Organising FEI Events

The session on FEI event hosting, led by Áine Power from the FEI Legal Department, aimed to address the growing challenges faced by organisers in bidding for and hosting FEI Championships, with a particular focus on Para Dressage.

The session provided a platform for open discussion with a diverse group of stakeholders, including athletes, organisers, and national federations, to better understand the barriers and identify potential solutions to enhance the attractiveness and feasibility of hosting such events.

DECLINING INTEREST
A key issue raised was the declining interest from organisers in bidding for major championships, such as the FEI World and European Championships. This reluctance is attributed to several factors, including financial constraints, high logistical demands, and unpredictable participation numbers.

While the FEI has seen a positive recovery in CPEDI events since the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation for major championships remains precarious, often with only one or two bids being submitted. This poses a significant risk, as unexpected changes, such as government funding withdrawal, can cause bids to collapse.

The FEI’s bidding process involves several phases: the opening of the bid process, an initial review by FEI headquarters and the relevant discipline committee, and consultation with the European Equestrian Federation for European Championships. This is followed by the establishment of a host agreement between the FEI, the national federation, and the organiser. The final decision is made by the FEI Board, after which the preparation and planning phase commences, leading to the execution of the Championships.

Financial considerations were a major focus of the discussion. For FEI World Championships, Longines, the FEI’s top sponsor, is the guaranteed official timekeeper and provides a significant financial contribution, which is passed directly to the Organiser. Despite this, the costs associated with hosting Officials, Judges, Classifiers, and support personnel often outweigh the financial support provided. For FEI European Championships, Longines, holds the right of first refusal for title sponsorship and often opts to support Jumping. This means there is no guaranteed sponsorship contribution from Longines to the other disciplines, such as Para Dressage.

Entry fees, such as €1,000 per horse, can help offset costs, but Organisers face financial uncertainty due to fluctuating entry numbers and the need to secure accommodation and facilities in advance. The impact of rule changes which can impose additional financial burdens on Organisers was raised and the need to consult with Organisers before introducing such changes was highlighted.

PRIZE MONEY
Currently, there is no minimum prize money requirement for European Championships, while World Championships require a minimum of €50,000.

Athletes and Organisers advocated for the introduction of minimum prize money to ensure fairness and professionalism. They argued that Para Dressage athletes should be treated equally to non-disabled athletes, especially as they pay the same entry fees. However, concerns were raised that imposing a minimum prize money requirement could further deter potential organisers due to increased financial pressure.

HIGH COST OF HOSTING OFFICIALS AND JUDGES
For European Championships, six judges are required, while World Championships require eight. This results in significant expenses for travel, accommodation, and per diems. A JSP is only used for the Paralympic Games.

Organisers proposed reducing the number of officials or integrating national-level judges to mitigate costs. Additionally, the cost of classifiers was highlighted as a major burden, particularly when Classifiers are present without any athletes requiring classification. Organisers questioned whether the FEI could cover the cost of classifiers or provide alternative funding solutions.

The responsibility for covering the accommodation and meal expenses of athletes support personnel was also debated. This requirement, introduced in 2023, was described as a significant financial burden for organisers. While the FEI has reduced hosting fees by 50% to alleviate some costs, this reduction does not apply to Para Dressage, where no hosting fee is charged.

An example was brought forward for international cost-sharing models, such as the Nordic-Baltic agreement, where each participating country covers the cost of two officials, with the organiser only responsible for meals and accommodation.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The session also explored the potential benefits of combining Para Dressage with other disciplines, such as Dressage or Jumping, to leverage economies of scale and increase visibility.

While athletes and organisers acknowledged the advantages of shared infrastructure and increased audience exposure, some expressed concerns that Para Dressage could be side-lined or receive less attention. The example of the 2023 European Championships, where Para Dressage was combined with Dressage and Jumping in Riesenbeck, was cited as a positive experience. However, the 2025 Para Dressage European Championship will be a standalone event in the Netherlands due to limited bids for combined events.

The feasibility of hosting Para Dressage Championships indoors was also discussed. While some organisers supported the idea to reduce costs and avoid weather-related disruptions, athletes expressed reservations. They argued that competing indoors would be inconsistent with their preparation for outdoor events in the same season, as the majority of CPEDIs are held outdoors. However, the idea remains open for future consideration, especially in regions with existing indoor facilities.

Presenter
♦ Áine Power - FEI Deputy Director, Legal