A total of 30 nations across six continents have been announced to participate in the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 to be held in Aachen (GER) from 28 June - 3 July 2022.

This historic event for the youth equestrian community will showcase 30 athletes, aged between 15 and 18 years, who will compete in both Individual and Continental Team Jumping competitions. To fulfil the Youth Equestrian Games qualification criteria, athletes are required to complete two rounds of competition over the same pre-determined course, with identical distance and height specifications.

Following the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar (SEN) to 2026, the FEI requested the IOC to organise an alternative event to be held in 2022. In agreement with the IOC, the Youth Equestrian Games, built around the same principles as YOG, will be organised to avoid young athletes being negatively impacted by the absence of the Youth Olympic Games. The event will also host a Culture and Education Programme established in cooperation with the IOC.

Participants will compete under the same format used in previous editions of the YOG. Athletes will ride unfamiliar horses -assigned by a random draw and supplied by the organising committee- and will have three training days and a welcome competition -outside of the official programme- to strengthen their bond and forge a solid partnership.

The city chosen to host the Youth Equestrian Games has been the iconic Aachen, in Germany, where fans have seen many of the best equestrians in history crowned. The perfect stage to enjoy the stars of the future.

Six countries will make their first appearance in the competition: Costa Rica, France, Germany, Palestine, Russia and Tunisia.

“It was important for the FEI to find a replacement to the Youth Olympic Games to ensure we did not deprive a whole youth generation of the Olympic dream,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will inspire young equestrians from all over the world, making this not only a rewarding, exciting and impactful experience for them, but with an educational dimension, fundamental to instilling the philosophy of the Olympic Games. Exposing the youth to the integral values built around Olympism that will ultimately encourage further skills development to achieving high levels of performance, whilst understanding friendship and respect in the sporting arena.

"To foster these Olympic values is key to ensuring the future of our sport in the Olympic movement. The Youth Equestrian Games are a unique opportunity to develop our young athletes at the highest level while keeping them motivated towards the Olympic dream".

The final list of qualified athletes will be published here on 1 June.

All the information you need to know about the Youth Equestrian Games 2022 can be viewed here

Qualified Nations: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Palestine, Paraguay, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.

Nations competing for the first time: Costa Rica, France, Germany, Palestine, Russia and Tunisia.

The FEI has launched The Para Equestrian Digest, an online magazine created for Para Equestrian athletes and the people connected to the sport so they can share – in their own words – their personal experiences and disability stories.

Every month, the Digest will put the spotlight on an athlete or project in Para Equestrian sport with the aim of improving disability awareness and inclusion.

The magazine has its roots in the WeThe15 campaign, which was launched by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in Tokyo at last year’s Paralympic Games. The campaign, which is sport’s largest ever human rights movement to end discrimination, aims to transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities who represent 15% of the global population.

“The conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion need to be informed by real-life experiences, and story-telling is a key tool in this process of creating awareness and connection,” FEI Secretary General and newly re-elected President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO) Sabrina Ibáñez explained.

“First-hand accounts invite the public to better understand the situations faced by people with disabilities on a daily basis, and challenge widely held perceptions about disability. This process of perspective-taking, or the ability to understand another person’s point of view, is what sparks the conversations that lead to long-lasting change.

“Para Equestrian athletes have experiences off the field-of-play that can inform the wider conversation on disability inclusion and we wanted to provide them with a space to share their thoughts and ideas.”

In the lead up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Digest will explore key themes affecting disability inclusion, beginning with a discussion on ‘ableism’ or the societal attitudes that diminish the potential of persons with disabilities.

“The aim of the Para Equestrian Digest is not to problem gaze, but to seek out solutions and ideas for greater inclusion, that are offered by the para athletes themselves,” Chair of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee Amanda Bond said.

“Ironically, people with disabilities are often not part of the discussions on disability inclusion, which leads to weak decision-making processes and less than desirable outcomes.

“We hope that these unique narratives from the Para Equestrian community will resonate with people around the world facing similar issues. While we recognise that inclusion is a long-term process with many challenges, we believe that these stories can affect change one small step at a time.”

Read here: Natasha Baker: Sport opens people’s eyes

Photo caption: Natasha Baker (GBR) - The Para Equestrian Digest's first contributor - showing solidarity with the WeThe15 campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. (© FEI/Liz Gregg)

FEI and IVOC sign a Memorandum of Understanding

The FEI and the International Vaulting Officials Club (IVOC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU formalises the relationship between the two organisations and allows the IVOC to contribute more efficiently within the FEI framework.

