Following consultation with National Federations, riders and event organizers, the FEI Bureau decided that Great Britain and Belgium will both be relegated from the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™. The two teams finished the 2009 season in eighth place on equal points ahead of the Italians, who are also relegated.

The two highest-placed teams in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ Promotional League Final, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain, on September 20, will be promoted to the FEI Nations Cup™ Top League for the 2010 season. The procedure for next year will be the relegation of three teams and the promotion of two teams in order to reduce the number of teams to eight in 2011.

“This decision was taken in the best interest of the sport,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said. “This is the very first time I have seen all the elements of our sport joined together in a common vision. The FEI, the National Federations, riders and organizers are convinced that the eight-team format is the only sustainable format ensuring the safe future of our sport.”