The FEI has today announced that it has made changes to the existing rules regarding maternity leave, in order to introduce further flexibility and give athletes the option of adapting the duration of their maternity leave to their individual situation. 

The previous minimum period for a medical and maternity leave, which were included in the ranking rules for jumping, dressage, and driving, was six months and the maximum period twelve months. 

Germany's Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl have been among the top-level riders who have called for a change in the rules, with Meyer Zimmermann saying to World of Showjumping that: "We live in different times now; women want to make their own decisions when it comes to their careers. We should not be punished if we want to return to competition earlier than six months after going out on maternity leave.”

In a press release, the FEI detailed the rule change: "Following various opinions expressed by the riders who wished to have the flexibility to return to competition from maternity leave earlier than six months, the Board took the decision to shorten the minimum period to three months, without changing the maximum period, which remains 12 months. In addition, athletes will now have the possibility to come back earlier than originally indicated when they initially requested the leave. To do so, they will need to give a four-week notice for Dressage and Driving. For Jumping, a 10-week notice is required if riders want to be eligible to receive an invitation under the FEI Online Invitation System, but only four weeks if the athlete intends to participate in the event further to another kind of invitation, such as an OC invitation or a wildcard."

“It is good news that the Board has allowed for greater flexibility regarding maternity leave,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said in the press release. “The FEI was one of the first international sports organisations to introduce provisions for maternity leave in April 2010 and we remain committed to protecting the welfare of our athletes. These rules had been first put in place for Jumping and were gradually extended to Dressage and Driving. This had been done in order to allow athletes, who have had a baby, not to lose all their Rankings points while off the circuit. 

“The FEI has listened to the riders who have expressed the desire to have the option of returning to competition earlier than six months and the FEI Board is very much in favour of supporting athletes wishing to achieve the best possible balance between family life and a high level sports career. The Ranking Rules in all the FEI disciplines are living documents and we will keep on reviewing the maternity and medical leave provisions to make sure they remain relevant and fair.” 

The relevant changes to the wording of the respective ranking rules will be published in the jumping, dressage, and driving rules sections on the FEI website. 

The provisions for medical leave remain unchanged, the minimum period being six months and the maximum period 12 months.