“Vaulting became an FEI discipline nearly 40 years ago and has played an important role in the development of equestrian sport globally with its appeal to youth, and incredible horsemanship and showmanship,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Officials play a vital role in the development and success of equestrian sports, and we are very happy our relationship with the Vaulting Officials, represented by the IVOC, has been reinforced. It will allow the Officials to engage formally in important consultation processes, such as rules revision, and to have their say in the future development of Vaulting around the world.”

“This is an exciting new step in the relationship between the FEI and IVOC,” IVOC Chairwoman Karolina (Mimmi) Wickholm (FIN) commented.

“We at the IVOC hope to preserve the transparency, open communication, and spirit of friendship we have enjoyed in the tightknit Vaulting community over the years. Our Club’s focus will be on ensuring good and fair working conditions for all Vaulting Officials.

“All the IVOC members are equal and we value everyone’s concerns and opinions. We look forward to working together with the FEI for the greater benefit of Vaulting and equestrian sport in general. The IVOC shares the FEI’s values and especially the dedication to the welfare of our most valuable team member – the horse – as well as the respect for all those engaged in the sport.”

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) cover general topics and areas of specific interest between the parties such as mutual recognition, FEI Rules and Regulations, horse welfare, good governance, consultation, General Assemblies, and the FEI Sports Forum.

The list of the MoU stakeholders to date is available here.

Photo caption: The Austrian squad at the FEI Vaulting World Championships 2021 in Budapest (HUN). (c) FEI/Lukasz Kowalski

The FEI President has welcomed the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Equestrian sport is officially confirmed in the Initial Sports Programme for Los Angeles 2028.

The confirmation for inclusion in the LA 2028 Initial Sports Programme took place yesterday during the IOC session in Beijing (CHN), and followed the announcement by the IOC in December 2021 that equestrian sport was amongst the 28 sports proposed.

“We are delighted with this confirmation, which is a glowing endorsement of the valuable contribution and legacy that equestrian sport brings to the Olympic movement” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“However, this is only a first step. The Equestrian Disciplines for LA2028 will be decided mid-2023 and the Equestrian Events and the Quota for LA will only be decided after Paris2024”.

Universality, integrity and fairness, gender equality and popularity were highlighted as key requirements of the evaluation criteria to determine the Disciplines and Events for the programme, in line with the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020+5. Athlete safety, environmental sustainability and keeping the sport relevant to youth were also reiterated as significant factors in the decision making process.

“We are committed to deliver successful sport at the Olympics and are passionate about universality and growing our sport to reach new audiences and develop talent around the world” FEI President Ingmar De Vos continued.

“Youth participation and development play a key role in this process, and will ensure we have a diverse and inclusive equestrian community for young people to grow, progress and strive for Olympic greatness.

“The youth are the future and with equestrian sport in the LA2028 programme, a youth focused Games, it’s an added incentive for our ambitious young athletes to prepare to showcase their talent on the biggest world stage.

“Consolidation of our place in the LA2028 Olympic programme will keep the equestrian community strong and resilient in this competitive sporting landscape”.

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a Horse Abuse case involving an athlete and his support personnel.

This Horse Abuse case involves the athlete Esam Zbibi (FEI ID 10184793/GBR) and his support personnel Hicham Gharib, regarding the horse HH Sigma (FEI ID 105XP18/UAE) at the CSI3* in Abu Dhabi (UAE) 23-26 February 2021.

The FEI officials reported that the athlete had used hind boots with nails inside them on the horse. A steward at the warm up arena had noticed that the horse was jumping extremely high with its hind legs and asked the Chief Steward to check the hind boots. Before he could do so, Hicham Gharib, the support personnel of the athlete, threw the hind boots outside of the warm up arena. The Chief Steward found both hind boots and in every boot there was a nail as well as blood stains.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal ruled that Esam Zbibi had engaged in Horse Abuse and imposed a four-year ineligibility period on him starting from the date of the decision, meaning he is suspended until 1 February 2026. He was also fined CHF 10,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.

The FEI Tribunal also ruled that Hicham Garib had engaged in Incorrect Behaviour and imposed a one year ineligibility period on starting from the date of the decision, meaning he is suspended until 1 February 2023. He was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.   

The full Decisions are available here. 

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance and a Controlled Medication Substance.

The horse Calai (FEI ID 105RF80/UAE), ridden by Hassan Bin Ali (FEI ID 10017909/UAE), tested positive for the Banned Substance Arsenic and the Controlled Medication Substance Salicylic Acid, including the metabolite 2-hydroxyethyl salicylate, following samples taken at the CEI2*120 – Bou Thib (UAE) on 12 January 2021.

