What is the FEI?
The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) is the world governing body of equestrian sport — founded at the 1921 Olympic Congress in Lausanne, where it remains headquartered, and today uniting more than 130 national federations across seven disciplines.[1] [2]
What does the FEI govern?
The rules and calendar of international sport — every CSI, CDI and CCI event runs under FEI sanction and star rating; the world rankings, led by the Longines jumping rankings; the registration of every international athlete and horse (each with an FEI ID and recorded history); equine anti-doping and welfare; and Olympic and Paralympic equestrian sport.[2] [3]
When was it founded and who leads it?
Founded in 1921; led since December 2014 by Ingmar De Vos of Belgium, re-elected in Cape Town in 2022 to a third and final term.[1] [4]
Why does the FEI matter?
Every objective credential in equestrian sport traces to the FEI: rankings, star-rated results, championship medals and the official database of horses and athletes. An FEI record — accessible for any registered rider — is the sport's canonical career document.[2] [3]
References
- FEI — The President. Accessed August 2026.
- FEI — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- FEI — Database (results, rankings, horses & athletes). Accessed August 2026.
- PR Newswire — De Vos re-elected for third and final FEI term. Accessed August 2026.