BY NADINE BRANDTNER / WBFSH
PHOTOS: FEI/HIPPO FOTO - DIRK CAREMANS
The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH), in cooperation with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), would like to inform riders, owners, studbooks and breeders of important updates to the framework for the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.
These developments follow a series of discussions between key stakeholders across the sport, initiated in response to increasing focus on age-appropriate demands, horse welfare, and the need for greater clarity and consistency in young horse competition pathways.
Introduction of MERS
For the first time, Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) will be introduced for participation in the Championships. MERs already exist for the Dressage World Breeding Championships.
These MERs are designed to:
• Ensure that horses arrive at the Championships with an appropriate level of preparation;
• Support a consistent and transparent qualification pathway, and
• Contribute to the long-term welfare and development of young jumping horses.
As before, the selection of horses remains the responsibility of each NF, in close cooperation with the WBFSH member studbook(s) within their country.
Adjustment to 5yo competition format
An important update has also been made to the competition format for five-year-old horses.
At the Championships, five-year-old classes will now be judged against an optimum time rather than against the clock. This adjustment is intended to:
• Place greater emphasis on correct and educational riding,
• Reduce time pressure in competition, and
• Better support the developmental stage of younger horses.
Looking ahead
These changes reflect a shared commitment by the WBFSH and the FEI to safeguard the future of the sport by aligning competition structures with the needs of young horses, while maintaining the high sporting standards of the Championships.
The full guidelines, including details of the MERs, will be published on the FEI and WBFSH websites. The updated Championship schedule will follow later this year, ahead of the opening of entries.
Adjustments from 2025
Since the FEI and WBFSH have introduced changes to the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses the heights for the five- and six-year-old horses during the competition have been amended.
The heights are now:
• 5-year-old horses
Qualifiers: 1.20m (previously 1.25m)
Final: 1.25m (previously 1.30m)
• 6-year-old horses
Qualifiers: 1.30m (previously 1.35m)
Final: 1.35m (previously 1.40m)...
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