Fédération Equestre Internationale

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is based on the principle of equality and mutual respect between all 135 affiliated National Federations, without prejudice to race, religion or internal politics.

The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting, Reining and Para-Equestrian. It establishes the regulations and approves the equestrian programmes at Championships, Continental and Regional Games as well as the Olympic Games.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme ever since 1912 with three disciplines: Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports where men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes, horse and rider, and the relationship and mutual respect built up between them is the key to a successful partnership.

In 2006, 1951 International competitions (CIs) were organised. Eighty-four National Federations organised at least one event; France was the country which organised the largest number of competitions (249), followed by Germany (179) and the United States of America (162). The view the list of the FEI events per NF, please click here. With 722 competitions, Jumping is FEI’s largest discipline, followed by Eventing (413) and Endurance (393). To view the list of FEI competitions by discipline, please click here.

The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse. According to the First Article of the Code of Conduct, ratified in 1991, updated in 2003 and applying to all those involved in equestrian sport: “At all stages during the preparation and training of competition horses, welfare must take precedence over all other demands”.