Please note that all Rules & Regulations for 2023, approved at the FEI General Assembly in Cape Town (RSA) on 13 November, are now available in the FEI Rules Hub and on the FEI RuleApp.

FEI introduces more flexibility to maternity leave provision in Ranking Rules

The FEI Board approved the modifications of the Jumping, Dressage, and Driving Ranking Rules regarding maternity leave. The minimum period for maternity leave was shortened from six months to three months. The maximum period of 12 months remained unchanged. Athletes will have the possibility to choose the initial length of their maternity period and the possibility to come back earlier or later than originally indicated, provided the minimum and maximum periods are respected.

The FEI Board also approved the incorporation of medical and maternity leave provisions into the FEI Endurance and the FEI Para Dressage Ranking Rules.

Detailed explanations of these modifications and additional information are available in a dedicated press release here.

The updated versions of the respective Ranking Rules are all available in the FEI Rules Hub.

MEET THE FEI ATHLETES’ COMMITTEE 2022-2026

The FEI Athletes Committee plays a vital role and is designed to provide a voice to the Athlete community within the global FEI decision-making process. With one representative per discipline elected by their peers – the Athletes in their discipline – they have the opportunity to work together as a Committee, while also getting involved within their specific sport, with each representative also a full member of their respective FEI Discipline Technical Committee.

We are pleased to present you the recently elected FEI Athletes Committee and the appointed Chair for 2022-2026, Jessica Kürten (IRL), who will also sit on the FEI Executive Board for the next four years.

FEI Athletes’ Committee 2022-2026

Jessica KÜRTEN (IRL) – Chair
Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) – Jumping
Yvonne Sylvia LOSOS DE MUÑIZ (DOM) – Dressage
Bettina HOY (GER) – Eventing
Franz Schiltz (LUX) – Driving
Sabrina ARNOLD (GER) – Endurance
Lambert LECLEZIO (FRA) – Vaulting
Erin ORFORD (GBR) – Para Equestrian

FEI CALENDAR 2023/2024 – RECENT ALLOCATIONS & UPDATES

During its teleconference on 6 December, the last one for 2022, the FEI Board allocated a number of FEI named Events, Series, and Finals.

The following allocations were made and have been added to the FEI Calendar 2023 and 2024:

FEI Jumping Ponies Trophy 2023

Qualifiers:
Herning (DEN), 18-22 October 2023
Lyon (FRA), 1-5 November 2023
Stuttgart (GER), 15-19 November 2023
Salzburg (AUT), 6-10 December 2023

Final:
Mechelen (BEL), 26-30 December 2023

FEI Jumping Youth Nations Cup™ 2023

European Qualifiers:
Opglabbeek (BEL), 29 March-2 April 2023
Gorla Minore (ITA), 5-9 April 2023
Zduchovice (CZE), 19-23 April 2023
Compiegne (FRA), 27-30 April 2023
Lamprechtshausen (AUT), 3-7 May 2023
Samorin (SVK), 11-14 May 2023
Drammen (NOR), 27-30 May or 9-12 June 2023
Zuidwolde (NED), 30 May-4 June 2023
Hagen (GER), 13-18 June 2023
Dielsdorf-Zurich (SUI), 23-27 August 2023

Middle East Qualifier:
Sharjah (UAE), 3-5 February 2023

Final:
Opglabbeek (BEL) 13-17 September 2023

FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2023

Montelibretti (ITA) CCIO4*-S, 9-12 March 2023
Chatsworth (GBR) CCIO4*-S, 12-14 May 2023
Millstreet (IRL) CCIO4*-S, 1-4 June 2023**
Strzegom (POL) CCIO4*-S, 22-25 June 2023
Haras de Jardy (FRA) CCIO4*-S, 13-16 July 2023
Avenches (SUI) CCIO4*-S, 20-23 July 2023
Arville (BEL) CCIO4*-S, 17-20 August 2023
Boekelo (NED) CCIO4*-L, 5-8 October 2023
** Subject to receiving the signed Host Agreement.

FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 – Western European League

Herning (DEN), 18-22 October 2023
Lyon (FRA), 1-5 November 2023
Stuttgart (GER), 15-19 November 2023
Madrid (ESP), 24-25 November 2023
London (GBR), 14-15 December 2023
Mechelen (BEL), 26-30 December 2023
Basel (SUI), 10-14 January 2024
Amsterdam (NED), 25-28 January 2024
Neumünster (GER), 15-18 February 2024
Gothenburg (SWE), 22-24 February 2024
S’Hertogenbosch (NED), 7-10 March 2024

FEI Driving World Cup™ 2023/2024

Lyon (FRA), 1-5 November 2023
Maastricht (NED), 8-10 November 2023
Stuttgart (GER), 15-19 November 2023
Stockholm (SWE), 30 November – 3 December 2023
Geneva (SUI), 9-10 December 2023*
London (GBR), 16-18 December 2023
Mechelen (BEL), 26-30 December 2023
Leipzig (GER), 18-21 January 2024
* Subject to receiving the signed Host Agreement.

FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final 2024

The Board allocated the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final 2024 to Basel (SUI), 10-14 January 2024.

FEI Olympic Group Qualification Event – Eventing – Groups F&G

The Board allocated the FEI Olympic Qualification Event for Groups F (Africa and Middle East) and G (South East Asia, Oceania) for Eventing to Millstreet (IRL), 1-4 June 2023.

PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES

Appointment of the Jumping Course Designer

The FEI Board approved the joint appointment of Santiago Varela (ESP) and Gregory Bodo (FRA) as Co-Course Designers for the Jumping and Eventing Jumping Competitions of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Additional details on this appointment were published in a dedicated press release here.

You will find further information on the qualifications systems, Rules and schedule, as well as key updates on the dedicated pages for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Tickets Now on sale

FEI WORLD CUP™ FINALS 2023 IN OMAHA (USA) – JUMPING, DRESSAGE AND VAULTING – GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Save your seat for the Longines FEI Jumping, the FEI Dressage and the Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Finals taking place in Omaha (USA) from 4-8 April 2023 here.

Thrilling by nature, the FEI World Cup™ Finals are the perfect opportunity to see the world’s best athletes up close, fight it out for the ultimate indoor trophy in each of the highly disputed disciplines.

Simply click on the banner below for more information…

FEI VETERINARY

Equine infectious diseases reporting

The FEI encourages all members of the community to inform the FEI of any equine infectious disease cases or outbreaks. This information not only raises awareness of disease prevalence but also helps determine whether additional, temporary, biosecurity measures should be implemented at events to help keep horses free from infectious diseases. Information can be submitted by any stakeholder using the online equine infectious diseases reporting form.

EVENTING

Eventing Forum and NSO Seminar, Jardy (FRA), 2023

The Eventing Forum and NSO Seminar will take place in Jardy (FRA) from 20 – 22 January 2023. The Agenda is available on the FEI Eventing Seminars 2023-2024 page.

Level 3 FEI Eventing Officials, “A” categorised Athletes, National Safety Officers, National Federations’ representatives, 4*/5* Eventing Organisers as well as other stakeholders involved in Eventing have been invited to attend this Forum and Seminar.

The Eventing Forum will not be live web-streamed due to technical limitations, but the sessions will be recorded and available on replay on the FEI Eventing hub.

In addition, a MIM systems Course will be organised on Thursday 19 January 2023 in the afternoon.

Risk Management

The following documents listed below have been updated and it is very important that the latest update of the rules and guidelines are referred to.

Please also ensure that Course Designers are aware of, and using, the latest manufacturer fitting instructions to make sure the devices work as intended.

MIM Clips

MIM Corner kit (80236) and Post & Rail Narrow Kit – (80322)
The instruction manuals and videos have been updated to show more clearly how to support the released rail when it drops down to a support.

The animated instruction manuals for the Oxer, Post & Rail, Post & Rail Adjustable, Post & Rail Narrow, Wall and Table kits have also been updated.

Please refer to the FEI Eventing Deformable & Frangible Devices webpage to view or download the instructions.

Cross Country Guide for Officials

Two updates have been made on the following:
Pages 18 & 19 – Anchoring or Securing of Portable Fences
Page 40 – A Horse perspective – what horses see

The Cross Country Guide is available the FEI Eventing Rules page.

DRIVING

**FEI Driving Dressage Tests applicable in 2023: Enhanced 3* HP2-P4 test and 3* B H4 test**

Following the decisions voted during the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Cape Town (RSA), and the feedback provided from this competition year, the FEI has published enhancements to the CAI3* HP2-P4 test to provide additional scoring opportunities for judges to award points and increase the level of difficulty using the same figures by making them one handed.

This published revised version of the CAI3* HP2-P4 test will apply from 1 January 2023 for Pair Horses, Pair Ponies and Four-in-Hand Ponies.

This test will be used at the FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs (Horses) and the FEI Driving World Championship for Ponies – Pairs and Four-in-Hand. Please note that any qualifying scores an Athlete earned with the previous version of the test for the World Pair Horses and Ponies and World Four-in-Hand Ponies Championships will remain valid and count toward the qualification parameters.

The World Four-in-Hand Horse Championship will continue to be held in a 100x40m size arena and consequently the Dressage Test 3*B H4 will remain applicable as of 1 January 2023.

Test Directives for the Dressage Test 3*B H4 for both the 100x40m and 80x40m arenas are published on the FEI Driving Dressage Tests webpage.

