World of Showjumping
World of ShowjumpingWorld of Showjumping
Menu

Fair play – or far from it?

Friday, 14 February 2020
Rankings

 

“To enjoy the fruits of success, it is not enough to win. Triumph must be measured by absolute fair means, honesty and just play.” – International Fair Play Committee

 

***

 

While fair play is protected by a number of provisions, such as the FEI General Regulations article 100 nr. 1 or the Fundamental Principles of Olympism art. 4 in the Olympic Charter, it seems it has come short – at least if judged by the three latest world rankings. 

World ranking no. 227, 228 and 229 are all messengers of some massive climbs, and the riders who have made them have in common that they competed at a string of FEI-approved CSI2* shows at two particular venues in France and Syria. 

One rider participating climbed 1611 spots up on the world ranking in one month, one rider 714 spots up in two months and another 650 spots up in two months – after earning full points in competitions with between five to nine riders.

One rider has earned as many as 640 world ranking points in one month, another 570, another 490. In comparison, world no. one Steve Guerdat earned all together 525 points in October, November and December 2019. In two of his best months in 2019, world no. two Martin Fuchs earned 420 and 360 points respectively – in August 2019 when he became European Champion and in December 2019 when he won the CSI5* World Cup in London and the CSI5* Grand Prix in Geneva. 

When Simone Blum became World Champion in Tryon in 2018, she was awarded with 680 points – forty points more than a rider that competed in ten world ranking Group C competitions and two world ranking Group D competitions at a repetition of CSI2* shows during December 2019. 

On the other side of the scale, an up-and-coming U25 rider like Harry Allen earned a total of 405 points throughout the entire 2019.

Some riders competing at these particular CSI2* events have given their total amount of points such a boost that they have made their way into the Top 100 on the world ranking or even the Top 10 on the U25 ranking. 

The world ranking is important for a number of reasons, one of them being that it decides which shows riders are invited to. According to the new CSI Invitation Rules that entered into force earlier this month, a certain percentage of the riders must be invited in descending order of the world ranking (CSI5*: 60 %, CSI4: 50% and CSI3*: 40%). The higher the star-level of the show, the more prize money can be earned – making it more interesting not only for the riders, but also for the horse owners. 

The world ranking list is produced by the FEI, that also governs it. However, adding to the complexity, the International Jumping Riders Club owns the formula to the world ranking. The Club has followed the last months’ developments closely, and has already requested that the FEI intervenes to “ensure fair play and the fair development of jumping events”. 

IJRC President Kevin Staut has also said the Club “is considering suggesting some changes in order to avoid a possible manipulation of the list”. 

These particular CSI2* events have also served as major point providers for some of the athletes topping their respective groups on the final 2019 Olympic rankings. They played a key role in three riders' swift ascent to the top of their groups' Olympic rankings. The NOCs of the two highest ranked athletes from these groups will be qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo with one individual quota place each.

Five competitors, fifty world ranking points

From the middle of December until January 26th 2020, there were seven weekends of CSI2* events at the same venue in France. Each event had three world ranking Group D classes per weekend, two of which were FEI-approved additions after the deadline for definite entries – with the exception of one schedule where the additions were made four days before the date of definite entries (24.12.2019). After January, the shows have kept on running – but with one ranking class per weekend, the CSI2* Grand Prix.

Although the FEI-approved schedules list a total of twenty athletes to be invited, each of the 21 ranking classes has had between five to nine competitors. As the sixteen best in a world ranking Group D competition earn points, on a scale from 50 down to 5, all athletes in the ranking classes at this particular event have received points regardless of their result – except in cases where the horse-and-rider combination has been eliminated or has retired. 

Whereas the points for the Olympic ranking follow a scale and get reduced in accordance with the number of competitors that finish the class, the world ranking has no similar system.

As a result, athletes can earn full points despite competing against a handful of other riders. Riders competing at the CSI2* events at the particular venue in France have been able to earn world ranking points full out with scores as low as 28 penalties. 

Twenty-four world ranking classes in nine weeks 

At a venue in war-raged Syria – a country ranked as no. 162 out of 163 on the Global Peace Index – there were nine weekends of CSI2* shows between October 24th 2019 to the end of the year. In total there were 18 world ranking Group C competitions and six Group D competitions. 

Although the FEI approved schedules list a total of hundred athletes to be invited, each of the 24 ranking competitions has had around 20 riders in them – some of them competing with two or even three horses in each class.

