Clarification of the Awarding of Dressage MERs for the FEI World Championships 2022

In light of recent events, Equestrian Australia (EA) wishes to clarify the requirements in place for dressage combinations based in Australia and New Zealand to secure their Minimum Eligibility requirements (MER) for the FEI World Championships 2022.

"In order to qualify for participation at the 2022 FEI Dressage World Championship, athletes and horses must have attained (as a combination) a result of at least 66% attributed by the Ground Jury and by any two different FEI 5* Dressage Judges, of a nationality other than that of the rider, in a Grand Prix and/or Short Grand Prix, at two different CDI3*/CDI4*/CDI5*/CDI-W or CDIO events, from 1st January 2021 until the date of nominated entries." 

Due to Covid restrictions, Australia and New Zealand both faced the probability that foreign 5* judges would not be available to adjudicate at qualification events, and there was no certainty of restrictions lifting prior to the closing of the qualification period.  

EA and the FEI were very much aware of the impact this would have on the Australian and New Zealand based riders. As a result, the FEI Board agreed on the behest of EA and Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ), to allow a special exemption using the Judges Supervisory Panel (JSP) for events held in Australia and New Zealand, and passed a resolution in October 2021 to this effect.

The conditions were to be as follows:

• 2 members of the JSP appointed by the FEI are to adjudicate
• No marks are to be modified
• Access to streaming video and live scoring to be provided

In this specific instance, the role of the JSP members is to confirm that the results are valid to count as MERs for the FEI World Championships 2022, provided the minimum % score is attained, and that the level of the competing combinations is up to the standards required for World Championships.

EA is grateful to the FEI for allowing our riders the opportunity to be able to qualify for the FEI World Championships 2022 on home soil.