Proposals for Super League reform under discussion

By Michael Slavin

Proposals for a radical reform of the five-year-old Super League were put forward following the April meeting of the International Equestrian Federation's show jumping committee. These are now being studied by members of the FEI bureau. They will then be forwarded to all affiliated federations, including our own HSI. It is hoped that the proposals will be ready to be voted on at the general assembly of the ruling body to be held in Buenos Aires next November.

According to a spokesperson at the FEI in Lausanne, the aim is to have greater integration of all Nations Cups run around the world while having a Super League at the top end of the overall series of events.

It is proposed to limit the Super League to just five or six shows instead of the present eight. This means that all eight venues - such as Dublin - will come under greater scrutiny in the run-up to decision time. However, it does appear as if Dublin should not be in any great danger of loosing its Super League status. After all, out of the eight shows now included, Ireland's CSIO is topped only by Rome in terms of the number of Nations Cups it has hosted down the years. Rome has 77 to its credit since 1911 and Dublin 72 since 1926. Aachen is next with 64 since 1929.

Of course, ground conditions, the opinion of riders, and the prize fund will all be taken into consideration. On this last score, Dublin's €850,000 in prize money is second only to Aachen.

One of the proposals is for Super League shows to have prize funds matching events like the Global Champions Tour. It is hoped that this will make participation on Nations Cup teams more attractive to the world's top-earning riders. It is envisaged that the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix at Super League shows would both have a prize fund of €300,000.

In terms of team participation, it is proposed to increase the number from the present eight to 10 with only the best six after the first round going through to the second. It is certain that the top seven countries at the end of this year's Super League will go through but just how the other three will be selected is still unclear. There will be much discussion on these changes prior to the final vote in Buenos Aires next November.