Dear Readers,
Welcome to the FEI Annual Report 2023!
Each year, together, we revisit the milestones and highlights of the past 12 months, allowing us to gain a clearer understanding of where our sport is headed and to identify areas of improvement for the future.
2023 was another challenging year of global instability, with devastating conflicts around the world, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Palestine. It is important that during such times we stand strong as a community, a sport and an international governing body, and that we support our global equestrian family and related horse populations in the best way we can.
These unpredictable and overwhelming situations are an unfortunate reminder of just how important it is to have FEI Solidarity Programmes and an Emergency Relief Fund in place so that we can provide support to the members of our community during difficult times, and be there when the time comes to rebuild. You can read all about the initiatives put in place as well as the various development programmes and fundraising in the dedicated FEI Solidarity section.
Good governance and earning the trust of the community is another crucial ingredient in maintaining our sport’s social licence to operate and, together, we have created a solid foundation where the expectations in terms of governance are high, and in which we all understand the role we have to play. The FEI Governance Highlights section of this Annual Report provides a clear overview of the main developments in 2023.
With horse welfare at the heart of all our undertakings, we decided to dedicate a full section of the FEI Annual Report 2022 to our four-legged partner. In FEI World of Horse we look back on the major developments and achievements of 2023 around the well-being of horses. In this section you will have the opportunity to read up on the Final Report of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission and on the latest developments for Grooms, who are such an essential ingredient when it comes to Horse Welfare.
In an ever-changing economic landscape where uncertainty in the global market has become the new norm, we can say that after a difficult 2022, we remain financially healthy. Nevertheless, we must be vigilant and ready to adapt to any future developments, which is why we put in place an internal audit to look at our revenues and expenses and to ensure that we have a sustainable operational budget into the future. Our FEI Financial Report provides a detailed insight into our finances for 2023.
And now, let’s talk sport!
We had 4,774 Events in 2023, an increase on 2019 which shows that we have successfully recovered from the challenges brought about by both the Covid-19 pandemic and the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe. Additionally, from 2022 to 2023, we witnessed a 5% increase in FEI Events, an unprecedented growth in the last decade and an important milestone. If you want to take a closer look at our numbers, you will find them all in the FEI Facts & Figures section.
From a sporting perspective, 2023 was a very important year, especially for the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines in the build up to Paris 2024. As always, athletes and horses had to be at the top of their game and, whether it be at World and continental Championships for seniors, youth, young horses, Nations Cup qualifiers, Finals or designated Olympic qualifying events for the different Regional Groups, they did not disappoint.
We experienced many highlights, such as the FEI World Cup™ Finals and the FEI European Championships, and we also saw new nations take a spot on the podium at the Asian and Pan American Games. You can look back on all the events that made 2023 another rich and memorable year for our sport in the dedicated FEI World of Sport section.
In 2023, together with the ongoing loyal support of Longines and the passion of the Jumping community, we took the decision to revamp the historic FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ and to create the brand new Longines League of Nations™, with the first competitions at the beginning of 2024.
Reflecting on the above, it once again becomes clear that none of this would be possible without the collective desire to make our sport the best it can be. I would like to extend my gratitude to all our member National Federations and the FEI Board and Committee Members for their ongoing, valuable input and drive. Thank you also to all the Officials, Organisers, Athletes, Horse Owners, Grooms, Veterinarians and support teams who make up our equestrian community. Thank you for supporting us and thank you for challenging us to always aim higher.
I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to our partners and sponsors, especially the FEI’s Top Partner Longines, for their ongoing support and collaborative vision in showcasing the best of our sport. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to the future accomplishments we will achieve together.
Last but not least, thank you to our invaluable staff at FEI Headquarters, led by FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, for their ongoing efforts and commitment to our sport.
I believe my words have given you an overall insight into the essentials of 2023 and now I invite you to explore the details of this Annual Report by scrolling through the various sections at your own pace. I hope you will have the same pleasure delving back into the most memorable moments of 2023 as I did.
Ingmar De Vos
FEI President