**New CAI1* and Para Driving Dressage tests**

Additionally, a new CAI1* test and Para Driving Dressage test has been published, and will come into effect on 1 January 2023. This new Para Driving Dressage test will be used at the FEI Para Driving World Championship in 2023.

All FEI Driving Dressage tests are available on the FEI Driving Dressage Tests webpage.

FEI Driving Alternative Scoring System

After reviewing the feedback received from various Stakeholders, the FEI Driving Committee has published a new version of the Alternative Scoring System. The new version includes the calculation of the Dressage scores in percentages, while the other competitions retain their current scoring system. The Alternative Scoring System document can be found on the FEI Driving Rules page.

Should you have any questions regarding these items, please do not hesitate to contact the FEI Driving Department.

Qualification criteria for FEI Driving Championships 2023

The qualification criteria for FEI Driving Championships 2023 are published on the FEI Driving Main Events page.

VAULTING

FEI Vaulting Guidelines

Following the FEI Vaulting Seminar 2022, which took place in Rome (ITA), and based on the comments provided by the participants, the FEI Vaulting Technical Committee has made some amendments to the first proposal of the FEI Vaulting Guidelines 2023.

The final version of the FEI Vaulting Guidelines 2023, effective from 1 January 2023 is available on the FEI Vaulting Rules webpage.

The main changes are the following:

Deductions in Horse score A2
Specific deductions – compulsory/technical test
Compulsory exercises – new description of the exercises
Technical Test exercises – new description of the exercises
New Technical Test exercise – Stand Backward replacing Kneeling forward to Stand

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the FEI Vaulting Department.

FEI Online Vaulting Forum

We are pleased to announce that the second edition of the FEI Online Vaulting Forum will be held on Friday 3 February 2023 from 15:30 – 18:30 CET.

The Forum is open to all and registrations may be submitted directly on the FEI Calendar.
We look forward to your participation!

FEI SHORTLISTED FOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2022

The FEI has been shortlisted in the category – Diversity and Inclusion Award for the International Sports Awards 2022. This shortlisting is one of the many positive ramifications brought about by the creation of The Para Equestrian Digest.

Launched in in February 2022 the premise of The Para Equestrian Digest is simple: to give athletes and people connected to Para Equestrian sport a space to share their personal stories, and raise awareness about issues affecting disability and inclusion.

While the intense horse-human connection is a common theme running through the Digest, para athletes have also spoken openly about issues like disability representation, racism and homosexuality. Since it started, The Para Equestrian Digest has featured athletes from Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Great Britain and Italy, and contributors from other parts of the world are lined up for future editions.

Discover previous editions of The Para Equestrian Digest

December 2022: Irish Para Dressage athlete Michael Murphy (IRL) talks about how he overcame his Tokyo 2020 disappointment.

November 2022: Belgian Paralympian Kevin Van HaM (BEL), 33, about his rapid rise to the upper echelons of the sport and his experience as a gay man in the equestrian world.

September 2022: Paralympian Ferdinando Acerbi (ITA), provides his insights as disability inclusion consultant for the Organising Committee of the FEI Eventing and Driving World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA).

July 2022: Grade I Para Dressage athlete Diane Green (GBR), a hospitality consultant, provides her view of what hotels and other leisure facilities can do to better cater for people with disabilities.

June 2022: Double Paralympic bronze medallist, European and World Champion Stinna Tange (DEN) provides her view of why representation in the media matters for people with disabilities.

May 2022: British Para Dressage athlete, four-time British Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Dressage Champion, aspiring Paralympian and TikTok (@teganvincentcooke) star Tegan Vincent-Cooke talks about race in equestrian sport.

April 2022: Paralympic & World Championship medallist Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA) provides his views of what businesses can do to provide a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities.

March 2022: US Paralympian and 2021 FEI Against All Odds Award winner Beatrice De Lavalette (USA) talks about mental health and how she coped with losing both her legs in the airport terrorist attack in Brussels (BEL) on 22 March 2016.

February 2022: Five time Paralympic gold medallist and two time European Para Dressage champion Natasha Baker, MBE, OBE (GBR) talks about ableism and what can be done to change people’s attitudes towards disability.

FEI DIRECTORY

Updates to the FEI Database

Monthly summary on the key changes/updates in the FEI Database with regards to the FEI’s member National Federations. All details can be found on the FEI Database by clicking on each NF’s name listed below:

CAN – EQUESTRIAN CANADA EQUESTRE
Ms Lisa ROBERTSON has been elected President of the Federation.

CAN NF have updated their postal address. They no longer have a physical office, this is purely for post and deliveries:Equestrian Canada, c/o House of Sport, 2451 Riverside Drive, K1H 7X7, Ottawa