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Ahead of the FEI General Assembly in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in November, the final drafts of the proposed changes to the FEI rules and regulations have been published by the FEI headquarters.

National federations (NFs) and stakeholders with whom the FEI has signed an MOU could propose rule modifications to the FEI until 1 March. The first drafts were shared on 26 June, giving the NFs and stakeholders until 21 August to submit feedback before the final drafts were made available on 16 October. The final drafts will be discussed during the rules session at the 2024 FEI General Assembly on 12 November, before a vote on 13 November.

This year, only the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMR) were fully reviewed as per the Periodical Rules Revision Policy. NFs and other stakeholders provided the FEI with no proposals for changes to the EADCMR, while the FEI Legal and Veterinary Departments introduced various significant suggestions during the 2024 FEI Sports Forum in April.

Subject to a full revision, significant changes are proposed to the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMR). The proposed changes include the additions of out-of-competion-testing and whereabouts information for horses, as well as widening the detection window by testing not only blood and urine samples, but by also using hair and saliva testing.

“It is proposed to introduce hair testing to complement blood and urine analysis as it prolongs the detection window,” the FEI detailed about the proposed modifications to article 2.1.2. “The method is already established and functioning in horseracing. In addition, saliva sampling is also added as this will allow non-evasive testing during competition, such as in the Vet Gate in Endurance for example.”

The suggested amendment to article 2.1.2. reads: “An Adverse Analytical Finding may be established by a positive blood, or urine, or any biological or other material, including any tissue, body fluid, excreta, hair, skin scraping or swab Sample.”

“The use of hair as a matrix for drug testing presents an issue as to when the administration occurred, and the possibility exists the administration may have been prior to the current owner taking possession of the horse,” the US NF commented. “We suggest provisions be included to assure the current owner will not be falsely accused and held accountable for someone else’s transgression.”

“It is correct that there could be challenges regarding the fault/negligence of the relevant persons who are involved in the positive finding,” FEI responded. “Given the wording on out of competition testing as well, the consequences are mainly on the horse (with a 2 month suspension). The prosecution against persons would need to be based on additional evidence against such specific persons.”

FEI’s proposal to article 5.5. – Horse Whereabouts Information – was met with feedback from the German, Dutch, American and Swedish federations.

“We as a federation think Fair Play and Horse Welfare should always be paramount,” the Dutch NF commented. “However we find this whole proposal of possible out of competition-testing and all its obligations rather intrusive and labour costly. The role and tasks for the NF could also become rather comprehensive. We suggest this should be looked in first before the addition to the rules is made, also taking into account our comment about the definition of the tresholds that are involved and the reverse effect this might have on horse welfare.”

“USA NF supports Out of Competition Testing and believes that if implemented properly, then the safety and welfare of horses, and the integrity of the sport will be positively impacted, but this rule is premature,” the Americans echoed. “An effective program is critical, and at this juncture there are too many unanswered questions. The details and implementation need to be transparent and available to provide meaningful comment.”

“We are of the opinion that the Rule are [sic.] detailed enough at this stage,” the FEI answered to the feedback. “While we appreciate that WADA has a full International Standard on the matter, it is premature to have a similar strict document at this stage. It is also important to highlight that at this stage, the FEI has merely stated that it may implement a Registered Testing Pool and/or a Testing Pool while the FEI may choose not to have them. It is one tool that could be used for Out of Competition Testing and if the FEI was to have such tools, it would obviously apply very similar criteria that apply for human anti-doping testing. The FEI is fully aware of the potential extra work on all parties concerned (Athletes, Support Personnel, Horse Owner, NFs, and FEI HQ) and thus the FEI will need to look into any potential implementation. The FEI has however made some changes in order to clarify the wording and to also have a differentiation between Registered Testing Pool and Testing Pool (where the consequences for Testing Pool Horses would be softer in case of non-compliance with whereabouts information.)”

All proposed changes to the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations can be found via this link.

As to the FEI Jumping Rules, only proposals made by the FEI, as well as one proposal from the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), have been put forward to be voted on – with only minor changes suggested.

Meanwhile, proposals from all other stakeholders – including national federations from SWE, GER, MEX, BEL, FRA, GBR, NED, BRA and ITA, as well as EEF – have been rejected, among them complaints about the Longines League of Nations event in Abu Dhabi, a proposal for a U25 championship, as well as proposals linked directly to horse welfare and described as urgent issues.

"The proposed rules changes for this year were discussed at length within the FEI Jumping Committee, but since in 2025 the FEI Jumping Rules will undergo full revision, it was decided that for 2024 only urgent rule changes would be considered," a FEI spokesperson told WoSJ. "The Jumping Committee took into account horse welfare, clarifications, and major changes."

One of the proposed changes from the FEI includes modifying article 257.1.4 regarding noseband tightness. The suggested change reads:

“1.4. There are no restrictions on bits or nosebands. However, the Ground Jury has the right, based on veterinary advice, to forbid the use of a bit or noseband that may cause injury to the Horse. Article 1044.8 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations applies in relation to the permitted tightness of the noseband.”

All proposed changes to the FEI Jumping Rules – those up for a vote, as well as those that have been rejected – can be found via this link.

There are multiple noteworthy changes suggested to the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

Proposed changes include an addition to article 1004, prohibiting the removal of horses’ auricle hairs, as well as amendments to article 1054 regarding treatments on the day of competition. Amendments are also suggested to article 1060 – Treatments with Non-Oral Medication and Therapies not Included on the EPSL Veterinary Form B (previously Veterinary Form 3): Injectable vitamins will be removed from the list of substances that do not require a veterinary form, and article 1061 will be complimented with “ - - The injection or infusion of vitamins and/or minerals during the Period of the Event unless in the event of an emergency where their use is to be supported using a Veterinary Form A.”

“The FEI would like to propose a change to this article on the grounds of equine welfare, further to the death of a horse at an FEI event. Supporting changes will also be made to Article 1061 and Annex VI, Sanction 31,” the FEI explained about their change of mind on the proposal they initially rejected.

“With respect to the development of the FEI HorseApp, the FEI proposes that equine influenza vaccination details are recorded in the application,” FEI explained about their proposal to article 1002 regarding vaccinations and infections diseases, suggesting to record equine influenza vaccination details in the FEI HorseApp from February 1, 2025. “An electronic system allows a much faster Examination on Arrival procedure and will be used to generate reminders to PRs that their horse(s) require a vaccination in order to comply with the FEI’s requirements and be permitted entry to the FEI Stables Area.”

Article 1035 – Presentation of horses – is suggested to include that barefoot horses must be presented at the vet check without hoof boots if they compete without them, and that horses aren’t allowed to wear earhoods either.

Article 1045 regarding the examination of horses, including checking for sensitivity or presence of blood, is proposed to include the examination of the horses’ whole body as opposed to the previous legs, flanks and mouth.

All proposed changes to the FEI Veterinary Regulations – those up for a vote as well as those that have been rejected – can be found via this link.

In the General Regulations, FEI suggests a change to article 106, removing restrictions on allocations of FEI-named events, so that “ - - The Board shall be entitled to allocate FEI Named Events to the same Organiser on a multi-edition/year basis.”

Changes are also suggested to article 164, tightening santions, while the definition of incorrect behaviour has been modified in Appendix A.

All proposed changes to the FEI General Regulations – those up for a vote as well as those that have been rejected – can be found via this link.

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