The FEI has decided to suspend their 2017 CSI Invitation Rules at all star level until further notice. The CSI Invitation Rules that were in effect prior to 1 January 2017 will be applied in the period where the 2017-rules will be reviewed by the Jumping Committee.
FEI's reversal was announced following concerns raised both during and after this year's FEI Sports Forum. “The FEI Bureau has agreed that the Jumping Committee is to conduct a further review of the CSI Invitation Rules in order to find a sustainable solution that is acceptable to National Federations and stakeholders,” stated an FEI spokesperson.
The 2017 CSI Invitation Rules, introduced for this season, were meant to be part of a bigger picture with an online invitation system running alongside the rules. The Annex V of the Jumping Rules (CSI Invitation Rules), voted in at the FEI General Assembly in Tokyo last November reads: “For all Events taking place as of 4 July 2017 or as of another date to be established by the FEI and communicated to all parties with sufficient prior written notice, the CSI Invitation Rules will be managed through an online invitation system.” However, the online invitation system is in development and will be fully operational first as of 1 January 2018.
“The review will be done in close cooperation with National Federations and the relevant stakeholders in order to come up with solutions that have a large consensus. Any proposal must not endorse pay cards and the system must always ensure fair opportunities for our athletes and maintain the health of our sport,” states the FEI.
Furthermore, the CSI/CSIO requirements will also be reviewed alongside the 2017 CSI Invitation Rules – as agreed on at the FEI Sports Forum in April.
Source: FEI // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson