[Mozart]

I have read in a horse mag that there is a movement afoot by some FEI jumper riders to try to convince the FEI to freeze their world rankings while they are pregnant and not competing.

Argument being, rankings are very important as riders are invited to some competitions based on their rankings and if they slip off the leader board while not competing they can't get invited and hence have a harder time getting back on the rankings, getting rides, sponsorships, etc.

This is the positon of a number of really top female riders including Malin Baryard, Jessica Kurten and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

It is an interesting argument and one I have some sympathy for.

Opinions?

[Rye]

hmmmmm.....assuming that reproduction is a choice, I don't see how it is fair to the rest to hold their "#3" or whatever position in the official rankings while they are off playing mommy.

I could see a fair compromise to recognize their ranking pre-maternity for the purposes of invitations (but not to shows where you have to have a # of qualified rides...ie World Cup in that particular year.)

[VarsityHero4]

I don't think rankings should be frozen like that. If you're not riding at that level (or at all) for a while it's understood that you will probably lose a certain level of finesse that makes you successful at the FEI level. Therefore, if you're say 15th in the rankings and you have a baby I don't think you should be invited to compete in some national grand prix the day after just because 9 (or whatever) months ago you were a top dog. Pregnancy is ultimately a choice. So the rider needs to choose, pregnancy or FEI rankings. I don't think it'd be a hard choice for many.

[Cita]

Snarky comments about "playing mommy" aside, I can't see a rankings freeze as being fair unless it also applies to illnesses (such as cancer/chemotherapy), severe family emergencies (such as an ill child or spouse that requires constant care), etc.

[Giddy-up]

I don't think it's a good idea. It opens a whole can of "what-if's". For example:

What if....my horse is lame & I can't compete? Freeze my ranking.

What if....my sponsor dumps me & I can't afford to compete for a bit? Freeze my ranking.

What if....I am currently #1 & I want to not risk moving down so I get picked for the next event? Freeze my ranking.

[Abbeyroad1791]

I think its a really interesting concept. In this world where woman are finally on a relatively even playing field as men, especially in riding where men and woman compete against each other, reproduction is still a factor that can hold women back. As much as some feminists might like to believe it, most women really can't have it all- a family and a competitive, successful career because both require significant amounts of time that cut into the other. This suggestion is one way to narrow that discrepancy, and enable athletes to have a family and still a successful career in the horse world. I'd be interested to see where how this goes, not only as an equestrian but a woman interested in a successful career. Maybe it'll catch on to other sports/fields!

[NCE]

But on the flip side, how is it fair that a male rider gets to have all the enjoyment of starting a family AND continue competing and maintain his ranking, while the female rider, simply due to biology, is unable to do so? Pregnancy is a choice, sure, but it seems hugely unfair to make the woman choose between starting a family and maintaining her ranking, while male riders don't have to make such an either/or choice.

[LexInVA]

Here's a better idea. Get a surrogate mom. I'm sure there are plenty young women in the show jumping world, especially in Europe, who would be eager to have a little piece of Equestrian awesomeness in their belly for the better part of a year. Lots of career professionals in other sports and work-intensive careers do that to avoid potential breaks in their career that can lead to irreversible problems when attempting to get back into whatever it is they do.

[Tamsin]

But on the flip side, how is it fair that a male rider gets to have all the enjoyment of starting a family AND continue competing and maintain his ranking, while the female rider, simply due to biology, is unable to do so? Pregnancy is a choice, sure, but it seems hugely unfair to make the woman choose between starting a family and maintaining her ranking, while male riders don't have to make such an either/or choice.

I agree.

[Meredith Clark]

Here's a better idea. Get a surrogate mom. .

Better idea: lets get the technology so that men can carry a child ... sea horse style!

[LexInVA]

Better idea: lets get the technology so that men can carry a child ... sea horse style!

It's hard enough for me to get clothes that fit well as it is.

[jr]

How fair is it to a man who rides his but off, horse peaks and wins numerous competitions, to be denied a top ranking because someone else made the PERSONAL decision to take time off to start a family.

Everyone needs to get over it. Life isn't fair. Decisions and actions have consequences. The purpose of the list is to show how you stack up in the world. If you're off having a child, great decision! But you can't expect everyone else in the world to hold up and wait for you to come back.

[Mac123]

I find the efforts to make life "fair" as preposterous as "world peace."

Neither are or will be, folks, and that's just the way it is. Women have children; men don't. Argue with the creator or evolution, but it's all in vain. Biology is simply fact. Women are NOT men. We can do a lot of amazing things like men can, but we simply cannot do others. Vice versus, men CAN'T have children. And back when child bearing was seen as wonderful, it seen was a miracle men couldn't do. Now it's always a burden. Accept the differences, fair or not, and celebrate them!

Having a family is a very personal decision and one that top athletes should not take lightly. Having a family is not something to be disrespected and neither is choosing not to have children.

But having a family has repercussions on athletics...IMO, it should be something fully thought through before doing. IE., "I'm going to take a couple years off to start a family, you'll see me back in a while." You can't have it both ways.

It's NOT fair to the men OR the other non-pregnant women to be unable to move up the rankings. I actually thing it's quite arrogant. Pregnancy aside, who's to say that the lady rider will stay at no. 2 while competing? Maybe someone else is better and will rise to the top anyway.

Choices have responsibilities associated with them. Why is that SO hard to accept in our modern times?

[grandprixjump]

Is anyone committed to a show then finds out they can't, preg, family emergency, etc. Gets points of a mid place finish. So if one person wins a whole bunch of times while the other is gone, they still will move up, but the person gone, won't move down as much. (For example, if you get one point for competing in and not being disqualified from a certain event, but the winner gets 30 points, this person would get maybe 5 to 10 points, as if their there, but not FROZEN since they chose NOT to be...)

[klmck63]

Better idea: lets get the technology so that men can carry a child ... sea horse style!

That solves everything .

I'm sure while it would be nice not to have to choose between losing your rank and starting a family, it's just the way it works. I don't think it's fair to put everyone on pause while you're forced to take time off. Those who are still riding might be beating you anyways even if you weren't taking time off.

[superpony123]

frankly, i think when someone chooses to have a child they SHOULD care a bit more about that child than their ranking for FEI-- i know FEI is a huge deal, but seriously, family should come first. yeah, plenty of people think "horses > family" but why should we encourage the latter?

having a child is a CHOICE. pick one or the other. maintain FEI standings or have your kid. or have a surrogate mother and a nanny. i just don't see how it's fair at all to all of the other riders if you're #1 or #10 or whatever, to have your spot frozen and they continue to get more points then you but then they cant advance past your place?? that makes NO sense to me, and it's completely unfair.

[Meredith Clark]

It's hard enough for me to get clothes that fit well as it is.

rats! I forgot you were one of the McGuire twins! I'll find someone else to carry my children

[Serah]

Are these preggo riders still going to pay for all the competitions they miss while they are out? Why should they get credit when they aren't out there earning their ranking? If you chose to have a child, that has a major effect on any professional rider... And you should take that into consideration when choosing to have a child.

This is the most ridiculous idea I've heard in a long time.

[Void]

If making money is an issue they can always teach clinics while they are out.

[UberMonkey]

Riders break things all the time (Legs, Arms) Its not a personal choice to be injured and removed from competing and gathering points, and as far as I know those riders rankings are not frozen.
So on the same token why in the world would a rider who makes a personal choice that she knows will remove her from competing have any right to have her ranking frozen?