International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports is the international governing body of equestrian sports.
The FEI headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland. An FEI code of conduct protects the welfare of the horses from physical abuse or doping.
Disciplines
The FEI recognizes eight disciplines under global governance in both regular and para-equestrianism competition:- dressage
- combined driving
- endurance
- eventing
- para-equestrian
- reining
- show jumping
- equestrian vaulting
The FEI does not govern or provide rules for horse racing or polo, but in the latter case, it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of International Polo.
Values
Vision
To grow the unique and mutually beneficial bond between horse and human in sport globally.Mission
To drive and develop equestrian sport globally in a modern, sustainable and structured manner with guaranteed integrity, athlete welfare, equal opportunity and a fair and ethical partnership with the horse.Events
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Jumping, Dressage and Eventing have been a part of the Olympics since 1912. Para-Equestrian Dressage has been part of the Paralympic games since 1996. Jumping has been part of the Youth Olympic Games since its creation in Singapore in 2010.FEI World Equestrian Games
The FEI has organized the FEI World Equestrian Games every four years since 1990. The idea of the World Equestrian Games came into being in the mid-1980s and was strongly supported by HRH Prince Philip, who was then FEI President.The WEG encompasses the World Championship titles in all the FEI global disciplines.
World Cup
The FEI World Cup is an indoor series and takes place throughout the world with qualifying leagues leading to a final in each of the disciplines. The FEI World Cup series began with show jumping in 1978 and has since been extended to the disciplines of dressage, driving, and vaulting. Main events include:- Dressage World Cup
- Show Jumping World Cup
- World Cup Driving
- World Cup Vaulting
World, continental and regional championships
- World Eventing Championships for Young Horses
- FEI World Driving Championships for Four-in-Hand
- FEI World Driving Championships for Singles
- FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors
- FEI World Vaulting Championships for Seniors
- FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships
Ratings
History
The FEI was formed in 1921 with the joining of the national organizations of Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America. Today, there are 138 National Equestrian Federations affiliated with the FEI.Year | Number of affiliated nations |
1921 | 8 |
1928 | 21 |
1938 | 31 |
1960 | 48 |
1970 | 54 |
1975 | 62 |
1986 | 81 |
2014 | 132 |
2015 | 133 |
2016 | 134 |
2018 | 135 |
2020 | 138 |
Presidents
There have been 13 different presidents of the organization. Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford is the only individual to have served twice. Nowadays, a President can serve for a maximum of two terms. Since 2014, the President of the FEI is Ingmar De Vos from Belgium.# | President | Nation | Term |
1 | Baron du Teil | France | 1921–1927 |
2 | General Gerrit Johannes Maris | Netherlands | 1927–1929 |
3 | Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford | Netherlands | 1929–1931 |
4 | General Guy V. Henry | USA | 1931–1935 |
5 | Baron Max Von Holzing-Bertstett | Germany | 1935–1936 |
6 | Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford | Netherlands | 1936–1939 |
7 | Magnus Rydman | Finland | 1939–1946 |
8 | Baron Gaston de Trannoy | Belgium | 1946–1954 |
9 | Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld | Netherlands | 1954–1964 |
10 | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | UK | 1964–1986 |
11 | Anne, Princess Royal | UK | 1986–1994 |
12 | Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz | Spain | 1994–2006 |
13 | Princess Haya bint Hussein | Jordan | 2006–2014 |
14 | Ingmar De Vos | Belgium | Since 2014 |