Launched in 2011, FEI Solidarity promotes and develops equestrian culture and sport worldwide in a sustainable and structured way. We collaborate closely with over 40 Technical Experts and work directly with the FEI’s member National Federations and recognised Continental Associations by providing the tools, the knowledge and the infrastructure required to develop the sport and nurture talent from grassroots to the world stage.

FEI Solidarity support is focussed on four key pillars of activity and three types of assistance with specific programmes available in each of the pillars in order to best target and fulfil specific development needs.

INCREASING THE SCOPE // SINCE 2012…

In 2019, the majority of the projects focussed on the ATHLETE and NATIONAL FEDERATION pillars.   

2019 FEI Solidarity assistance by pillar

*These figures include funds allocated to National Federation projects as well as development-related assistance and areas such as grassroots events and series, education, IT and horse transport/quarantine.

2019 Highlights

With 71 projects approved in 2019, and over 39 National Federations involved, we’ve made a selection of some of the highlights from the year, focussing on each of the four FEI Solidarity pillars (Athlete, Coach, National Federation, Values). From a new continental Talent Identification programme in view of YOG 2022 in Dakar (SEN), to National Coaching Systems, IT infrastructures and training programmes for grooms and farriers, FEI Solidarity is dedicated to building the sport from grassroots up. Click on any of the four pillars below for more information or visit Inside.fei.org for all the latest news from FEI Solidarity.

We’ve also decided to shine a spotlight on other programmes which combine our efforts at FEI Solidarity and show the inter-connectedness of all development initiatives. The first is on Iran, where we look at several programmes which have and are taking place and the second spotlight is on one of our key development tools – the FEI Challenge series – which provides Athletes, National Federations, Coaches and Officials with the perfect testing ground for international competition in their own countries.

Spotlight on Iran

Development never happens in a vacuum and there is no one model fits all, so often we find that we are operating at several levels and across several pillars in a particular country. From Coach Education, therapeutic riding to Para Dressage, ESEEs in Dressage and Pony Club structures, the National Federation of Iran has been extremely proactive in the development of equestrian sport with the support of FEI Solidarity. We paid them a visit in 2019 to see just how the sport is developing and how the tools, the expertise and the FEI Solidarity Tutors have helped them develop the sport and build solid foundations for the future.

FEI Dressage World Challenge series 2019

Spotlight on the FEI World Challenge Series

FEI Solidarity works alongside the FEI’s Sport Departments in order to offer developing National Federations solutions to develop international activity locally and provide their athletes, officials and organisers with the opportunity to experience an international competition setting.

With this in mind, the Challenge series was created over three decades ago in both Jumping and Dressage, and purposefully provides that link between the National and first International level of competition.

Ideal for development and youth, Vaulting will soon be added to the FEI Challenge series portfolio, set to begin in 2020/2021 – watch this space!

FEI Jumping World Challenge series 2019

The FEI Jumping World Challenge FINAL 2019 took place in Quito, Ecuador from 10-15 September and welcomed 21 Athletes from 16 nationalities. The athletes were paired up with their mounts upon arrival in Ecuador as the competition is run on borrowed horses, and over the course of a few days got to know their horses and compete for the FEI Jumping Challenge title 2019!

The top ten from the first competition went through to the final, in which everyone started from scratch. It was a final filled with suspense as favourites were eliminated and poles fell to the ground, shuffling around the playing field until the last minute. In the end, it was Dominican Republic’s Giorgia Ieromazzo who was able to take home the victory with a brilliant double clear on Magnus Jarea. New Zealand’s Christine Cornege and Palugo took silver while South Africa’s Matthiew Morrison took the bronze together with Waldo.   

The National Federation and organisers at the Club Rancho San Francisco went above and beyond making this an unforgettable experience for all the participants involved.

The 2019 winners were…

Intermediate I

Prix St-Georges

Senior II Class

Senior I Class

Youth Class

Team Classification

Full results from the FEI Dressage World Challenge 2019 can be found here.