FEI--is CIC/CCI distinction still relevant?

[vineyridge]

This is for a possible 2013 rules change. Thanks to JER on COTH for finding and posting it.

This issue has been much discussed inside and outside the Eventing Committee and it has become apparent that with the current evolution of the sport after the deletion of the Steeple-Chase and roads and tracks maintaining a clear difference between the two formats (CIC-CCI) is becoming increasingly difficult.

Hence the questions:

 Is it still relevant for the international sport of Eventing to keep two different competition formats?

 If we retain the two different competition formats should there be a clearer difference between the formats?

 Is the flexibility we currently have with the two formats a positive attribute and if so how do we ensure that the two formats remain different?

 Does having the two formats create confusion around the different rules?

They will accept rider comments on this issue until July 18th of this year.

The Committee welcomes any other topics proposed by NFs, Riders, Officials, Organizers or others that could be included for discussion point at the Open Forums.

It would be appreciated if these topics proposed could be of general interest and/or related to the 2013 Rules revision to all involved. We look forward to reading your comments and thank you for forwarding your comments and proposals by 18 July 2011 addressed to the FEI Eventing Department, Catrin Norinder (catrin.norinder@fei.org)

Whole document is HERE: http://www.fei.org/sites/default/fi..._process_for_2013_Eventing_Rules_revision.pdf

Looks like they are thinking of getting rid of the CIC, but who knows what will come out of the discussions.
Re: traditional order of tests. The Germans have said they would prefer having XC on Sunday. They think that since XC should be the high point, it should be on the last day. Of course, that means that the second jog would be unnecessary; I would expect that the number of lame horses at home on Monday might surprise all of us. Would people be more or less likely to pound XC if the horse were going directly home?

Sounds as if one could put the dressage coefficient before the Rules people also, but it isn't on the official agenda.

 

[Rosiefan]

I've just sent a message saying I don't much mind about CIC v CCI but asking why the score for the dressage phase is multiplied by 1.5 and asking what it is supposed to achieve as I think all 3 phases should have the same weight in the final result. Not holding my breath on a reply

 

[Lolo]

I'm very numpty and low down on the eventing know-how, but the idea of having the XC on the last day is very against what 3 day eventing is about. The SJ to me is all about how your horse responds to a test of accuracy and precision over big fences after the test of stamina the day before.

CICs in Britain seem less point-ful (lol) than abroad, but I can see why they're important to keep an even standard across the board.

ETA- also want the 1.5 multiplier to go away! The test is already heavily towards the horses who are exceptional in their flatwork (no bad thing) but the XC machines of the past are being left behind by the double whammy.

 

[tigers_eye]

I am still not entirely sure about doing away with the 1.5 multiplier, it will mean even more closely grouped people in the 50's, and makes 1 show-jump incredibly expensive.

I think if you do away with the CIC then you are asking for the distances of the CCI to be reduced even further, as I for one would have found going round a CCI*** from a CCI** a big leap. There is no such thing as an Advanced here, so it is nice to learn whether you and your horse can cope with the dimensions of 3* minus a huge endurance factor the first few times!

I do think the CCI should definitely keep the sj last, and I do think just to keep them distinct CICs should always have xc last.

 

[LEC]

As a avid watcher I think the atmosphere does not even compare at CIC and CCI. All that tension watching the showjumping and seeing if a fence down will change the order. Its also about management of your horse after the endurance factor and how strong they come out the next day.

At Hong Kong there was some hideous riding on the xc even from amazing riders like WFP and Andrew Nicholson once the time was found to be really tight. I think this horrid sight could become more familiar if they change the format order. I would hate to see horses being run into the ground. At the moment at a CIC there is always a bigger target so you do not tend to get it.

I hate how CIC can go on for 4 days as Barbury did last year. I understand that sheer quantities of entries can prohibit this but I think all efforts should be made to make it a one day where possible.

I also think CIC do have a place as they are a certain standard and many countries are not as lucky as the UK to have advanced and intermediate events of such a high quality. But I would be horrified if we lost CCI and if they changed the order of formats.

 

[MegaBeast]

As said above I think it would be a real shame if the xc and sj were swapped around as defeats the whole objective of eventing. Correct me if I'm wrong but my assumption has always been that at the lower levels they only run the sj first to ensure you're safe to go xc (and I guess logistics of it being in one day) whereas surely the whole point of the sj being after the xc is to check the horse is sound and fit enough to pick it's feet up over the poles the following day.

Whilst can see the argument for and against amalgamating the two it would be a great shame for it to be at the cost of a shortened CCI and the loss of the real meaning of eventing.

 

[Rosiefan]

One of the questions asked in the document is

- Is the tradition order of tests important or not – does the Dressage, Cross-Country, Jumping order of tests represent eventing and does it have any influence on the public perception of “horse welfare” ?

I would agree with those who say it may affect horse welfare to have the XC as the last test.

 

[Horsemad12]

I think we should still keep both but the CIC should run (as far as possible) as a one day event as was (I think) the orginal intention. This would then help to distinguish between the two.

I agree the SJ should always be last at these events.