Strong cross-country performances in testing conditions, gave France the winning edge in the second leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™, which took place in the stunning setting of Chatsworth Park (GBR). All four French riders scored clear cross-country performances around a demanding course, with some of the fastest times of the day. Their final team score of 140.3 penalties put them just ahead of Great Britain who had led the first two phases but eventually finished on 148.9 penalties. Belgium lagged behind in third on 1120.3 penalties. 

The best performance of the day came from young Frenchman Stephane Landois and his beautiful grey horse Chaman Dumontceau. After an impressive dressage score of 22.8, the talented pair were one of just four riders to jump a double clear and his blazing cross-country round was one of the quickest of the day. Speaking after his performance he said: “I am so happy, my horse is a very good horse and this weekend he confirmed that. My horse is very powerful and the ground was not easy, but not so difficult for him as for others”.

Gaspard Maksud and his exciting mare Zaragoza ll, did their chances of selection for future French teams no harm, with another fast and seamless cross-country performance. He spoke highly of the cross-country course which has been designed by Ian Stark for a number of years. Chatsworth is generally considered one of the more demanding tracks of this level, with the undulations adding to the scale of difficulty. 

“It was a lovely track to ride. Big and bold and nothing too technical” summed up Muksad. “The ground was a bit holding and was the reason no one went first. I just let my horse gallop at her own speed because there is nothing worse than a tired horse. It’s always easy to find an excuse and blame the ground but whilst you needed to ride the ground a bit slower, you still needed to attack the fences. It was big and wide and you had to be committed to ride the distances.”

“This is my first time at Chatsworth, it’s lovely with the house in the background . It is a fantastic atmosphere, in fact hard to do much better than that. It is great to see people out here enjoying watching the sport and what we are doing. 

Like many of the riders here Maksud is hoping to impress the selectors, particuarly with the French hosting the Olympics in Paris next year. “I have done two Nations Cups last year and it is always nice to be in the team and win. But the real battle is going to be in August for the Europeans at Haras du Pin.”

The British team posted impressive dressage and showjumping performances, with three riders jumping double clears but slipped behind the French after incurring more time penalties in the final phase. Fresh from her Badminton victory last week, Ros Canter led going into the final phase after scoring an eye-popping 18 penalties in the dressage. Her horse Izilot DHI is young and impressionable, so she chose to take him more steadily on the cross-country. “It was a really fantastic course and exactly what we wanted to set us up for Bramham which is our big aim. The ground conditions were far from ideal so I just let him get the education at the fences. He is quite a spooky horse but the scope and ability is all there.”

“The Nations Cup is fantastic and there is the bigger significance for some of the nations trying to get their Olympic qualification so it’s great to see so many nations coming over for Chatsworth. This Series is really good for the young horses to get the exposure and come to an event like this where there are lots of people watching, it’s just the sort of thing that would bother my horse. You get the benefit of your other team members telling you what happened and all our amazing World Class staff that give us valuable information here” said Canter.

Despite the sun coming out for the final day, incessant rain leading up to the event resulted in heavy ground conditions in both the jumping and cross-country phases. This inevitably saw the undoing of a great number of combinations. There were just 11 combinations to jump clear cross-country out of the 23 who started the competition.

This Nations Cup series is of particular significance to some nations this year. The highest placed team according to the final team classification of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Series 2023, excluding teams/NOCs already qualified, will be allocated a place for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

The Belgians lead the Series at this early stage, with 180 points scored after winning the opening event in Montelibretti last month. The third leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ moves to Millstreet (IRE) which runs from 3-6 June.

Carina Cassoe Krüth could not be beaten in Compiègne (FRA), leading Denmark to victory in the nation's first outing of the 2023 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season. 

Under the tutelage of Chef d'Equipe Anne-Mette Binder, the three-rider Danish squad of Krüth (Heiline's Danciera), Anna Kasprzak (Addict de Massa) and Lone Bang Zindroff (Thranegaardens Rostov) did not finish outside the top 12 across the CDIO5* Grand Prix, CDIO5* Grand Prix Special and CDIO5* Grand Prix Freestyle tests to record comfortable victory in the second leg of the six-event Nations Cup series. The group finished with just 36 points. 

The Netherlands finished second with 41 points, while Germany—who took an opening leg victory in Wellington (USA) in February—finished third with 45 points. In this Nations Cup format, athletes received points equivalent to their finish position in each test. Those points were totaled for a final team score, with the lowest cumulative score taking top honors. Athletes completed two tests each; all athletes contested the Grand Prix before splitting across the Special and Freestyle.

