Spruce Meadows Rewards Riders in the FEI Rolex Rankings

Calgary, AB – Riders from 17 nations competing at the Spruce Meadows “National” will have the added incentive, and bonus, of competing for coveted FEI ROLEX Ranking Points in a total of ten FEI jumping events. This was not a guarantee leading into the tournament after the FEI had established an exchange rate to the Swiss Franc that had a negative impact on a number of events that previously had been eligible for ROLEX Ranking Points.

“In the past any FEI Spruce Meadows events with prize money of $25,000 or more allowed riders to gain ROLEX Points for world rankings,” said Spruce Meadows president, Linda Southern-Heathcott. “The exchange rate established at the start of 2010 by the FEI effectively relegated a number of top events which we feel was punitive to the riders and the sponsors. The Spruce Meadows Organizing Committee worked with our “Friends of the Meadows” sponsors to make sure each of the effected events would continue to meet the standard in every respect so the riders could continue to gain ROLEX Points.”

Olympic Champions Eric Lamaze (2008) and Rodrigo Pessoa (2004) have been very vocal in their displeasure of the FEI’s exchange rate position and its effect on the riders and the sponsors at Spruce Meadows.

“ROLEX Points are very important to us and to earn them at Spruce Meadows against the best in the world is vital,” said Lamaze. “I compete a lot in Europe against much lighter competition and there are points available only because of a favourable exchange rate given months ago to the Euro. It has not been fair to riders or the Spruce Meadows sponsors to be effected this way.”

“The current system needs to be amended because the prize money carries too much weight,” said Pessoa. “While prize money of course it is very important, so too are factors such as the venue, the quality of the entry and the nature of the competitions. Any ROLEX Points earned at Spruce Meadows are well earned,” added the 3 time World Cup Champion. “Fortunately Spruce Meadows and its sponsors understand and appreciate the issue.”

Through the entire 2010 Spruce Meadows season a total of 16 FEI competitions, that have formerly been ROLEX Ranking events, have the potential to be impacted. Spruce Meadows, working with the FEI and the International Jumping Riders Club will continue to work towards a resolution.