National Federation's affiliation process

INTRODUCTION

There are 136 Full Member National Federations affiliated to the FEI and 1 Associate Member National Federation . Each National Federation (NF) is the sole authority (besides the FEI itself) for FEI equestrian disciplines in the country where it is located.

The FEI works in conjunction with the National Federation of each country member to regulate and govern the equestrian disciplines recognised by the FEI. FEI Membership is open to the one national governing body from any country which is effectively in control of or is in a position to effectively control at least the Olympic equestrian disciplines,supported by its National Olympic Committee.


All affiliated countries are published on FEI Database, to view all details click here.
FULL MEMBERS & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

As from the FEI General Assembly 2021, there exist 2 categories of Members defined in Article 5 of the FEI Statutes:

- FULL MEMBERS: are (i) those members who were members on 12 November 2021; and (ii) those Associate Members who having fulfilled the development goals established by the FEI Board are granted full membership status by the General Assembly. Full Membership confers upon a National Federation full rights as per the FEI Rules and Regulations. 

- ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: are those prospective National Federations that, having met all requirements to become a member of the FEI according to a process established by the Secretary General and approved by the Board, are granted this status by the General Assembly. Associate membership confers upon a National Federation the following rights:  

  • Host and participate in international equestrian Events under and according to the FEI Rules and Regulations;  
  • Right to attend the General Assembly, Regional Group and any other FEI official meetings;  
  • Right to receive FEI Solidarity Funds, subject to the FEI solidarity programme during the first 3 years as associate member;  
  • Right to become a full member subject to the fulfilment of the development goals as established by the FEI. 

Consequently, a National Federation that wants to become a Member of the FEI will first become an Associate Member. Once the Associate Member fulfill the Development Goals it qualify to be submitted to the FEI General Assembly ot be accepted as Full Member.
WHY TO BECOME AN FEI AFFILIATE ?

By becoming an FEI Affiliate, NFs have the right to host international equestrian events under and according to FEI Statutes, General Regulations and Sport Rules. It also gives the right to attend and vote at the annual General Assembly and to benefit from FEI's development programmes aiming at promoting the sport. They are permitted to participate at world and continental championships, to propose amendments to official rules or submit proposals for new rules through the Technical Committees concerned. They receive or have access to current information relevant to equestrian sport and its management as outlined by the FEI.
HOW TO APPLY FOR FEI ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Any national equestrian structure applying for affiliation as a National Federation (NF) shall file an application with the FEI demonstrating that the applicant fulfils all conditions set for FEI membership. The application process will include the following steps:
Step 1 – OPENING OF AFFILIATION PROCESS
1.1. The Applicant initiates the process by sending a Letter of Motivation to the FEI Secretary General with copy to the Director of Governance & Institutional Affairs. 

1.2. The FEI will acknowledge receipt of the Apllication and iniatiate the FEI Membership Affiliation Process.
Step 2 – VERIFICATION

2.1. The Applicant shall fill in the FEI Membership Affiliation Questionnaire.  In order to continue the process the Applicant has must fulfilled the compulsory minimum requirements mentioned in Section 1 of the Questionnaire. 

2.2. The Applicant to provide with a number of documents as defined in the Questionnaire.

2.3. Possibility for the FEI to request for complementary information/adjustments in the Questionnaire.

2.4. If the Membership Affiliation Process is not to be continued the FEI will provide the Applicat with a letter with reasons for rejecting the application.

Step 3 – INSPECTION VISIT

3.1. When the compulsory information and documentation has been provided, a visit to the Applicant country, offices and facilities will be done by FEI representatives (which may include the Chair of the FEI Regional Group of the Applicant).

3.2. Following the visit, a report will be submitted by the FEI representatives to the FEI. 
Step 4 – DECISION PROCESS

4.1. The FEI Secretary General will provide the FEI Board with the full dossier for its evaluation and decision.

4.2. In exceptional circumstances, the Board may grant membership to an Applicant but only on a provisional basis until the next General Assembly and without the right to vote.

4.3. If the Board is satisfied that the Applicant meets all requirements to become a member of the FEI, it will submit the application for decision to the next General Assembly.

4.4. FEI General Assembly will take a decision for the affiliation of the Applicant.

4.5. If the application is accepted by the FEI General Assembly, the FEI will classify the applicant in the NFs Classification Chart, including setting of fee and Regional Group membership.

4.6. If the Membership Affiliation Process is not to be continued at any moment of this Step 4, a letter to the Applicant will be written with reasons for rejecting its application.

Step 5 – WELCOME TO THE NEW FEI NATIONAL FEDERATION MEMBER

5.1. A visit to the FEI Headquarters by the National Federation President and/or Secretary General may be organised: introduction to FEI procedures / departments.

5.2. The National Federation President or Secretary General may be invited to the FEI Course for National Federations’ Administrators.
 
For any additional information on how to become an FEI member Federation, please contact our FEI Director of Governance & Institutional Affairs.
 
FEI ASSOCIATE MEMBERS DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The FEI Board, as its Teleconference on 22 March 2022 approved the FEI Associate Members Development Goals.
REGIONAL GROUPS

NFs are organised into 8 Regional Groups. Their role is to promote and coordinate the development and the activities of equestrian sport within the Group area. They deal with matters of common interest to NFs in their Group and bring these to the attention of the FEI Bureau and General Assembly through their NFs; they present the Nominations Committee with candidates for eligibility to serve on Standings Committees.


The composition of Regional Groups is available here.
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