Next week, the 12th edition of the FEI Sports Forum will take place on 29 and 30 April in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On the program for the two days of sessions are the following topics: 

Session 1: Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission – final report and proposed action plan

Monday, 29 April, 9:30 – 12:30

Three hours have been set aside to discuss the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission's final report. A proposed practical plan and feedback on actions put in place by the National Federations will also be part of the discussions. 

The final report can be read here.

Session 2: Sustainability in equestrian sport – a call for action

Monday, 29 April, 13:30 – 15:00

This session will focus on sustainability in sport; environmental aspects and climate change in particular. The session will introduce the International Olympic Committee’s approach and priorities with regards to sustainability within the Olympic movement and at the Olympic Games. The panel will discuss key commercial implications and opportunities, and explore examples from other sports. The FEI will present a recap of the work it has undertaken in relation to enabling measurement of greenhouse gas emissions at FEI events, followed by an open discussion among the participants.

Session 3: FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations

Monday, 29 April, 15:30 – 17:30

Two hours have been set aside for a presentation on the proposed changes to the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations, which this year are the only FEI rules undergoing full revision.

Session 4: FEI Championships review 

Tuesday, 30 April, 9:00 – 12:00

This session will focus on the reduced appetite among organisers to host FEI Championships at senior level, and will explore the reasons for this. The current requirements that apply to hosting FEI Championships will be part of the discussions, to see if/how these requirements could be adapted. 

Session 5: Safeguarding - What NFs need to know

Tuesday, 30 April, 13:30 – 14:30

This session aims to raise basic awareness among national federations and stakeholders on the subject of safeguarding. National federations will be informed of the basic steps involved in putting safeguarding policies and procedures in place. Some national federations will share their experiences of implementing their safeguarding policies and some of the challenges faced. The FEI will share its key learnings five years on from the approval of the FEI Safeguarding Policy against Harassment and Abuse.

Session 6: Equity in equestrian – Assessing gender equality across key roles and levels

Tuesday, 30 April 15:00 – 16:30

This session will focus on key figures and statistics when it comes to gender equality in equestrian sports, and identify areas in which gender equality is maintained successfully and pinpoint others where it needs to be improved among top ranked athletes, officials, FEI Committee and Board members and at national federation level.

The FEI's gender statistics can be found here.

The FEI Global Equestrian Research report can be found here.

All documentation for the various sessions will be published and accessible in the FEI Sports Forum Hub.

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) will be represented at the Sports Forum by its president Francois Mathy Jr, director Eleonora Ottaviani, veterinary advisor Stéphane Montavon and other members of the team. 

While in Lausanne, the IJRC’s Longines Rankings Working Group will have a separate meeting with FEI President Ingmar De Vos, Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee Stephan Ellenbruch and FEI Jumping Director Todd Hinde. 

Another meeting with CSI organisers will include discussions on the array of additional costs charged to riders and owners at shows, with the aim of clarifying what are essential and reasonable costs.

The IJRC will also meet a representative of the International Grooms Association and attend a board meeting of the European Equestrian Federation.