"Even though there were mistakes, they kept their calm and kept their cool. This is what we tried to achieve with our little team—that it's okay to make mistakes, so that you feel comfortable in trying to find a solution and solve the problems if you're in them."

Anne-Mette Binder (DEN)

Denmark's team was one of balance. A most experienced combination of Krüth and the 12-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, Heiline's Danciera were part of Denmark's gold medal-winning squad at the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN) in August, while Kasprzak and Zindroff brought forward mounts that were less experienced at the level. 

Krüth and her veteran partner certainly delivered, taking top honors in both the Grand Prix (78.674%) and Grand Prix Special (76.107%), despite some mistakes in the latter test. 

"Yesterday [the Grand Prix] was mistake-free. There was a little bit here and there with details. I can do better, but the feeling was amazing," Krüth detailed. "Today [in the Grand Prix Special], I think the feeling was even better than yesterday, but then I had some very big mistakes...That's how it is with horses. We all make mistakes sometimes, but the feeling was even better today."

Krüth and Heiline's Danciera have been partnered since the mare was just a 4-year-old, and the horse has had no other rider. In addition to their gold medal performance in Herning, they have also represented Denmark in the Tokyo Olympic Games (JPN) and 2022 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final (GER).

"We've been doing Grand Prix since [Heiline's Danciera] was eight. She's 12, and there's still a lot to do. Even though you're 12, you can still improve. That's what's so amazing, and that's why I'm still so much in love with the sport, because you can keep working on little details and major things."

Carina Cassoe Krüth (DEN)

Kasprzak and Addict de Massa were consistent throughout the weekend, finishing 10th in the Grand Prix and ninth in the Special. After finishing 11th in the Grand Prix, Zindroff and Thranegaardens Rostov finished fourth in the Freestyle. Both riders were pleased with the development of their horses.

"I could get used to this! [This team knows] each other very well, so it's been fun," Zindroff said. "I felt a little bit of pressure today, because I was the last rider. But it's great fun that we cheer each other and support each other."

Germany has taken over the series lead with 21 points, ahead of Sweden (16 points) and Denmark (15). The FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ continues at Budapest (HUN), 7-11 June 2023.

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

In this case, the horse Intruso del Reparo (FEI ID 106GW63/BRN), tested positive for the Banned Substance Boldenone following samples taken at the CEI1* 100 - Sakhir, Bahrain International Endurance Village (BRN), 8-10 December 2022.

The athlete, Albrahim Alyahya (FEI ID 10204085/KSA) and the trainer Khalifa Saad Sharida Mubarak (FEI ID 10043686/BRN) both admitted the rule violation and accepted the proposed consequences. In its final decisions the FEI Tribunal disqualified the athlete and horse combination from the event and imposed an eighteen-month ineligibility period on the athlete and the trainer; the provisional suspension each already served shall be credited against their imposed ineligibility period. They were each also fined CHF 5,000.

The full Consent Award for Albrahim Alyahya is available here.

The full Consent Award for Khalifa Saad Sharida Mubarak is available here.

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.

FEI Equine Prohibited Substances

The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are medications that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned 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.

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

 

The last 18 months have been nothing short of magical for Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann. He has not only competed at the highest level in the most important arenas around the world, but his partnership with King Edward has taken the 41-year-old rider to the top spot of every major podium the sport has to offer.

From Olympic Team Gold in Tokyo in 2021, to individual and team gold at the FEI Jumping World Championship 2022 in Herning (DEN), and now the ultimate indoor title with his recent win at the  Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals a few weeks ago in Omaha (USA), von Eckermann is setting the bar very high.

These outstanding performances have been integral to not only getting to the top spot of the Longines Rankings, to claim the white armband that only the number one can wear, but also generating an impressive lead. A lead which he has held since August 2022, when he dethroned Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, and has been further enhanced with frequent top three finishes with his other horses, such as Iliana, Calizi and Glamour Girl.

But the last update of the Longines Rankings (No. 268) shows just how dominant von Eckermann has been in the last 9 months. He is the number one with 3598 points, while Julien Epaillard remains in second, with 3005 points. That difference of 593 points between the top two athletes in the world is the widest gap registered in the last 14 years*.

