The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) is to freeze the Rolex Rankings points for Jumping riders on maternity leave, starting with the April rankings issued today. Under the new system, female riders will now lose only 50% of their Rolex Rankings points during their absence from competition while on maternity leave.

The new ruling means that former world number one Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum moves up from 31st on the March Rolex Rankings to 20th following the reinstatement of 50% of her points. The German rider, who gave birth to her first child Brianne Victoria Beerbaum on Feb. 27, has announced that she will not be defending her Rolex FEI World Cup title in Geneva next week.

"This is great news for all female Jumping riders," said Michaels-Beerbaum April 9. "It means that we can take time out from competition to have a baby and not lose all our Rolex Rankings points while we're off the circuit. It’s a really proactive move by the FEI and as far as I know they are the first international governing body to do something like this."

Meredith, who is a Rolex Testimonee, had her last international outing at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters in September 2009. She is planning a return to international competition at Hagen in Germany at the end of this month