These proposals represent the input of National Federations (NFs), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) stakeholders, and FEI Technical Committees. National Federations have until September 7 to submit comments on the initial draft. Following feedback, a final draft will be published in November before going to a formal vote at the upcoming FEI General Assembly.

Key Summary of Proposed Changes

1. LA28 Olympic & Discipline-Specific Regulations

  • Medal Jump-Offs in Jumping: A jump-off is proposed for both the Team and Individual Competitions in the event of a tie on penalties for any medal-placing position.

  • 11th-Place Team Replacement: In the Jumping Team Final, if a qualified team withdraws prior to the competition, the 11th-placed team from the Qualifier can be called up to replace them (up to 2 hours before the start).

  • Withdrawn Teams: If a qualified team cannot present three eligible combinations before the first team competition starts, the team is formally withdrawn; remaining athletes may still compete as individuals.

  • Two Days of Eventing Dressage: The Olympic Eventing timetable for LA28 has been updated to span two days for the Dressage test.

  • Rejected Format Adjustments: Proposals by NFs to return to a "4-rider team with a drop score" (in Jumping, Eventing, or Dressage) or to let individual jumpers compete in the Team Qualifier round were not supported by the FEI, citing strict IOC athlete quotas and the need for public readability.

2. Veterinary Regulations & Welfare

  • Identification & DNA: Provisions for taking DNA samples to confirm horse identity, accompanied by stricter sanctions if a microchip does not match a passport. Mandatory use of Equipass is targeted for July 2027.

  • Biosecurity & Microchips: Proposal for all horses to have temperature-sensing microchips by 2032. Introduction of sanctions for officials/personnel failing to sanitize hands between different horses or health-status groups.

  • Fitness to Compete: Horses with non-patent jugular veins in both sides will be prohibited from competing. The Henneke body condition scale will be integrated into welfare assessments.

  • Expanded Official Oversight: Officials will be granted broader authority to examine a horse at any point during an event.

3. General Regulations & Governance

  • Stricter Horse Abuse Penalties: Maximum suspensions for minor/low-end horse abuse violations are proposed to increase from 3 months to up to 6 months, with accompanying fines between CHF 1,000–1,500. Top-end penalties remain up to life suspensions.

  • Whistleblower & NDA Protections: Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) or non-disclosure clauses will no longer bind individuals from reporting good-faith breaches of FEI rules, such as horse abuse.

  • Safeguarding Updates: Extension of the FEI Safeguarding Policy to cover National Federation representatives. The FEI will also gain powers to issue restraining orders or mandate safeguarding training for minor violations.

What’s Next? Stakeholders will continue discussions through September. The finalized wording will be reviewed and voted on by voting delegates at the FEI General Assembly.