A new eventing structure, the partial removal of collective marks in dressage, and a phased ban on certain boots for showjumping are among the influential changes to be introduced to international competitions.
Following the FEI general assembly (GA) in Montevideo, Uruguay, (18-21 November) the GA signed off the implementation of a new eventing competition structure in 2019.
The structure includes the Olympic and World Equestrian Games being recatogorised as five-star long, and CCI4* as five-star major.
CCI3* and CIC3* will be renamed four-star long and short respectively.
Changes to categorisations continue through the levels down to a new introductory level. FEI competitions at the new 1.05M level will be held during the 2018 season. This will become one-star in 2019.
“The new competition structure has adapted to the current global level of the sport, supporting the implementation of the Olympic strategy,” said an FEI spokesman.
“It is also part of the continued effort to address risk management and the cost effectiveness of the discipline together with encouraging the development of the number of nations participating in eventing.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The dressage coefficient will also be removed as of 1 January 2018.
The FEI said this was to address “risk management issues through rebalancing the importance of cross-country skills”.
From the cutest mini ponies to an ex-racehorse doing his bit for charity, these are the equine stars who have
Meanwhile in showjumping, the GA voted on the phased implementation of a rule mandating that hind boots must only be used for protective purposes. The rule will begin to be enforced in 2019.
Under these rules, for regular CSI5* shows, 60% of riders must come from the Longines ranking list, 20% must be selected by the host national federation and 20% are made up of invitations by the organising committee.
For more information and analysis on these changes and further plans for equestrian sport following the GA, don’t miss next week’s H&H magazine, out Thursday 30 November
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.
