Hickstead is “vastly dissatisfied” to have ignored out at the probability to be a part of the made over Countries Cup collection.
The FEI introduced this yr it was once to rename the flagship showjumping collection and run it in a brand new structure. Ultimate month, the FEI mentioned it had approved bids from occasions to run 5 qualifiers and a last within the Longines League of Countries.
It has showed nowadays (1 August) that there might be 4 qualifiers and a last from subsequent yr, and that neither Hickstead nor Dublin is at the listing.
“Clearly we’re vastly dissatisfied, with the FEI’s resolution and how it’s been treated, after 50 years of website hosting Britain’s Countries Cup, and after this kind of magnificent win at Hickstead ultimate week,” Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn advised H&H.
“We’re nonetheless willing to have the Countries Cup, and we have the liberty to discover different sponsors.”
Lizzie added: “We’re lucky to have many unswerving supporters, and the backing of our governing our bodies and stakeholders hasn’t ever been extra important. Our problem now could be that we’ve got simply weeks to make a very powerful selections concerning the time table for subsequent yr’s displays, and to protected a brand new sponsorship deal.”
For the primary seasons, from 2024 to 2027, the qualifiers might be held at St Gallen, Switzerland, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Ocala, US. The overall might be in Barcelona, Spain. The FEI board unanimously showed the verdict the day prior to this.
“The allocations had been made additional to a bid procedure, which started on 22 Would possibly, with intensive session between the FEI, the bidding organisers and their nationwide federations according to the allocation of FEI named occasions coverage,” an FEI spokesman mentioned.
FEI president Ingmar de Vos mentioned it was once a “historical resolution for the way forward for equestrian recreation”.
“This collection is ready inspiring folks and countries across the core values of our recreation – camaraderie, crew spirit, horsemanship and excellence – and for over a century it has performed a useful function within the construction of equestrian globally.
“We had been very happy with the massive selection of organisers desperate to host a Longines League of Countries match within the coming seasons.
“We undertook the duty of settling on the occasions with nice accountability and I imagine we’ve got made a troublesome however honest selection, putting a just right steadiness between continuity and evolution. This contemporary and thrilling collection offers us the chance to show the perfect of crew equestrian recreation to huge audiences in key territories and we’re having a look ahead to running intently with those organisers to proceed the Countries Cup legacy and encourage long run generations of equestrians.”
Mr de Vos mentioned there have been tough selections to be made owing to the selection of bids submitted to host the collection, and thanked organisers for website hosting the contest previously.
“The board allotted 4 qualifiers for this world collection in 3 areas – two in Europe, one in North The us, and one within the Center East,” FEI secretary basic Sabrina Ibáñez mentioned.
“Even though we firstly deliberate to have 5 qualifiers, we had been conscious that subsequent yr might be specifically busy with the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games happening from 26 July to 11 August. Having 4 qualifiers helps to keep the calendar affordable and lets in athletes, horses, and cooks d’équipe to regulate horsepower and also have sufficient time to coach, compete, and get ready for the Olympic Video games.
“Right through the inaugural Longines League of Countries season in 2024, we can overview the brand new idea and along side Longines and the FEI leaping committee, we can paintings against including a 5th qualifier within the following seasons.”
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Credit score: Elli Birch/Boots And Hooves
Credit score: Elli Birch/Boots And Hooves
Credit score: Long run
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