Text © World of Showjumping

Ahead of the 2025 FEI General Assembly in November, the FEI has published the final drafts on the proposed rule changes that will be subject to voting. After the first draft of the proposals was published in July, stakeholders were given seven weeks to comment.

The changes proposed to the FEI General Regulations include requirements to the national federations’ own rules regarding horse abuse, the number of horses and riders required for late-night prize giving ceremonies, the use of mobile phones while mounted, as well as an improved system for warnings – to mention just a few topics.

Requirements to national provisions regarding horse abuse as well as safeguarding policies

In order to ensure the welfare and ethical treatment of horses in all equestrian activities, the FEI has proposed that national federations must include provisions in their national regulations regarding horse abuse. By introducing such requirements to national rules, the FEI aims to prevent cruelty, promote responsible horsemanship, and uphold the integrity of the sport – aligning national regulations as much as possible with the FEI Rules.

Similarly, the FEI has proposed that national federations must have provisions in their rules regarding safeguarding policies against harassment and abuse to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants in the sport – again aligning national regulations as much as possible with the FEI Rules.

The proposed wording to be added to the FEI General Regulations article 100 reads:

“7. By 1 January 2027, NFs must have incorporated:

(i) Abuse of Horses provisions that are generally consistent with the FEI provisions on Abuse of Horse (FEI GRs, Article 142); and

(ii) Rules against Harassment and Abuse that are generally consistent with the FEI provisions on Harassment and Abuse (FEI GRs, Appendix I, in their national rules.”

Prize giving ceremonies

The FEI has decided that a proposal from the Grooms Consultative Group (GCG) and the International Grooms Association (IGA) to change the FEI Jumping Rules article 248.5 regarding prize giving ceremonies should be given effect across disciplines.

The proposed wording to be added to the FEI General Regulations article 125 reads:

“For prize giving ceremonies held after 10pm only the top three placed Athletes are required to attend mounted.”

The proposed rule change aims to mitigate some of the impact of late-night competitions on horses and grooms, as explained by the GCG and IGA.

Use of mobile phones while riding in the warm-up arena

The Swiss federation has proposed to add a new article to the FEI General Regulations to control the use of mobile phones. “Too often, we see riders of all levels, in all disciplines, and of all ages using a mobile phone while riding,” the Swiss federation explained. “This is not only potentially dangerous but also sets a bad example for the younger generation, who may see their idols riding with a phone to their ear. Just as it is on the road, using a phone while riding in a warm-up arena should be prohibited. However, riders may use earphones if they wish.”

While the FEI initially did not support the proposal, further feedback has caused a change of mind.

The proposed wording to be added in a new rule in the FEI General Regulations reads:

“Mobile Phone Use While Riding – Unless otherwise provided in the Sport Rules, Athletes are prohibited from holding a mobile phone and/or any similar electronic device to their ear or doing calls while riding in the warm-up arena.

Use of Hands-Free Communication Devices – Unless otherwise provided in the Sport Rules, Athletes may use one (1) earphone or hands-free communication device while riding in the warm-up arena, provided these devices do not compromise their safety or that of others. FEI Officials reserve the right to prohibit any device deemed unsafe or inappropriate.

Monitoring and Enforcement – FEI Officials are responsible for enforcing this rule and intervening in case of violations. Unless otherwise provided in the Sport Rules, any violation will result in a Warning.”

A similar rule has also been proposed as an addition to the FEI Jumping Rules article 207.3.1: 

“Mobile phone devices, other electronic communication devices, and earphones may never be used by an Athlete while mounted in the Warm-Up Arena during a Competition. Failure to comply with this Article will incur a Warning in accordance with JRs Art 261.”

Warnings

The FEI has suggested changes to article 164.2 regarding warnings, explaining that under the current system, warnings have no real weight or impact.

The proposal is to introduce the following system:

“- If the same Person Responsible receives two (2) Warnings within 12 months: A fine of CHF 2’000 will be automatically issued by the FEI HQ;

- If the same Person Responsible receives three (3) Warnings within 12 months: A fine of CHF 3’000 will be automatically issued by the FEI HQ;

- If the same Person Responsible receives (four) 4 Warnings or more within 12 months: A fine of CHF 4’000 will be automatically issued by the FEI HQ.”

Tack and equipment

To better control the use of tack and equipment, and to be able to react faster to changes in the market, the FEI has proposed to create a separate, stand-alone document for each discipline.

“The rule revision process timeline has proven to be inadequate and unsustainable when it comes to regulation of tack and equipment taking into account the ever-evolving booming market which grew exponentially in the past 20 years,” the FEI detailed in their explanation. “If approved, the FEI will proceed to remove descriptions and principles related to tack and equipment from all Discipline Rules and simply transfer them to the Tack & Equipment Requirements effective as of 1 January 2026, with the exception of Jumping, which is deferred to a later date, possibly as of 1 January 2027 given the full revision of the Jumping Rules.”

17.10.2025 No reproduction of this article, or parts of this article, will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.