepted to implement the rule change already this year, and we do appreciate their efforts to make this possible in such a short time,” said Mariette Withages, Chairman of the FEI dressage committee. “This will without doubt add excitement to this 2006 World Dressage Championship.”

The main change in the new formula is that individual medals are no longer based on the cumulative score of the three tests. Now, the 30 best riders in the grand prix will go forward to the grand prix special where they will compete for individual medals, starting on a score of zero. Then the 15 best riders in the grand prix special will compete for a separate set of freestyle medals, once again starting on an even footing.

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