These months have been an incredible experience for von Eckermann. “When I got the bracelet {Longines n1. armband}, my first thought was I really wanted to make sure I’m not the athlete that holds the top spot for the shortest period of time. I really wanted to stay on a little bit and not just give it away the next month. Afterwards, with the success we’ve had, I thought it would be nice to be number one for one year. So now, with this margin, that could be a goal, that could be possible. So I’m very happy about that,” explained the Swede.

The “500 points club”

While this gap of 593 points between first and second is the largest ever, there are two other athletes that have reached the number 1 of the Longines Rankings with a gap of more than 500 points. The first to achieve it was Britain’s Scott Brash, who did it twice, back in 2014, when he held the number one position with 561 points over compatriot Ben Maher, and 550 points over Ludger Beerbaum (GER) for just the one month.

The second athlete to break the 500-point barrier was Harrie Smolders (NED) in 2018, surpassing Brash’s achievement. The Dutchman was number 1 with 3388 points, while Peder Fredricson had 2826, a gap of 562 points. Five years later, von Eckermann has now joined the “500 points club”. His advantage of 593 points over Epaillard does beg the question if a whole new category – the “600 points club” – is on the horizon.

A Brilliant Partnership

None of the above could be explained without his sidekick, King Edward. The 13-year-old gelding came into von Eckermann’s life through his wife, Janika Sprunger (SUI), who acquired the gelding from a Belgian amateur rider. They started competing together in 2019.

With a height of 1.65 meters - relatively small for a Jumping Horse- King Edward has shown he’s up to any challenge. Even though Henrik von Eckermann has competed with five other horses over the last year, King Edward is the one for the big occasions.

“King Edward is first of all an exceptional horse”, says von Eckermann. But a brilliant horse is not enough to reach the top. “It’s the daily work, what we do. We work with the horses every day and for me the most important thing is I always try to listen to the horse, what it tells me”.

But Henrik also highlights the importance of his other horses and why it’s key to remain at the top of the Longines Rankings. “I have a fantastic group of horses now. Of course there’s King Edward, but the other horses are also doing a fantastic job. Like Glamour Girl winning three big classes in two shows. Going back to the ranking, that’s what makes the difference”.

No success without a plan

Von Eckermann is convinced that every-day work is the key to success. “I can’t talk to the horses, but that’s why it’s so important to be there every day and spend as much time as possible with the horses, to learn what they are trying to tell us, so we can find a balance between not doing too much and not doing too little," he says.

You need a good plan because in the end, even if they have great quality, if you want to have long-term success, you really have to listen to what the horse tells you. That's why it's important to keep working with them every day and to know your horse inside and out."

Added pressure?

For many, walking into a competition as the number one could bring extra pressure to perform at the best level, but that's not the case for the Swede. "The bracelet {Longines n1. armband} doesn't bring extra pressure. I try to enjoy the moment. I know this moment will not last forever. I always put pressure on myself when I go in the ring. I want to do the best ride that I can for the horse, to be able to be satisfied when I go out, knowing that I did everything that I could."

Paris 2024 on the horizon

So, what's next for Henrik von Eckermann? The answer is quite simple: the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The individual Olympic gold medal is the only one missing from his cabinet. "Of course, the next big, big goal is Paris. For King Edward, the big goal is the Olympics, even if it's a long time still, and many things can happen. But with more than one year to go, there's plenty to keep myself busy with. For the moment, I'm a little bit between indoor-outdoor, so I have to feel how the horses are on the grass to try to make the best plan for my horses. In the next few weeks, I will see a little bit what could fit my horses."

You can check the full Longines Rankings here

* The FEI Database only contains Jumping World Rankings from the last 14 years.

Photo caption: Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and King Edward at the FEI Jumping World Championship 2022 in Herning (DEN) - FEI / Leanjo de Koster

Following her stunning victory at the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2023 in Omaha (USA), Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) has reclaimed the top spot of the FEI Dressage World Ranking for Athletes, making her the new world number one with 2193 points.

Von Bredow-Werndl made a sensational return to top-level competition last October at the second FEI Dressage World Cup^TM 2022/2023 qualifier in Lyon (FRA) after a six-month maternity leave, winning  both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle test to a new French-themed musical score featuring Edith Piaf’s “Je ne regrette rien”.

Former number one, Charlotte Fry (GBR) now holds the second position in the rankings with 2080 points, after climbing to the top spot by earning three medals (two golds) at the FEI Dressage World Championship 2022 in Herning (DEN).

Isabell Werth (GER) remains third in the FEI Dressage World Ranking with 2058 points, while Nanna Skodborg has climbed to fourth position (1983 points) after earning a silver medal at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2023. This is the best ranking position in the career of the 30 years-old Dane.

