FEI General Assembly 2025: Anticipating a Key Moment for Global Equestrian Sport
From 4–7 November 2025, the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) will convene its General Assembly in Hong Kong, bringing together representatives from its 136 national federations to set strategic direction, approve rule changes and shape the future of equestrian sport.
Strategic Priorities and Agenda
The Assembly’s agenda will focus on several major themes:
- Finalisation of the qualification system for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- A comprehensive revision of the sport rule books across Jumping, Eventing and Driving, as part of the FEI’s established four-year rule review cycle.
- Governance and financial reporting, with emphasis on transparency, welfare, integrity and continued global growth.
Governance and Finance
Delegates will review proposed amendments to the FEI Statutes, long-term strategic plans and budget allocations. The Assembly will reaffirm the FEI’s commitment to strong governance and sustainable financial management, while continuing to support the development of equestrian sport across all member nations.
Rule Changes Under Consideration
A wide range of sport-specific proposals will be presented, including:
- Updates to Dressage regulations, including changes to equipment rules.
- A full revision of the Jumping Rules, addressing areas such as elimination criteria, athlete and horse rest periods, and young horse competition formats.
- Proposed adjustments to Eventing penalties and broader updates to safety and competition structure.
The Assembly will also consider matters related to horse welfare and competition integrity, particularly in relation to how rules are enforced in high-performance contexts.
Olympic & Paralympic Qualification
The final drafts of the qualification systems for Los Angeles 2028 will be presented for approval. Once endorsed by the Assembly, these frameworks will be submitted to the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee for ratification.
Global Participation and Growth
With 136 national federations now affiliated to the FEI, the Assembly will also address how to maintain and expand global engagement. Strategic development, equitable access to competition, and continued investment in education and infrastructure are expected to be recurring themes.
Relevance for our community
For the Equitas community, the outcomes of the General Assembly will be significant.
- Monitoring rule changes will be essential to ensure compliance and prepare athletes, officials and organisers for the 2026 season and beyond.
- Clarity on the Olympic and Paralympic qualification processes will guide high-performance planning.
- Strengthened governance and welfare directives will inform internal policy and programme development.
A Defining Moment
The 2025 General Assembly is set to be a defining moment for the global equestrian community. With rulebooks under revision, major competitions on the horizon, and governance under scrutiny, the outcomes will influence the direction of the sport for years to come. For Equitas, this provides both a strategic lens and a timely opportunity to align with the international vision for equestrian sport.
