Text © World of Showjumping

The FEI has moved the deadline to achieve the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) for the Olympic Games in Tokyo from 1 June 2020 to 21 June 2021. A list of selected 2021 MER events will be published by the FEI in December 2020. For horse-and-rider combinations that achieved their full MER last year, additional confirming result have been introduced. 

In the FEI document regulating the qualification system for the Tokyo Games, the wording about the additional IF eligibility criteria has been updated as follows per 20th May 2020: 

“To be eligible to participate in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Jumping Competitions and subject to the provisions of paragraphs 8 and 9 below, all Athletes/Horses must achieve, as a combination, the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) at selected Events which take place from 1 January 2019 until (and including) 21 June 2021, (the “MER Deadline”). Athlete/Horse combinations may fulfil the Minimum Eligibility Requirements according to any one of the provisions listed under paragraphs 1 – 5 below.”

As to the selected MER events, the qualification system’s art. 7.1 now reads: 

“7.1 The list of selected 2019 MER Events (as defined in the Appendix) will be published in December 2018, the 2020 MER Events* will be published in December 2019 and the 2021 MER Events will be published in December 2020. No addition of Events will be accepted after publication of the respective calendars of selected Events for 2019, and 2021. Replacement in case of cancellation of Event for force majeure reasons will be reviewed on a case to case basis. 

*Taking into account the impact of Covid-19 on the FEI Calendar in 2020, a MER (or partial MER) can be achieved at any indoor or outdoor FEI Event at the relevant level (as per paragraphs 2 - 4 above) in 2020 (i.e. between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 (inclusive)).”

A number of additional provisions related to the postponement of the Olympic Games have also been added to the qualification system document. The new regulations read as follows: 

“8. Additional Provisions related to the Postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021 

8.1 An Athlete/Horse combination that has achieved the full MER only during the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 (inclusive) must achieve an additional confirming result (the “Confirmation Result”) according to the conditions set out in paragraph 9 below during the period 1 January 2020 – 21 June 2021. 

8.2 An Athlete/Horse combination that has achieved the full MER during the period 1 January 2020 – 21 June 2021 does not need to achieve a Confirmation Result. 

8.3 An Athlete/Horse combination that has achieved a partial MER during the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 must complete their MER by the MER Deadline (21 June 2021). Such Athlete/Horse combination does not need to achieve a Confirmation Result. 

8.4 An Athlete/Horse combination that has not achieved any MER (either full or partial) during the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 must achieve their MER by the MER Deadline (21 June 2021). Such Athlete/Horse combination does not need to achieve a Confirmation Result.”

“9. Confirmation Result Criteria 

9.1 Athlete/Horse combinations may achieve the Confirmation Result according to any one of the provisions listed under paragraphs A - C below. The requirement to obtain a Confirmation Result only applies to those Athlete/Horse combinations that had achieved their full MER on or before 31 December 

2019. The Confirmation Result must be achieved during the period 1 January 2020 – 21 June 2021 and can be achieved at any FEI Event at the relevant level during that period as per the requirements below. 

A. FEI World CupTM Jumping Competitions 

(i)  Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first round of a FEI World CupTM Competition at any CSI1*-W, CSI2*-W, CSI3*-W (indoor or outdoor) or at any CSIO3*-W outdoor Event with a Score of zero penalties. 

(ii)  Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first round of an FEI World CupTM Competition at any CSI4*-W Event (indoor or outdoor) or at any CSIO4*-W outdoor Event with a Score of not more than a total Score of eight (8) penalties. 

(iii)  Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first round of an FEI World CupTM Competition at any CSI5*-W Event (indoor or outdoor) or at any CSIO5*-W outdoor Event with a Score of not more than twelve (12) penalties. 

B. Grand Prix Competitions at CSIs and CSIOs 

(i) Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first round of a Grand Prix Competition at any CSI3* Event (indoor or outdoor) or at any CSIO3* outdoor Event with a Score of zero penalties. 

(ii) Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first round of a Grand Prix Competition at any CSI4* Event (indoor or outdoor) or at any CSIO4* outdoor Event with a Score of not more than eight (8) penalties. 

(iii) Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first round of a Grand Prix Competition at any CSI5* Event (indoor or outdoor) or at any CSIO5* outdoor Event with a Score of not more than twelve (12) penalties. 

C. Nations Cup Competitions at CSIOs 

(i)  Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first or second round of a Nations Cup Competition at any CSIO3* or CSIO4* outdoor Event with a score of not more than eight (8) penalties in the first round or four (4) penalties in the second round. 

(ii)  Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first or second round of a Nations Cup Competition at any CSIO5* outdoor Event with a Score of not more than twelve (12) penalties. 

NFs unable to send complete teams to any of the above mentioned CSIOs will be allowed to enter individuals who will be allowed to compete hors-concours in the Nations Cup Competition.”

The new entries deadline for the Olympic Games is set to 5th July 2021. 

Click here to access the full document and read all the updates.