The Netherland’s Dinja Van Liere closes the Top5 of the FEI Dressage World Ranking, dropping to fifth position with 1902 points, partly due to her withdrawal from the last World Cup Final.

Meanwhile, Carina Cassøe Krüth (DEN) has gone from fifth to sixth place with 1869 points, followed by Sweden’s Patrick Kittel, who remains in 7th position on 1838 points. Ingrid Klimke (GER) moves into 8th on 1832 points, having swapped places with Benjamin Werndl (GER) now 9th-ranked with 1810 points. Frederic Wandres (GER) closes the Top10 on 1793 points.

There is more good news for Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, as her horse TSF Dalera BB has also climbed to the number one of the FEI Dressage World Ranking for Horses. The German mare is now at the top of the table with 2193 points.

"It's a great feeling to be back at the top after the baby break. This is a great endorsement for our path", von Bredow-Werndl said.

Former number one Glamourdale - Charlotte Fry’s Stallion - is now 2^nd on 2047 points, while Isabell Werth’s Emilio 107 (1944 points) and DSP Quantaz (1917 points) are 3^rd and 4^th respectively. Carina Cassøe Krüth’s mare Heiline’s Danciera closes the top 5 on 1896 points.

You can check the FEI Rankings here

Photo caption: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) with TSF Dalera BB at the FEI Dressage World Cup^TM Final in Omaha (USA) - FEI/ Liz Gregg

As the second round of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Mexico winded down, a large amount of pressure was mounted on Laura Kraut's (USA) shoulders. If Kraut, last to go, produced a clear round, the United States would jump-off for victory against defending Champions, Mexico. 

Kraut would not only produce that critical clear effort aboard her championship partner Baloutinue, but she would also go on to secure the victory for her team in a two-horse jump-off with Mexico's Eugenio Garza Perez. She shared victory with Kent Farrington (Landon), Jessica Springsteen (Don Juan van de Donkhoeve) and Bliss Heers (Antidote de Mars).

Kraut and Baloutinue, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, produced the only double-clear over Benjamin Fernandez's (MEX) 1.60m track. In the jump-off, they were clear again, with a winning time of 39.43 seconds. Garza secured second for Mexico aboard Contago with a jump-off time of 42.13 seconds. Both teams finished the second round on total scores of 8 faults. Canada was third with 20 faults.

"When Laura went in for the second round, I said, 'We need two clear rounds out of you, starting now!' That wasn't counting her first one. We had already made that decision [that she would jump-off if she was clear]."

Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland (USA)

After the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Finals, Ridland entered the 2023 season with an aggressive strategy. He brought forward four of the country's best combinations to Mexico with an eye toward getting the better of the home nation, who had won four of the last five editions of the event on home soil. 

"This planning really happened at the beginning of the year. We knew what was ahead of us, long-range, to qualify for the [2024] Olympics in Paris, and this was a huge step to get there," Ridland said. "We needed to bring experience. We have some young riders in the mix as well, but we had to bring our 'A' team."

Three of the U.S.'s four team members are Olympic medalists, and each of those athletes—Kraut, Farrington, and Springsteen—delivered at least one clear round on the day. After the first round, the Americans led on a score of 4 faults, but rails from Springsteen and Heers in Round 2—and clear efforts from Garza Perez, Nicolas Pizarro (Pia Contra) and Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (Hortensia van de Leeuwerk)—leveled the playing field. 

In the jump-off, it was footspeed that proved to be the greatest difference-maker.  

"We watched Eugenio go, and as I was walking in the ring, Kent said, 'Your normal speed will be quick enough,'" Kraut said. "So when I started, I went maybe a touch quicker than my normal speed.

"I couldn't be happier with him. He's probably a horse of a lifetime," she added. "That's a big statement, because I've had some incredible horses."

The United States takes an early lead in the North and Central America and Caribbean division of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ with 100 points. Mexico sits second with 90 points, and Canada is third with 80 points. The division continues on 14 May 2023 in San Juan Capistrano (USA).   

FULL RESULTS

STANDINGS

The 11^th edition of the FEI Sports Forum 2023 wrapped up today in Lausanne after two days of intense discussions.

With the biggest turnout ever experienced at a Sports Forum, the second day of sessions further confirmed and highlighted the equestrian community’s desire to work together and to find solutions that would be beneficial to all the stakeholder groups, with the wellbeing of the horse and the future of the sport at the heart of all considerations.

