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| Sport | Equestrian |
|---|---|
| Category | Sports |
| Jurisdiction | International |
| Abbreviation | FEI |
| Founded | 28 May 1921; 104 years ago (1921-05-28) |
| Affiliation | |
| Affiliation date | 1921, 1983 |
| Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| President |  Ingmar De Vos |
| Vice president(s) |  Jack C. Huang Mark Samuel |
| Secretary |  Sabrina Ibáñez |
| Sponsor | Longines |
| Official website | |
| fei | |
TheInternational Federation for Equestrian Sports (French:Fédération équestre internationale,FEI) is the internationalgoverning body ofequestrian sports.[1] The FEI came into being following the Olympic Congress in Lausanne (SUI) in 1921 from May 28 to May 30.[2] Its headquarters are inLausanne, Switzerland.[3]
The FEI is responsible for drafting and enforcing regulations within the six disciplines under its jurisdiction.[1] Besides regulation, overseeing all international competitions and Championships, overseeing and cooperating with all affiliated national federations, overseeing and educating officials and registering riders and horses are core tasks of the FEI. As an umbrella equestrian organisation, the FEI focuses on promoting equestrian sport, attracting and cooperating with sponsors, media and fans, and representing equestrian sport on various online and offline channels.[4]
An FEI code of conduct[5] protects the welfare of the horses fromphysical abuse or doping. On 2 March 2022, in the wake of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FEI banned Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses, and officials from FEI events, and subsequently an FEI Tribunal panel dismissed an appeal by Russia's Federation of Equestrian Sports challenging the ban.[6]
The FEI recognizes six disciplines under global governance in both regular andpara-equestrianism competition:[7]
Reining was an FEI discipline from 2000 until 2021.[14]
The following two disciplines are under regional governance:
The FEI does not govern or provide rules forhorse racing[1] (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)) orpolo, but in the latter case, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with theFederation of International Polo (FIP).
To grow the unique and mutually beneficial bond between horse and human in sport globally.[15]
To drive and develop equestrian sport globally in a modern, sustainable and structured manner with guaranteed integrity, athlete welfare, equal opportunity and a fair and ethical partnership with the horse.[15]
By2024 FEI World Cup Finals (show jumping and dressage):
Source:[16]
The first Olympics held under its authority were in 1924. Jumping, Dressage and Eventing have been a part of the Olympics since 1912.[17] Para-Equestrian Dressage has been part of the Paralympic games since 1996.[18] Jumping has been part of the Youth Olympic Games since its creation in Singapore in 2010.[19]
The FEI has organized theFEI World Equestrian Games every four years since 1990. The idea of the World Equestrian Games (WEG) came into being in the mid-1980s and was strongly supported byHRH Prince Philip, who was then FEI President.
The WEG encompasses the World Championship titles in all the FEI global disciplines.[20]
The FEI World Cup is an indoor series and takes place throughout the world with qualifying leagues leading to a final in each of the disciplines. The FEI World Cup series began with show jumping in 1978 and has since been extended to the disciplines of dressage, driving, and vaulting. Main events include:
Source:[21]
FEI World, Continental and Regional Championships are held in all the FEI disciplines and age categories. Events include:
The FEI was formed in 1921 with the joining of the national organizations of Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and theUnited States of America.[22][23][24] Today, there are 136 National Equestrian Federations affiliated with the FEI.[25]
| Year | Number of affiliated nations |
|---|---|
| 1921 | 8 |
| 1928 | 21 |
| 1938 | 31 |
| 1960 | 48 |
| 1970 | 54 |
| 1975 | 62 |
| 1986 | 81 |
| 2014 | 132 |
| 2015 | 133 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2018 | 135 |
| 2020 | 138 |
| 2021 | 136 |
| 2022 | 137 |
On March 2, 2022, in the wake of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FEI banned Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses, and officials from FEI events, and subsequently an FEI Tribunal panel dismissed an appeal by Russia's Federation of Equestrian Sports challenging the ban.[6]
The suspension was extended in 2023.[26] At the end of 2023, FEI announced the capacity and criteria for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at competitions asneutral athletes.[27] In early November 2025, the Russian and Belarusian athletes was allowed to participate in international team competitions in a neutral status starting in 2026, and that FEI competitions in Belarus will also resume under the same conditions.[28]
There have been 13 different presidents of the organization. Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford is the only individual to have served twice. Nowadays, a President can serve for a maximum of three terms. Since 2014, the President of the FEI isIngmar De Vos fromBelgium.
| # | President | Nation | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baron du Teil | France | 1921–1927 |
| 2 | General Gerrit Johannes Maris | Netherlands | 1927–1929 |
| 3 | Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford | Netherlands | 1929–1931 |
| 4 | General Guy V. Henry | USA | 1931–1935 |
| 5 | Baron Max Von Holzing-Bertstett | Germany | 1935–1936 |
| 6 | Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford | Netherlands | 1936–1939 |
| 7 | Magnus Rydman | Finland | 1939–1946 |
| 8 | Baron Gaston de Trannoy | Belgium | 1946–1954 |
| 9 | Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld | Netherlands | 1954–1964 |
| 10 | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | UK | 1964–1986 |
| 11 | Anne, Princess Royal | UK | 1986–1994 |
| 12 | Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz | Spain | 1994–2006 |
| 13 | Princess Haya bint Hussein | Jordan | 2006–2014 |
| 14 | Ingmar De Vos[29] | Belgium | Since 2014 |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
