Session 4: FEI Jumping Rules full revision

Monday, 31 March, 16.15 - 17.45

Session 4 offered the opportunity to review and discuss the main proposals currently under consideration as part of this year’s full revision of the FEI Jumping Rules, with the process and timelines being outlined by FEI Jumping Director Todd Hinde (AUS) prior to the start of discussions.

Hinde also informed delegates that in a bid to make the rules revision smoother, the Jumping Department has hired Lauren Page of London-based international law firm Bird & Bird to assist the process.

While the current rule book is functional, there is room for improvement in terms of clarity, structure, and the elimination of unnecessary or overly detailed regulations. The process is not expected to bring about a revolution, but rather incremental improvements to make the rules easier to understand and apply.

The discussion session that followed was moderated by Chair of the FEI Athletes Committee, Jessica Kürten (IRL). She was joined on stage by Hinde, Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee Stephan Ellenbruch (GER), along with key representatives from across the Jumping community: IJRC President François Mathy Jr (BEL); Swedish Chef d’Équipe Henrik Ankarcrona (SWE); PAEC President, FEI Judge Level 4 and FEI Steward Level 4 Cesar Hirsch (VEN); and Organiser of Jumping Amsterdam Irene Verheul (NED).

The key points of discussion were the rules around blood on the horse, hours of rest, special competitions, young horses and Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) for star-level events.

Article 241.3 – Blood on the Flanks: Article 241.3, which covers situations where a horse is found to have blood on its flanks, was introduced to uphold equine welfare and fair play, and its positive impact has been widely acknowledged.

While the community recognises that the overall impact has been positive, some stakeholders have raised concerns about ambiguity in its application and inconsistency in the severity of the sanctions imposed. Several participants emphasised the need for uniform application of the rule worldwide, supported by comprehensive education for stewards and officials.

There is a growing consensus on the need to review the rule’s sanctions to achieve a more proportionate approach. Proposals include shifting from immediate elimination to a graduated system, starting with a warning, followed by a yellow card, and potentially a suspension for repeat or severe offences. This approach would aim to balance the rule's protective intent with fairness, ensuring that riders face sanctions proportionate to the offence while also addressing concerns over equine welfare. Additional suggestions included involving veterinary checks and clearer protocols for less experienced stewards.

Hours of rest: Ensuring adequate rest is essential for the welfare, safety, and performance of horses, athletes, grooms, and officials. Although this issue has been widely debated among stakeholders and in the media, establishing a fair and consistent policy is challenging due to the varying demands and schedules of indoor and outdoor events.

The discussion highlighted the difficulty of balancing a high-quality sports programme with the welfare of horses and the working conditions for grooms. Participants emphasised that the programme must not only appeal to sponsors but also comply with safety and government requirements. Many pointed out that riders bear a responsibility to develop solutions that help their grooms manage long and demanding work hours. A statement from the International Grooms Association (IGA) reinforced the need for a long-term, sustainable solution, citing studies that link extended working hours to negative health impacts.

One proposed solution was to create a more compact schedule by consolidating classes rather than spreading them throughout the day. Suggestions included enforcing strict finish times—such as ending competitions and prize ceremonies by 11:00 to ensure that both grooms and horses receive adequate rest. Overall, while implementing a rule may be part of the solution, the multifaceted nature of the issue demands a collaborative effort to develop practical and effective policies.

Special Competitions: Evaluation and potential removal of special competition formats that have traditionally been part of the Jumping disciplines, such as Knock-Out Stakes, Ride & Drive, Top Score, and Hit & Hurry, was discussed. There is a need to assess whether these events are still relevant and align with the sport's current direction and the core principles of Jumping. Feedback from athletes and Organising Committees will be crucial in determining whether these formats should be maintained, modified, or replaced.

Young Horse Rules: Discussion on young horse classes focused on height restrictions, the competition format (against the clock vs. optimum time), the overall structure of events for young horses and whether these should be educational or competitive.

The discussion focused on the proper development of young horses, emphasising that training and education should take precedence over competitive exposure. The point was raised that while education is vital for young horses, the current system might be pushing them too early into competition for monetary gains, and questioned if the breeding practices and competitive schedules serve the long-term development of young horses. There was general agreement that the primary purpose of working with young horses should be to prepare them for future challenges by ensuring proper management and gradual progression, rather than rushing them into high-level competition.

Additional points included the need to gather statistical data on the frequency of competitions involving five-year-olds and to develop an education programme for riders at lower levels to ensure career longevity for young horses.

Initiatives such as the FEI contract with Bristol University, which will research young horse supervision and career development, were highlighted as promising steps toward a more sustainable model. It was agreed that national and international rules should be aligned appropriately to support the welfare of these young horses.

MERs for star-level events: Currently, National Federations are responsible for entering horse and athlete combinations into international competitions, but there are no standardised MERs in the discipline to ensure combinations are properly prepared for the level at which they compete. This has raised concerns about whether some may lack the experience or capability to compete safely and effectively at high levels. Discussions are underway regarding the potential introduction of MERs for competitions at CSI3*. Establishing clear qualification criteria would help preserve the integrity of the competition, improve safety, and ensure all starters are adequately prepared for the challenges of higher-level events.

The discussion centered on whether a licensing or progression system should be implemented to ensure that riders achieve a certain level of competency before moving onto higher-level competitions. Some participants argued that merely purchasing a top-quality horse should not allow athlete to progress straight into elite levels such as 5-star events. Instead, athletes should work their way up through proper training, with National Federations potentially managing a licensing process. It was emphasised that while a structured system could help maintain fair competition and guide trainers, its implementation would be complex.

Concerns were also raised about varying access to proper training and resources, and that some countries lack access to higher level competitions at home and riders are unable to get into shows abroad. The discussion concluded with a call for collaboration between federations and FEI course designers to develop a system that benefits both riders and trainers while maintaining the integrity of the sport.