“What we have seen over these past days is a real commitment to community-led change but also accountability”, said FEI President Ingmar De Vos.

“We are all in this together, and the discussions and healthy debate at this year’s Sports Forum is a testament to this collective responsibility we all share with regards to our horses, our sport, our industry and especially the legacy we want to leave for the next generations of equestrians.”

The day began with a session dedicated to the Cost of Jumping Events with representatives from all the key stakeholder groups, namely François Mathy Jr (BEL) and Gaj Riossa (SLO) representing the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), Peter Bollen (BEL) and Ian Allison representing Equestrian Organisers (EO), Dominique Mégret (FRA) from the Jumping Owners Club (JOC), and Ali Küçük (TUR) from  the International Jumping Officials Club (IJOC).

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez opened and went on to moderate the session, with FEI CFO Claude Praz providing a detailed overview of the financial situation around Prize Money requirements, including the current discrepancy in the conversion system. A new proposed system for 2024 was presented which would see the FEI break away from CHF, and establish the EUR as the new base currency, with the USD as the second currency, and set at today’s exchange rate of 1.10. A second proposal around the introduction of a minimum prize money requirement for CSI1* also generated significant debate which for most regions outside of Western Europe and the US was deemed unrealistic. Concerns which were addressed by the FEI Jumping Committee Chair Stephan Ellenbruch, reassuring the delegates that the FEI Jumping Committee would seek to find solutions that are relevant to all regions of the world.

Entry fees and the costs associated with rising mandatory fees were also raised, with youth and accessibility to the sport key to the discussion. For the panellists and the delegates, these discussions were essential and ultimately required each and every stakeholder group to ask themselves what they wanted for the sport, the future of the sport and the accessibility for young riders and developing equestrian nations in the upper echelons of the sport. The FEI Secretary General concluded the session noting that a dedicated Working group involving all the stakeholders would be created to take discussions further and find sustainable solutions.

Second on the agenda were the Key Event Requirements led by FEI Director of Games Operations Tim Hadaway. He opened the Session with an overview and background to the FEI Event Standards project, which included a mapping exercise and a survey, with the results presented at the FEI Sports Forum last year, namely 14 Key Event Requirements (KERs).

These are: 1) Event Biosecurity; 2) Veterinary Services & Facilities; 3) Stable Cleanliness and Disinfection; 4) Stable Security & Access Control; 5) Stable Size; 6) Stable Ventilation; 7) Drinking Water for Horses in Stables; 8) Fire Precautions & Safety Procedures in Stables; 9) Stable Area Circulation; 10) Horse Inspection; 11) Medical Services; 12) Field of Play; 13) Adequate Availability to Training/Schooling; 14) Footing.

The presentation showed that the vast majority of the KERs (1-10) identified were related to horse welfare and horse & human safety, and were already covered under the FEI Veterinary Regulations. Medical services (KER 11) is covered under the FEI General Regulations, while Field of Play, Adequate Availability to Training/Schooling, and Footing (KERs 12, 13, and 14) were covered under the specific regulations for FEI Disciplines.

The last session of the FEI Sports Forum 2023 was dedicated to the FEI Endurance Rules, which this year are undergoing full revision.

The session included a presentation of the main proposals made by a panel consisting of the Chair of the FEI Endurance Committee Christian Lozano (FRA), Deputy Chair Dr Sarah Coombs (GBR), and FEI Endurance Director Christina Abu-Dayyeh.

“This process has attracted strong interest from the community and proposed rule changes have been received from over 20 National Federations,” Christian Lozano said in his introduction. “We are always seeking to improve and better protect horse welfare as well as find systems to reward positive action. The modifications presented today go in that direction.”

The feedback received from the Sports Forum delegates was taken on board by the FEI Endurance Committee and Headquarters and work to finalise the proposed rule changes and put them forward to the vote of the General Assembly, which will take place in November 2023, will continue in accordance with the FEI Rules Revision Policy.

Key links from Day 2:

Session 4: Cost of Jumping Events, open discussion with the Athletes, Owners, Officials and Organisers

Session 5: FEI Key Events Requirements

Session 6: FEI Endurance Rules Revision

All the information from the FEI Sports Forum 2023, including summaries, presentations, lists of speakers, and recorded livestreams of the sessions are available in the dedicated online hub.

Photographs from the day can be downloaded from the FEI’s Flickr account.

Detailed summaries for each session will be published in the hub by mid-May.

