Text © World of Showjumping

The FEI has published the FEI Rules and Regulations for 2026, which were approved by the FEI General Assembly on 7 November.

“This year, the FEI Jumping, Eventing as well as Driving and Para Driving Rules underwent a full revision,” the FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibàñez said. “In addition, the FEI Jumping Rules were comprehensively restructured and modernised to make them more accessible and user-friendly. Minor corrections were also introduced to the other FEI Rules and Regulations.”

“As all modifications will come into effect on 1 January 2026, we have developed simple and practical tools to support understanding and ensure correct implementation,” she added. “We encourage everyone involved in FEI Events to make use of these resources and to share them widely.”

This year, the FEI Jumping Rules were subject to a full revision and the rulebook was fully restructured. Below is a selection of some of the most noteworthy changes.

Article 259 – Jumping Recorded Warnings

A new sanction named Jumping Recorded Warning has been introduced in article 259, which will replace the current article 241.3.30 and .31. As per the wording in the new rule in article 259, any blood detected on a horse that is caused by tack or equipment or that is athlete induced, will result in the sanction Jumping Recorded Warning which will be issued by the President of the Ground Jury. Two or more Jumping Recorded Warnings within 12 months will lead to a fine of CHF1.000 and an automatic suspension of the rider for one month. Additionally, in all cases where blood is detected on a horse, the horse in question will only be permitted to continue competing if the Ground Jury, together with the Veterinary Delegate, deems the horse fit to compete.

As per article 264.2.1, marks indicating excessive use of spurs or of the whip anywhere on the horse still results in mandatory disqualifications by the Ground Jury, while additional consequences may also apply as per article 265.1 and the FEI General Regulations 142.

Article 207.3 – Use of electronic devices

The use of mobile phones, electronic devices, and earphones while mounted in the warm-up arena during a competition is prohibited.

Annex II CSI/CSIO Requirements - Young Horses

Specific rules for young horses can be found in Annex II, with maximum heights set for 5-, 6- and 7-year-old horses. Competitions for five-year-old horses may no longer be run against the clock.

Minor changes have been made to the FEI Veterinary Regulations. Below is a selection of some of the most noteworthy changes.

Article 1008 – Stables

As per the FEI Veterinary Regulations article 1008.19, only equidae, dogs and humans are permitted access to the FEI stables area.

Article 1054 – Same day treatment

Article 1054.1. has been amended to clarify same day treaments. The article now reads as follows: “Horses must not be treated by injection or infusion with any substance not listed on the EPSL prior to the Competition on the day in which they compete, except in exceptional circumstances when the FEI Stables Area has closed after midnight on that day and the Horse has competed in the last competition of the previous day, treatment is permitted until FEI Stables Area closure time. However, the Horse cannot compete in a competition that starts less than 8 hours after the closure time of the FEI Stables Area.”

Article 1061 – Prohibited Treatments

The intrasynovial and intratendinous/ligamentous administration of any medication has been added as a prohibited method during FEI events.

The injection or infusion (including as an additive to intravenous fluids) of vitamins and/or minerals during FEI events is also prohibited, unless in an emergency, when Veterinary Form A is to be used.

Article 1066 – Sampling

The number of people accompaying horses to EADCM sampling has been restricted.

Article 1066.6. now reads: “The PR is responsible for the Horse at all times. A maximum of 2 people may accompany a Horse that has been selected for EADCM sampling, to the Testing Box(es). Minors may only accompany Horses to the Testing Boxes provided they are the PR of the Horse selected for EADCM sampling.”

Annex VI – Sanctions in case of FEI Veterinary Regulation violations

Further sanctions have been added in case of FEI Veterinary Regulation violations, including disqualification, fines and suspensions.

As an example, “Any Person administering a treatment with substances listed on the EPSL or the injection or infusion of vitamins and/or minerals during the Period of the Event, without prior authorisation from the VC/VD with the exception of emergencies as stated in Art. 1059” will be fined CHF1000 and given FEI Yellow Warning Card, while the horse in question is to be disqualified and suspended for one month.

Minor changes have been made to the FEI General Regulations. Below is a selection of some of the most noteworthy changes.

Article 125 – Ceremonies

As per article 125.8, only the top three placed riders are required to attend a prize giving ceremony mounted.

Article 140 - Protection of Athletes and Participating Support Personnel

Instead of the former yellow warning card issued, protective headgear violations will result in a fine of CHF 1000.

Article 163 - Disciplinary Proceedings

As per artice 163.1, the scope of FEI’s ability to open disciplinary cases has been widened, as the article now reads: “The FEI may, in its sole discretion, open a disciplinary case against a person or persons for any alleged breach of the FEI Rules and Regulations and/or any of the offences listed in Article 164.12 (Offences) below. Where the alleged breach/offence occurred at/in connection with an FEI Event, the FEI may open a disciplinary case and impose sanctions, regardless of whether or not the FEI Officials have already reviewed the matter and/or imposed sanction(s) during the relevant FEI Event.”

Article 164 – Sanctions

A system of fines has been incorporated for cases of recurring warnings within a 12 month period. If the same person receives two warnings within 12 months, a fine of CHF2000 will be automatically issued, while three warnings result in a fine of CHF3000, etc.

Tack and Equipment requirements have been removed from all sport rules and can now to be found in the FEI Tack & Equipment Requirements documents, the FEI Tack, Equipment and Dress Database, and the FEI TackApp. An exception has been made for jumping in this provision, as the rule will only apply to jumping as of 1 January 2027.