Britain fails in bid to stay in jumping’s top league
Great Britain was unsuccessful in its bid to remain in the top tier of the Nations Cup show jumping league.
The FEI Tribunal decided not to intervene in the FEI Bureau’s decision of September 17, which meant the British, Belgian and Italian teams were relegated to the Nations Cup Promotional League for the 2010 season.
Initially the FEI said that Britain and Belgium could go back into the top league, but less than a month later changed its mind. The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) appealed the decision.
The relegation decision was taken “in the best interest of the sport,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said at the time.
“This is the very first time I have seen all the fundamentals of our sport joined together in a universal vision. The FEI, the National Federations, riders and organisers are certain that the eight-team format is the only sustainable format ensuring the safe future of our sport.” The BEF has 30 days to appeal the latest decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.