The first day of the FEI Sports Forum 2023, which opened today in Lausanne, was one of lively debate and energetic exchanges.

FEI President Ingmar De Vos opened the FEI Sports Forum, setting the tone for the day and reiterating the purpose and scope of the discussions ahead. “It is hard to quantify just how much influence the Sports Forum has had since it was launched in 2012, but there is no doubt that community consultation has become the norm. We have had a lot of important discussions in this room here in IMD that have gone on to become important decisions,” he said. To illustrate this point, the FEI President itemised an extensive list of consultative forums, seminars and meetings held so far in 2023 with the different stakeholders groups, referring to a “constant state of consultation” and how this was integral to the way the FEI operated and the community’s ability to overcome challenges.

The President emphasised that there was always more that could be done, and encouraged all the delegates predominantly made up of National Federation and Stakeholder Association representatives to acknowledge the concerns of the community, and to work together to further improve the representation of our organisations, by ensuring “there is an honest, open and constructive dialogue” with all stakeholders. He reminded the delegates that this was a process, and that, “we need to accept and support the outcomes from the different consultations, because it is ultimately our collective ability to join forces and to adapt to changing environments that will help secure a successful and sustainable future for our sport.”

In his final opening remarks, he highlighted the importance of the interim report to be delivered by the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission. “The future of our sport and the success of the equine industry depends on all of us individually and collectively taking our responsibilities and demonstrating in everything that we do that we value this relationship above all and will always prioritise the health and happiness of our horses - above all.”

The FEI President then went on to introduce and welcome Professor Cairns-Lee, an Affiliate Professor of Leadership and Communication at IMD known for her award winning research on learning and leadership including the development of self-awareness, authenticity and sense making.

Professor Cairns-Lee focused her speech around two key themes, namely the evolution of society, changing expectations and what this means for an industry or a community, as well as how language reflects values and its importance in establishing partnerships based on dialogue.

“The key to optimal stakeholder engagement is transparent and collaborative consultation and communication. This starts with openhearted conversations that require a willingness to be curious about differences, the courage to embrace different perspectives and a commitment to an intentional use of language to frame effective dialogue and shift societal narratives.”

In Session 1, the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing (EEWB) Commission put forward 24 draft recommendations to ensure a good life for horses in equestrian sport. The recommendations – which include measures that the FEI and the wider equestrian community can take to achieve higher standards of horse welfare through individual and collective responsibility, trust, transparency, reactiveness and independent evaluation – generated an enthusiastic level of discussion and feedback in the discussions that followed. This was the first time the EEWB Commission have held in-person consultations with the wider equestrian community on its work and findings, since it was created by the FEI in June 2022.

“The Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission’s proposal for a welfare-centric FEI vision for sustaining equine participation in sport now and into the future, aims to address ethical concerns related to equine involvement in sport as well as during a horse’s lifetime,” Chair of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission Professor Natalie Waran said.

“We hope that the vision of a Good Life for Horses, and the associated draft recommendations, which have been informed through research and engagement with the equestrian community and the public, will help inform and inspire a positive direction, and we look forward to engaging further at the FEI Sports Forum. Through accepting this vision for the future, we believe the FEI will have a solid starting point to effect real change in equestrian sports’ mindset and practices.

“This vision and these draft recommendations, as well as the FEI Charter, are just a starting point to affect change across equestrianism. They have been created primarily around the concept of providing our horses with a good life and the responsibility we all have to deliver on that. This will require the long-term commitment of not just the FEI, but all who want horse sports to have a bright future.”

In Monday’s second session, entitled ‘TechQuestrian – Going for Gold’, the FEI’s Technology and Sports Services (TSS) department presented a wealth of technology enhancements across 10 of the FEI’s 36 digital platforms. Highlights included the announcement of the highly anticipated launch in May of the Online Schedules for Jumping; the progressive roll-out of Equine Influenza vaccination recording for all FEI horses using the FEI HorseApp; and lastly the newly developed TackApp which recently went live, and is projected to become the destination for all pieces of tack and equipment related to horses and athletes for all FEI disciplines.

And finally, the TSS team revealed a final development, a new FEI Hub where fans and stakeholders could access all of the FEI’s 36 online platforms in one location. .

