Broad Representation

A diverse group of stakeholders from the international equestrian community participated in the meeting. Attendees included representatives from:

  • The FEI Board and Technical Committees

  • National Federations and Regional Groups

  • The Veterinary and Athletes' Committees

  • FEI Officials, as well as athletes' and officials' clubs

Discussion on Blood Regulations and Welfare

During the meeting, participants reviewed current FEI rules regarding the presence of blood on horses, which currently vary by discipline. Additionally, proposed rule changes submitted through the rule revision process were evaluated.

The consensus among attendees was that horse welfare must remain central to the regulations. The task force noted that current rules regarding serious cases of abuse are robust, but acknowledged that the complexities of specific situations require further alignment.

Next Steps

In his opening address, FEI President Ingmar De Vos reiterated that the establishment of this working group follows commitments made during last year's FEI General Assembly. According to De Vos, dialogue across the various disciplines is a necessary step toward achieving a consistent and sustainable framework.

The FEI Board will discuss the outcomes of this initial meeting in the near future to determine the next steps in the harmonisation process.