Concern that some nations get an ‘easier ride’ to the Olympics
European countries have called for a review of qualifications before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, amid concerns that it is easier to qualify in some parts of the world than others.
British Equestrian Federation (BEF) chief executive Andrew Finding said: “Our challenge is to globalise our sport and increase the number of countries competing, whilst ensuring those competing at the Olympic Games are the best in the sport.”
The concern is that it is dramatically more difficult for European nations to qualify for the Olympics than for those in, for example, South America.
One federation representative, who asked not to be named, said the standard of dressage competition at the Pan American Games in Guadelejara (14-30 October) was of prix st georges level rather than grand prix, but the riders still qualified for the Olympics.
FEI general secretary, Ingmar de Vos of Belgium said members would be surveyed on this subject.
This story was first published in the current issue of H&H (24 November 2011)
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.