The third and final session of the day provided delegates with a comprehensive update on Paris 2024 followed by a Q & A. Sports Cluster Manager from the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, Anne Murac, alongside GL Events Equestrian Sport President, Sylvie Robert and Equestrian and Para Equestrian Sport Manager for Paris 2024, Jean Morel updated the delegates on various elements of the planning process. Detailed venue maps outlining all the key functional areas, athlete and grooms accommodation, stabling and access points as well as dates and details for the next operational test event in Versailles, the forthcoming test event in Fontainebleau where all sports infrastructures will be replicated, were among the themes covered. A detailed wrap up is available in the FEI Sports Forum Hub.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez wrapped up the day with a brief summary from all the sessions, as well as the key topics and themes covered.

Key links for Day 1:

Opening by the FEI President and IMD representative (contains summary of speeches, full texts of the FEI President’s speech, presentation by Dr Cairs-Lee, speakers’ biographies)

Session 1: Interim Report from the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (contains session summary and documents library)

Session 2: TechQuestrian: going for gold  (contains session summary and documents library)

Session 3: Paris 2024 Update Report

Press release: A ‘Good Life for Horses’ opens first day of FEI Sports Forum discussions

Press release: FEI Tech Goes for Gold at FEI Sports Forum

For all the information on the FEI Sports Forum 2023, please visit the dedicated online hub.

Photographs can be downloaded from the FEI’s Flickr account.The FEI Sports Forum 2023 continues on Tuesday, 25 April.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) is no stranger to technological innovation, which was recently evidenced by it’s placement on the 2022 sports technology power list, so it was fitting that it showcased no fewer than 10 of its latest innovative digital platforms at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne today, demonstrating its commitment to preparing athletes and horses from grassroots to the highest level of the sport.  

In the second session of the day, entitled ‘TechQuestrian – Going for Gold’, the FEI’s Technology and Sports Services (TSS) department presented a wealth of technology enhancements to the delegates. They highlighted their digital solutions, including the FEI World Challenges platform, FEI Database, and FEI HorseApp, in an entertaining and interactive way, engaging the audience from the start with a quiz, with questions interspersed throughout the session. 

Some of the new features presented include comprehensive horse registration data protocols, horse document management and vaccination recording, tools which aim to simplify and provide efficient processes for National Federations, horse owners and athletes. 

Updates to the FEI Entry and Invitation systems were also introduced, and the much-awaited launch in May of the online schedule for Jumping. These updates will streamline the management of competitions and entries, making it easier for organisers and participants to navigate the scheduling and registration process.

Vaccination Recording

One of the highlights of the session was the announcement of a progressive roll-out of Equine Influenza vaccination recording for all FEI horses using the FEI HorseApp. 

This important initiative is aimed at enhancing horse health management and biosecurity measures in accordance with FEI regulations. To this end, the FEI is currently working on a new feature for the existing HorseApp that will help Veterinarians and horse-owners better manage and keep track of all vaccination requirements.

With this new system, FEI Veterinarians will be able to enter vaccination information directly into the app, and also access information on the vaccination status of any horse at an event, including details such as administration date, batch number and validity. 

In order to address connectivity issues at stables and events, the FEI announced they are working on an ‘offline mode’ feature, meaning it can be used without Internet access with all information synched with the database when connected again. This will first launch with the new vaccination module and later spread to the other HorseApp functionalities. 

There will be a pilot phase in 2023 and a progressive rollout throughout 2024, with all FEI horses projected to have influenza vaccination details on the HorseApp by 2025.

The FEI RuleApp and the newly launched FEI TackApp were also introduced as key resources for athletes, their Support Personnel, FEI Officials and horse owners, providing easy access to information on tack and equipment for FEI disciplines, outlining what is permitted or not permitted at FEI competitions.

FEI Tack App

In particular, the FEI TackApp was launched as the go-to destination for all pieces of tack and equipment related to horses and athletes for all FEI disciplines. The app - which was created with the input of the FEI Equipment Expert Group - is a living platform that will continuously be updated with the latest information, provides a comprehensive, user-friendly database of tack and equipment, making it convenient for athletes to ensure compliance with FEI regulations.

The purpose of the app is to make the equipment, tack and dress guidelines easily available in a friendly manner for all the equestrian community, which will be another positive step for horses’ well-being and athletes’ safety all around the world. Athletes, grooms, FEI Officials and other stakeholders can use the app to check if a specific piece of equipment, tack or dress is permitted or not at FEI Events.

Tying all this new innovation together is the brand new FEI Hub, which was unveiled as a central place where users can access all FEI online platforms, providing a seamless and convenient experience for the equestrian community. With a user-friendly layout that’s based on the periodic table of the elements, it showcases all the platforms and apps in the fei.org ecosystem.

