Riders and nations risk being priced out of showjumping

Stakeholders looked at ways to find the right balance between costs and rewards for everyone

- LUCY ELDER

YOUNG riders, breeders and nations risk being priced out of elite showjumping unless the right balance is found between cost and reward.

“Fantasy fees” on riders’ bills at shows, how to balance big differences in prize money, riders’ paying their way into shows (“pay cards”), and costs headlined a debate at the FEI Sports Forum (24–25 April).

Riders, owners, officials and organisers shared ideas for a financially viable future, without top-level jumping becoming a sport only for “billionaire families”.

Entry fees in the US work on a different model to Europe. Inflation and exchange rates mean sums differ between countries – and the FEI is proposing to rebalance the situation. As part of this, the FEI suggested lower-limit prize money at one-star, which would be good for some but there were concerns over the damage it could do in nations where the sport is developing.

Add to that the rising costs and the answer is not simple. FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez told the forum the FEI will create a cross-industry working group to discuss and find ways forward.