International Federation for Equestrian Sports

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (French: Fédération équestre internationale, FEI) is the international governing body of equestrian sports. The FEI came into being following the Olympic Congress in Lausanne (SUI) in 1921 from May 28 to May 30. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FEI is responsible for drafting and enforcing regulations within the six disciplines under its jurisdiction. 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. An FEI code of conduct protects the welfare of the horses from physical abuse or doping. History The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) was founded in Paris on 24 November 1921 following discussions initiated at the Olympic Congress in Lausanne earlier that year. The organization was created to establish uniform international rules for equestrian competition and to oversee the growing number of international events in the Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. The founding member nations were Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The creation of the FEI was closely linked to the inclusion of equestrian sport in the Olympic Games. During the early twentieth century, international competitions were conducted under varying national regulations, making it difficult to organize fair competition between riders from different countries. The FEI was established to provide a common framework for rules, officiating, and championship organization. In its early decades, the FEI was strongly influenced by military traditions, as most international riders were cavalry officers and Olympic participation was largely restricted to military personnel. Following the Second World War, the sport gradually opened to civilian competitors. A major milestone occurred at the 1952 Olympic Games, when restrictions on civilian participation were removed, allowing a broader range of athletes to compete internationally. Women’s participation also expanded during this period, first in dressage and later in jumping and eventing. Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, the FEI experienced significant global growth. Membership expanded beyond its traditional European and North American base, reflecting the increasing popularity of equestrian sport worldwide. New disciplines were introduced under FEI governance, including driving, endurance, and vaulting, while para-equestrian sport was progressively integrated into the federation’s structure. In 1990, the FEI launched the World Equestrian Games, bringing together world championships in multiple FEI disciplines at a single venue. The event became one of the most important competitions in international equestrian sport and remained the primary world championship format until its restructuring in the 2020s. During the twenty-first century, the FEI increasingly focused on horse welfare, integrity, anti-doping measures, sustainability, and the global development of equestrian sport. The federation strengthened its regulatory framework through the expansion of veterinary controls, athlete education programs, and governance reforms. By the 2020s, the FEI had grown into the international governing body for equestrian sport, representing more than 130 national federations and overseeing thousands of international competitions annually. Since 2014, the FEI has been led by Belgian administrator Ingmar De Vos, under whose presidency the organization has pursued modernization initiatives and expanded its emphasis on welfare, digital innovation, and global participation. Russia and Belarus suspension On March 2 2022, in the wake of the Ukrainian invasion, 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. The suspension was extended in 2023. At the end of 2023, FEI announced the capacity and criteria for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at competitions as neutral athletes. 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. As of May 2026, the restrictions on Belarus have been lifted by the IOC and have been taken over by the FEI and athletes may compete under normal conditions for its reinstatement with full national symbols. Disciplines The FEI recognizes six disciplines under global governance in both regular and para-equestrianism competition: Dressage and Para Dressage Driving and Para Driving Endurance Eventing Show jumping Vaulting Reining was an FEI discipline from 2000 until 2021. The following two disciplines are under regional governance: Horseball (Fédération internationale de horse-ball - FIHB) Tent pegging (International Tent Pegging Federation – ITPF) The FEI does not govern or provide rules for horse racing (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)) or polo, but in the latter case, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of International Polo (FIP). Values Vision The FEI has stated their vision to be "To grow the unique and mutually beneficial bond between horse and human in sport globally." Mission The FEI has stated their mission to be "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." Regions Groups As of 2026, the FEI recognized 135 affiliated national federations. Events Source: Olympic and Paralympic Games The first Olympics held under its authority were in 1924. Jumping, Dressage and Eventing have been a part of the Olympics since 1912. Para-Equestrian Dressage has been part of the Paralympic games since 1996. Jumping has been part of the Youth Olympic Games since its creation in Singapore in 2010. FEI World Equestrian Games 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. World Cup 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 Show Jumping World Cup since 1978 FEI Dressage World Cup since 1985 FEI Driving World Cup since 2001 FEI Eventing World Cup 2003–2012 FEI Vaulting World Cup since 2010 FEI Endurance World Cup since FEI Jumping Main Events Source: Global Champions Tour Longines League of Nations™ FEI Jumping World Cup Series Longines FEI Jumping World Cup FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth – Since 2018 FEI Jumping Children's Classics – Since 2008 FEI Jumping Ponies' Trophy – Since 2017 FEI Jumping World Challenge (FEI World Challenges exist in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Vaulting, Driving and Para Dressage) – Since 2016 Continental & Regional Games World, continental and regional championships FEI World, Continental and Regional Championships are held in all the FEI disciplines and age categories. Events include: World Dressage Championships World Eventing Championships World Show Jumping Championships FEI World Eventing Championships for Young Horses FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, Pairs, Pony and Four-in-Hand FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors since 2012 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses since 2012 FEI World Vaulting Championships for Seniors FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships European European Dressage Championships European Show Jumping Championships European Eventing Championships Equestrian at the Friendship Games Ljubičevo Equestrian Games 2019 FEI European Championships 2017 FEI European Championships 2009 FEI European Championships 2013 European Para-Dressage Championship American Equestrian at the Pan American Games Asian Equestrian sports first time at the 9th Asian Games in 1982. Equestrian at the Asian Games 1st Asian Equestrian Championships in Pattaya (THA) - 30 November - 8 December 2019 2nd Asian Equestrian Championships in Pattaya (THA) - 24 November - 7 December 2025 Ratings Presidents 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. See also French Equestrian Federation French National Olympic and Sports Committee Asian Equestrian Federation European Equestrian Federation References External links Official website FEI TV: Official Equestrian Sport streaming website FEI Inside FEI Database