March 11, 2010

Organisers of the New Zealand and Australian World Cup eventing qualifiers say a change in the event's format has meant it will be more equitable for Australasian-based riders.

The FEI announced this week a new format for the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing series. Riders will now be competing for a top 15 place in the overall standings to take home a share of the $US180,000 prize pool on offer, rather than having to travel to Europe to compete in the final. Riders are allowed to compete in as many qualifiers as they like, but only the best two results will count towards the final ranking.

A jubilant Megan Jones after her Kihikihi victory last year. © Timeless Images Photography

Event organising committees of the New Zealand and Australian rounds of the HSBC FEI World Cup eventing qualifiers have welcomed the announcement, saying it will make the series far more equitable and attractive to Australia and New Zealand riders. In the previous years riders and their horses would have had to travel to Europe to compete in the final and a chance for the major prizes.

Previously, riders earned points which earned them a place in the final, but should a rider choose not to compete, their national federation could nominate another rider to take their place. Last year, Mark Todd represented New Zealand at the final, despite not having any points in the series.

Megan Jones, who won both the New Zealand and Australian qualifiers last year, did not go to the final in Poland due to lengthy quarantine requirements. If this new system had been applied then, Jones would have placed third overall (eight points behind the overall winner), and received a $US23,000 prize, in addition to the significant prize money she collected at Kihikihi and Sydney, Sydney Event Director Rose Read said.

Bruce Bason, Kihikihi Event Director, said the new format means that riders who place well at two qualifiers - such as Kihikihi in New Zealand (April 2-4) and Sydney in Australia (May 7-9) have a good chance of collecting a share of the significant prize pool.

"We expect that the new format will see riders on both sides of the Tasman travel to Kihikihi and Sydney in order to secure maximum points and increase their chances of being in the top 15," he said.

Kiwi and Aussie riders who travel across the Tasman to compete at either Kihikihi or Sydney will receive assistance with local travel, stabling and accommodation costs during by each event organising committee.