Maternity Leave rule introduced for Dressage World Rankings effective 2019

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, July 5, 2018–A change in dressage world ranking rules to enable riders–male and female–on maternity leave from competition to keep some points will be implemented by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) beginning next year.

National federations were advised Thursday of the rule change to deal with an issue that has become more prominent in recent years in many sports. Rankings are important as a high enough place can determine where a combination is drawn to start in a competition, early or late, the latter case considered better. Plus, high rankings can have benefits for sponsorships and other vital support.

The new rule: “Athletes may request a maternity leave or a medical leave providing the pregnancy/medical condition is certified in writing by a medical doctor; requests for maternity/medical leave must be addressed to the FEI Dressage Director. During the period which an Athlete has officially ceased to compete due to pregnancy or a medical condition, he/she will retain 50% of the Dressage World Rankings points earned from the corresponding month of the preceding year until he/she recommences competing internationally.

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