"We were thrilled to showcase our latest platforms and initiatives at the Sport Forum," said Gaspard Dufour (FRA), Director of Technology and Sport Services. 

"These cutting-edge tools and resources are designed to support our athletes at every level of the sport, and we are committed to providing innovative solutions that promote horse welfare and streamline processes. It's all about making our sport better for everyone involved, and we are excited about the possibilities these new platforms bring."

The FEI invited all participants at the Sport Forum to visit the app marketplaces for iOS and Android to download the apps and experience them for themselves.

For more information, please visit hub.fei.org.
 

The 24 draft recommendations put forward by the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing (EEWB) Commission to ensure a good life for horses in equestrian sport, have received strong support from delegates attending the annual FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne today.

The recommendations – which include measures that the FEI and the wider equestrian community can take to achieve higher standards of horse welfare through individual and  collective responsibility, trust, transparency, reactiveness and independent evaluation – generated an enthusiastic level of discussion and feedback in the opening sessions of the two-day gathering. This is the first time the EEWB Commission have held in-person consultations with the wider equestrian community on its work and findings, since it was created by the FEI in June 2022.

“I am confident that I speak for each and every one of us in the equestrian community when I say that at heart, all we want is what is best for our equine partners,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The horse-human connection runs deep. It is a centuries old relationship which has evolved from horses playing vital roles in society in the past, to now, where equines are valued for the deep companionship they provide to humans. This bond between human and animal is built on mutual trust and respect, and as equestrians it is a connection which we sometimes take for granted.

“If our relationship with horses, and consequently our sport, is to stand the test of time, we need to re-affirm the essence of our relationship with horses, and assure a good life for our equine partners with a tangible course of action. 

“Under the leadership of Dr. Natalie Waran, the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission has come up with a set of draft recommendations that the FEI and the equestrian community now have for consideration and we hope that this process will serve to strengthen our Social Licence to Operate by reaffirming the public’s trust in what we do.”

Following feedback from delegates during the FEI Sports Forum, the Commission will present all proposed recommendations to the FEI Board for approval, before the FEI General Assembly that will be held in Mexico City (MEX) in November.

The purpose of the Commission’s work is to independently consider issues of public and equestrian concern that may affect ongoing social acceptance of the involvement of horses in sport. Specifically, the Commission was tasked with providing independent advice and recommendations to the FEI for ensuring equine welfare is safeguarded through ethical, evidence-based policy and practices in relation to training, management, performance and competition practices, and to improve the sport’s social license to operate (SLO).

The Commission’s first presentation to the FEI General Assembly in Cape Town in November 2022 addressed the need for change and outlined the role of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission as ‘critical friends’. Delegates were provided with the results of two large scale surveys commissioned by the EEWB (one of public opinion and one of equestrian opinion), and an outline of the work that was being done to develop a strategic approach for addressing the main priority areas of equine welfare.

See also: A Good Life for Horses: A vision for ensuring the future involvement of horses in sport

“The Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission’s proposal for a welfare-centric FEI vision for sustaining equine participation in sport now and into the future, aims to address ethical concerns related to equine involvement in sport as well as during a horse’s lifetime,” Chair of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission Professor Natalie Waran said. 

“We hope that the vision of a Good Life for Horses, and the associated draft recommendations, which have been informed through research and engagement with the equestrian community and the public, will help inform and inspire a positive direction, and we look forward to engaging further at the FEI Sports Forum. Through accepting this vision for the future, we believe the FEI will have a solid starting point to effect real change in equestrian sports’ mindset and practices.

“This vision and these draft recommendations, as well as the FEI Charter, are just a starting point to affect change across equestrianism. They have been created primarily around the concept of providing our horses with a good life and the responsibility we all have to deliver on that. This will require the long-term commitment of not just the FEI, but all who want horse sports to have a bright future.”

Key links

• Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission
• Summary of Session 1 – FEI Sports Forum 2023: Interim Report from the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (Will be uploaded shortly)

Photo Caption: FEI Sports Forum 2023. Interim Report from the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission. Professor Dr Nathalie Waran (NZL), Professor Dr Kathalijne Visser (NED), Dr Camie Heleski (USA), Professor Madeleine Campbell (GBR), Ms Jessica Stark (GBR),  Theo Ploegmakers and Moderator: Ms Grania Willis (IRL) - FEI/Richard Juilliart