Extra changes to young horse World Championships to support welfare and ensure ‘age-appropriate competition’

More changes have been made to the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, owing to “growing focus on horse welfare and the importance of ensuring our young horses are developed and competed in an age-appropriate way”.

H&H reported that the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) had announced changes to the final for five-year-olds at this year’s event; these will now be judged using an optimum time, after concerns were raised about “racing against the clock” in 2025. The federation has also introduced minimum eligibility requirements (MERs) to ensure horses are prepared for the championships.

Now the WBFSH has confirmed that five- and six-year-old horses will take on smaller tracks, in the qualifying rounds and finals of the championships. Courses for five-year-olds will be set at 1.20m, rather than 1.25m as previously, in the first two qualifiers, and 1.25m rather than 1.30m in both rounds of the final.

Six-year-olds will jump 1.30m in the first qualifier rather than 1.35m. The second qualifier stays at 1.35m but the final will also be at 1.35m, rather than 1.40m as previously.

Seven-year-old horses will jump 1.40m in both qualifiers and 1.45m in the final, as previously.

“These updates are the result of constructive discussions between the WBFSH, the FEI and stakeholders from across our sport,” WBFSH general manager Nadine Brandtner told H&H.

“As breeders, riders and organisations responsible for the future of sport horses, we recognise the growing focus on horse welfare and the importance of ensuring that our young horses are developed and competed in an age-appropriate way. The adjustments to the championship format and the introduction of MERs are intended to support the long-term development of young jumping horses, while maintaining the sporting quality and international relevance of the championships.

“We believe it is important that our sport continues to evolve, guided by both experience and responsibility towards the horses in our care.”

The full guidelines, including MERs, are available on the WBFSH website and the updated championship schedule will be published before entries open.

“These updates reflect the ongoing discussions between the WBFSH, FEI and stakeholders across the sport, initiated in response to increasing focus on age-appropriate demands, horse welfare, and greater clarity and consistency in the framework for young horse competitions,” the spokesperson said.

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