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Sport | Equestrian |
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Category | Sports |
Jurisdiction | International |
Abbreviation | FEI |
Founded | 1921 |
Affiliation | International Olympic Committee, ASOIF |
Affiliation date | 1921, 1983 |
Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
President | ![]() |
Vice president(s) | ![]() ![]() |
Secretary | ![]() |
Sponsor | Longines |
Official website | |
www |
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (French: Fédération Équestre Internationale, FEI) is the international governing body of equestrian sports.
The FEI headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland. An FEI code of conduct[1] protects the welfare of the horses from physical abuse or doping. On March 2, 2022, in the wake of the 2022 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.[2]
The FEI recognizes eight disciplines under global governance in both regular and para-equestrianism competition:
The following two disciplines are under regional governance:
The FEI does not govern or provide rules for horse racing or polo, but in the latter case, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of International Polo.
To grow the unique and mutually beneficial bond between horse and human in sport globally.[11]
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.[11]
Main article: Equestrian at the Summer Olympics |
Jumping, Dressage and Eventing have been a part of the Olympics since 1912.[12] Para-Equestrian Dressage has been part of the Paralympic games since 1996.[13] Jumping has been part of the Youth Olympic Games since its creation in Singapore in 2010.[14]
The FEI has organized the FEI 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 by HRH Prince Philip, who was then FEI President.
The WEG encompasses the World Championship titles in all the FEI global disciplines.[15]
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:
FEI World, Continental and Regional Championships are held in all the FEI disciplines and age categories. Events include:
Main articles: Concours de Saut International, Concours Complet International, and Concours de Dressage International |
The FEI was formed in 1921 with the joining of the national organizations of Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America.[16] Today, there are 136 National Equestrian Federations affiliated with the FEI.[17]
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 the 2022 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.[2]
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 is Ingmar De Vos from Belgium.
# | 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 | Belgium ![]() |
Since 2014 |