Following the recent announcement regarding the introduction of Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) for the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, the WBFSH would like to inform riders, owners and breeders of additional changes to the Championship format, as communicated by the Fédération Équestre Internationale to its National Federations.
As previously announced, 5-year-old horses will now compete against an optimum time rather than against the clock, reinforcing an educational and welfare-focused approach for younger horses.
In addition, adjustments have been made to the jumping heights for 5- and 6-year-old horses, affecting both the qualifying rounds and finals of the Championships.
A full overview of the format for the Championships can be summarised as follows:
5-year-old horses
- First Qualifier: 1.20m (previously 1.25m) not against the clock
- Second Qualifier: 1.20m (previously 1.25m) not against the clock
- Final First Round: 1.25m (previously 1.30m) All clear rounds proceed to second round
- Final Second Round: 1.25m (previously 1.30m) Against Optimum Time
6-year-old horses
- First Qualifier: 1.30m (previously 1.35m) two phases against the clock
- Second Qualifier: 1.35m (as previously) one round against the clock
- Final: 1.35m (previously 1.40m) one round and a jump-off, both against the clock
7-year-old horses
- First Qualifier: 1.40m (as previously) two phases against the clock
- Second Qualifier: 1.40m (as previously) one round against the clock
- Final: 1.45m (as previously) one round and a jump-off, both against the clock
HOW DO YOU ENTER THE JUMPING WORLD BREEDING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR YOUNG HORSES?
Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) and National Federation Selections:
The WBFSH and FEI have recently announced that minimum eligibility requirements (MERs) must be achieved to qualify for participation. Results for the MERs must be obtained during the calendar year of the Championship and no later than the date of definite entries. Entries may only be submitted by National Federations (NFs).
Only horses registered at birth in WBFSH member studbooks are eligible to participate.
• 5-year-old horses – 3 clear rounds in competitions of at least 115 cm
• 6-year-old horses – 3 clear rounds in competitions of at least 125 cm
• 7-year-old horses – 3 clear rounds in competitions of at least 135 cm
- Where National Federations organise a specified National Selection Procedure (in collaboration with the WBFSH studbooks in the respective countries):
National federations must apply the heights specified above for 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old horses. National events can be organised to hold the National Qualifications.
- Where National Federations do not organise a National Selection Procedure:
Results of any CSIYH or CSI competitions count towards achieving the MERs
- In all cases the National Federation must submit a Record of Results (RoR) confirming the achievement of the MERs together with the definite entries to the Organising Committee.
These updates reflect the ongoing discussions between the WBFSH, FEI and stakeholders across the sport, initiated in response to increasing focus on age-appropriate demands, horse welfare, and greater clarity and consistency in the framework for young horse competitions.
The full Championship guidelines, including the MERs, are available on the FEI and WBFSH websites. The updated Championship schedule will be published later this year, ahead of the opening of entries.