Just like in the world ranking Group D competitions, the sixteen best riders in a world ranking Group C competition earn points – on a scale from 80 down to 5. This has resulted in the majority of athletes in the ranking classes at this particular venue receiving points regardless of their result. 

With scores going as low as 28 penalties, riders have still been able to earn world ranking points full out.

 


Below are examples on some of the climbs that have been made on the world ranking by riders participating at these events:


 

Rider A

Rider A has collected 775 of 800 counting points at the seven CSI2* shows at the venue in France between December 13th 2019 until January 26th 2020, and moved 714 spots up on the world ranking in two months. Apart from three other counting results from different events (a total of 25 points), all of Rider A’s ranking points have been earned at shows at this particular venue.

 

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider A (until December 2019)

World ranking points collected by Rider A

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 9 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 2 out of 9 / 45 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 7 out of 9 / 20 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 6 out of 7 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 8 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-8 faults / rank 6 out of 8 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 3 out of 5 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 5 / 40 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 5/ 40 points

325 points

 

January 2020

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 5 out of 7 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 7 / 45 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 7 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 6 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 5 faults / rank 5 out of 6 / 30 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 5 faults / rank 4 out of 6 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 7 out of 7 / 20 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 7 / 45 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 6 out of 6 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 6 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 6 / 45 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 5 / 50 points

450 points

 


 

Rider B 

Rider B has collected 505 of 688 counting points at five of the seven CSI2* shows at the venue in France between December 13th 2019 until January 26th 2020, and moved 650 spots up on the world ranking in two months.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider B (until December 2019)

World ranking points collected by Rider B

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 12 faults / rank 7 out of 9 / 20 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 17 faults / rank 7 out of 9 / 20 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 9 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 7 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 16 faults / rank 8 out of 8 / 15 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 5 out of 8 / 30 points

180 points

 

January 2020

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 7 out of 7 / 20 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 7 / 35 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 7 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 7 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 12 faults / rank 7 out of 7 / 20 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 6 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 6 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 16 faults / rank 6 out of 6 / 25 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 5 / 45 points

325 points

 


 

Rider C 

Rider C has collected 805 of 1100 counting points at the seven CSI2* shows at the venue in France between December 13th 2019 until January 26th 2020, and moved 226 spots up on the world ranking in two months and into the Top 200.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider C (until January 2020)

World ranking points collected by Rider C

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 13 faults / rank 8 out of 9 / 15 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 16 faults / rank 6 out of 9 / 25 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-4 faults / rank 3 out of 9 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 5 faults / rank 4 out of 7 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 6 out of 8 / 25 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 8 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 12 faults / rank 4 out of 5 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 5 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 2 out of 5 / 45 points

315 points

 

January 2020

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 7 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 7 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 5 out of 7 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 5 out of 6 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 6 / 40 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 12 faults / rank 5 out of 6 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 7 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 7 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 5 out of 6 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 6 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 1 out of 6 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 5 / 35 points

490 points

 

 


 

Rider D

Rider D has collected 575 of 745 counting points at six of the seven CSI2* shows at the venue in France between December 13th 2019 until January 26th 2020, and moved 221 spots up on the world ranking in two months. Apart from one other counting result from a different event (25 points), all of Rider D’s ranking points have been earned at shows at this particular venue between March 2019-February 2020.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider D (until January 2020)

World ranking points collected by Rider D

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 9 faults / rank 6 out of 9 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 13 faults / rank 5 out of 9 / 30 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 14 faults / rank 9 out of 9 / 10 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 5 out of 7 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 8 / 40 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 7 out of 8 / 20 points

155 points

 

January 2020

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 7 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 5 out of 7 / 30 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 1 faults / rank 4 out of 7 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 6 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 6 / 45 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 5 faults / rank 3 out of 6 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 6 out of 7 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 5 out of 7 / 30 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 6 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 16 faults / rank 6 out of 6 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 5 out of 6 / 30 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 6 faults / rank 5 out of 5 / 30 points

420 points

 


 

Rider E: 

Rider E has collected 250 of 300 counting points at four of the seven CSI2* shows at the venue in France in January 2020, and moved 1611 spots up on the world ranking in one month. All of Rider E’s ranking points have been earned at shows at this particular venue between March 2019-February 2020.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider E (until January 2020)

World ranking points collected by Rider E

January 2020

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 7 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 16 faults / rank 7 out of 7 / 20 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 6 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 12 faults / rank 6 out of 6 / 25 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 5 out of 7 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 4 out of 7 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 5 out of 6 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 4 out of 6 / 35 points

250 points

 


 

Rider F 

Rider F has collected 360 of 735 counting points at three of the seven CSI2* shows at the venue in France in December 2019, and moved 194 spots up on the world ranking in one month

Updated FEI world ranking statistics for Rider F are not available.

World ranking points collected by Rider F

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 8 faults / rank 5 out of 9 / 30 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 2 faults / rank 1 out of 9 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 9 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 1 fault / rank 3 out of 7 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 8 / 45 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 8 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0 faults / rank 2 out of 5 / 45 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 5 faults / rank 4 out of 5 / 35 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group D / 7 faults / rank 4 out of 5 / 35 points

360 points

 


 

Rider G 

Rider G has collected 1115 of 1590 counting points at the CSI2* shows at the venue in Syria between October 24th-December 30th 2019, and moved 190 spots up on the world ranking in three months and into the Top 100.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider G (until December 2019)

World ranking points collected by Rider G

October 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 20 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 4 faults / rank 7 out of 20 / 40 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 3 out of 21 / 60 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 21 / 55 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-RET / rank 6 out of 21 / 45 points

250 points

 

November 2019

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 25 / 70 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 4-0 faults / rank 4 out of 22 / 55 points 

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 21 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 5 out of 23 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 19 / 70 points

295 points

 

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 28 / 55 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C/ 4-4 faults / rank 5 out of 22 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 21 / 80 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 18 / 70 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 22 / 80 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 5 out of 18 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 20 / 80 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 19 / 80 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 10 out of 19 / 25 points

570 points

 


 

Rider H 

Rider H has collected 1145 of 1710 counting points at the CSI2* shows at the venue in Syria between October 24th-December 30th 2019, and moved 198 spots up on the world ranking in three months and into the Top 100.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider H (until January 2020)

World ranking points collected by Rider H

October 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 20 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 4 faults / rank 3 out of 20 / 60 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 4 faults / rank 7 out of 21 / 40 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 21 / 50 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 21 / 80 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 21 / 80 points

345 points 

 

November 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 23 / 35 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 25 / 80 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 22 / 70 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 7 out of 23 / 40 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 19 / 80 points

305 points

 

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 3 out of 28 / 60 points

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 22 / 50 points

1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 18 / 55 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 22 / 70 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 18 / 80 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 4 out of 20 / 55 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 19 / 70 points

1.45m Ranking Group C / 4-0 faults / rank 4 out of 19 / 55 points

495 points

 


 

Rider I

Rider I has collected 1160 of 1383 counting points at the CSI2* shows at the venue in Syria between October 24th-December 30th 2019, and moved 687 spots up on the world ranking in three months and into the Top 200.

Available FEI world ranking statistics for Rider I (until January 2020)

World ranking points collected by Rider I

October 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 3 out of 20 / 40 points
1.45m Ranking Group C / 8 faults / rank 10 out of 20 / 25 points 
1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-8 faults / rank 4 out of 21 / 55 points 
1.45m Ranking Group D / 4 faults / rank 5 out of 21 / 30 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 7 out of 21 / 40 points 
1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 2 out of 21 / 70 points 

260 points

 

November 2020

1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 3 out of 25 / 60 points 
1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 22/ 80 points 
1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-4 faults / rank 3 out of 21/ 40 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 6 out of 23/ 45 points 
1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 4-0 faults / rank 8 out of 19/ 35 points 

260 points
 

December 2019

1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 22/ 50 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 7 out of 28/ 40 points 
1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 22/ 80 points 
1.45m Ranking Group D / 0-8 faults / rank 6 out of 22/ 25 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 7 out of 21/ 40 points 
1.45m GP Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 18/  80 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 9 out of 22/ 30 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 4 out of 18/ 55 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 3 out of 20/ 60 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-4 faults / rank 7 out of 19/ 40 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 3 out of 19/ 60 points 
1.45m Ranking Group C / 0-0 faults / rank 1 out of 19/ 80 points 

640 points

 


 

 

No reproduction without permission, copyright © World of Showjumping



This photo has been added to your cart !

Your shopping cart »
This website is using cookies for statistics, site optimization and retargeting purposes. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website. Read more here.