The athlete did not provide any explanation as to how the Prohibited Substances entered the horse’s system.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year suspension on the athlete. The Provisional Suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 3 March 2021, is credited against the period of ineligibility imposed in the decision, meaning the athlete will be ineligible until 2 March 2023. The athlete was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. The results obtained at the event have been disqualified.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI is aware of the allegations made in the documentary broadcast on RTL in Germany on 11 January 2022 and is making enquiries regarding the matter. We are already in touch with the German National Federation and will continue to liaise closely with them in order to assess the appropriate course of action.

The welfare of the horse is central to everything that the FEI stands for and we strongly condemn all training methods and practices that are contrary to horse welfare. The FEI has stringent rules in place to protect horse welfare which allow action to be taken both at FEI Events and elsewhere. The FEI absolutely condemns any form of horse abuse and the training methods shown in RTL’s video footage are totally unacceptable from a horse welfare perspective and against FEI Regulations.

The FEI General Regulations (GRs) Article 142 state: No person may abuse a Horse during an Event or at any other time. “Abuse” means an action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse, including, but not limited to:
(vi) To "rap" a Horse.

Article 243.1 of the FEI Jumping rules states: All forms of cruel, inhumane or abusive treatment of Horses, which include, but are not limited to various forms of rapping, are strictly forbidden. Article 243.2.1 goes on to give a non-exhaustive description of what the FEI considers as “rapping”.

The FEI will provide an update as soon as further information is available.

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, a horse trained by Ruben Dario Flores (FEI ID 10168197/ARG), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CEIYJ2*120 Capitan Sarmiento (ARG), 15-16 July 2021.

The trainer admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the trainer; the provisional suspension he already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. He was also fined CHF 5,000 and the cost of the B sample.

The full Decision is available here. 

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case.

The horse Sarem (FEI ID 105MZ22/KSA), ridden by Mohammed Almalky (FEI ID 10134839)/KSA), was selected for an in-competition doping control test at the CEI2* 120 - Al Ula (KSA) on 1 February 2020.

The Athlete was notified of the sample collection of his horse, however disappeared on the way to the testing box. By failing to submit the horse to sample collection, the athlete violated the anti-doping rules.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year ineligibility period on the athlete. The Provisional Suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 19 February 2020, is credited against the period of ineligibility imposed in the decision, meaning the athlete will be ineligible until 18 February 2022. He was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. The results obtained at the event have been disqualified.

The full Decision is available here.

Notes to Editors:

FEI Equine Prohibited Substances

The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

Specified Substances

The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.

Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.

The FEI Tribunal has issued three Final Decisions in three human anti-doping cases involving the substance Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of Cannabis which is a Prohibited Substance under the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).   

In the first two cases, urine samples taken from the Qatari Jumping athletes Sheikh Ali Al Thani (FEI ID 10024194), and Bassem Mohammed (FEI ID 10082635) at the CSIO4*-W Designated Olympic Qualifier for Group F - Rabat (MAR), 10-13 October 2019, tested positive for the Prohibited Substance. In the third case, a urine sample taken from the Egyptian Jumping athlete Mohamed Talaat (FEI ID 10021782) at the African Games-S - Rabat (MAR) 20-24 August 2019, also tested positive for Carboxy-THC.

All athletes denied that they knowingly smoked, inhaled or otherwise used Cannabis during the Event. To all three, the only plausible explanation for the Adverse Analytical Finding of Carboxy-THC and the values detected, was due to an inadvertent exposure to Cannabis during their visits to their hotel’s shisha bar in Rabat. To FEI Tribunal, the athletes had failed to establish the source of the Carboxy-THC, and hence applied the standard sanction for Specified Substances.  

As Carboxy-THC is a *Specified Substance banned in competition under the 2019 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, there is no mandatory provisional suspension imposed by the FEI, however, the athletes had the option to request a voluntary provisional suspension be imposed on them, but chose not to.

In its three Final Decisions, the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year ineligibility period on each athlete, effective from 17 June 2021, meaning, each athlete will be ineligible until 16 June 2023. Each athlete was also fined CHF 7,500 and Mr Mohammed and Mr Talaat were each asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.

The results of all athletes as of 17 June 2021 are disqualified. For Mr Talaat this includes his results obtained at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, resulting in the disqualification of team Egypt from the Jumping Team Competition.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.  

The full decision for Sheikh Ali Al Thani can be found here.

The full decision for Bassem Mohammed can be found here.

The full decision for Mohamed Talaat can be found here.

* Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other doping substances. Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been consumed by an Athlete for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.

Notes to Editors:

FEI Clean Sport - human athletes

The FEI is part of the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The aim of this movement is to protect fair competition as well as athlete health and welfare.

WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the List are classified by different categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).

As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI runs a testing programme for human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the Code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).

For further information, please consult the Clean Sport section of the FEI website here.