Hot on the heels of their first team sale, the Premier Jumping League, the new upstart show jumping league founded by Frank McCourt, announced it has secured FEI approval.

Even more tantalizing, some news about the new format has been included in the press release.

First, we are told that FEI approval includes sanction of the league’s “competition formats, team formation structure, rider selection process, prize money distribution, and other operational mechanics.”

FEI approval is crucial because riders will still be able to earn world ranking points and spectators and fans will be assured that the league will adhere to the FEI’s rules on horse welfare and fairness in competition.

Now this reporter has been accused of “gushing” about the new league, an accusation she cannot fully spurn, as the promise that it will be “positioning jumping alongside other elite sports—not as a niche pursuit, but as a premium international sporting product capable of attracting major audiences, sponsors, broadcasters, and commercial partners” is too luscious a proposition not to get excited about.

And now, with the acquisition of FEI approval, we are all assured that the PJL is not simply a proposition, but will become a reality.

The press release teased some details on the forthcoming competition format.

The competition will be held over three days. Different from other leagues, all results in all league classes will count towards the overall team score, so there are no throwaway competitions. Competition at the highest height will be reserved for the last day of competition, so as not to overtax the horses and make competition achievable for talented riders without needing multiple 1.60m horses.

Each event will offer one million dollars in prize money, with the total 100 million dollars offered over each season. (Exact breakdown of that still to be announced). Of the 16 teams, two are eliminated before the playoffs, while the top two advance automatically to the Final. That means a total of 12 teams will battle it out in the Playoffs for the six remaining places in the Final.

The League shows begin in April 2027 and proceed to the Playoffs in November, held the week preceding the Final.

Within the three-day competition, there is also a 2-star division and a U25.

There is much more information to be learned—stay tuned for updates! Rumor has it that rider packets have gone out to the top 300 riders in the world and allegedly include details about guaranteed income for riders, included horse transport and hotel, as well as promised events such as a live draft of riders, happening this November.

A live draft event! How delicious, a bunch of riders up for offer while team owners wrangle over who will make their team! All livestreamed for our pleasure. Who can ask for more? 

Well, yes, of course—we all can ask for more. Let’s see if PJL can deliver. Stay tuned!

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