The annual FEI Eventing Forum 2025 took place on 17th and 18th January 2025 with a third day, by invitation only, dedicated to the National Safety Officers Seminar.
Held in Lausanne, Switzerland for the first time, the open Forum was well attended with 128 participants - including elite Athletes, Eventing Officials, National Safety Officers, Organisers, and National Federation representatives from 27 nations – taking part in the proceedings led by FEI Eventing Committee Chair David O’Connor (USA).
Eventing is at an important juncture
"Our sport is at an important juncture, and we must continue working together as a community to develop a strong plan for the future of Eventing," said O’Connor as he summarised the Forum discussions.
"But this gathering was also an opportunity to reflect on our recent successes. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games showcased the very best of Eventing, with Cross Country day in Versailles delivering an unforgettable experience. Those who were there witnessed the incredible power and athleticism of our horse and athlete combinations up close — an experience few sports can match.
"At the same time, we recognise the need for improvement to ensure our sport remains sustainable and continues to engage future audiences. The past few days have provided an important space for the community to address key issues and have face-to-face discussions about the future of the sport, and the insights from athletes who travelled to Lausanne were invaluable to these conversations."
The first session of the Forum addressed some of these significant challenges, such as the ongoing need for equine and human risk management, the high capital costs associated with staging competitions, limited media exposure beyond the equestrian community, and the sport’s reliance on tradition.
Participants were invited to reflect on critical sustainability questions, such as how eventing can maintain relevance beyond the Olympic movement, strategies for attracting and retaining athletes and officials, ways to support organisers in ensuring financial viability, and measures to uphold horse welfare as a central priority.
Opportunities for growth were identified, including the introduction of innovative, media-friendly competition formats; revisiting the economic model of 5* events to enhance their appeal; expanding the FEI Eventing Nations Cup system to regions beyond Europe; increasing the sport’s entertainment value to attract a broader audience; creating series rather than standalone events; and leveraging rankings as effective promotional tools.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, O’Connor encouraged participants to carefully consider the potential implications of any proposed format changes, including their impact on event management, veterinary requirements, and medal ceremonies. The FEI Eventing Rules Revision process was discussed, with the revision schedule moved forward to 2025 to ensure new rules are implemented ahead of the 2026 World Championships and aligned with preparations for LA28.
Risk management was also a key focus, with proposals including enhanced athlete education, stricter qualification standards, greater use of safety technology, and course design adjustments to improve safety while preserving the sport’s competitive spirit.
In the final session of the first day, Sam Watson (EquiRatings) presented an analysis of risk management and course standards in Eventing, focusing on how data-driven decisions can enhance safety while preserving the sport’s competitive integrity. He emphasised the importance of establishing measurable benchmarks to guide decision-making and ensure eventing remains both challenging and safe for participants.
Insights from athletes and coaches
The second day of the Forum began with an “Athletes and Coaches” session which featured a distinguished panel of athletes and coaches - Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Phillip Dutton (USA), Andrew Hoy (AUS), and Ros Canter (GBR). The session was moderated by one of Germany’s Bettina Hoy and France’s Pierre Le Goupil, the cross country course designer for Paris 2024 at Versailles.
Key topics included strategies for producing better results without compromising horse welfare, methods to mitigate the risk of fatigue in horses, and insights from athletes renowned for consistently maintaining fit horses. The panel also explored how to educate athletes effectively without over-policing, and whether involving senior athletes at events or afterwards could foster learning with less experienced riders.
A key point highlighted during the discussions was the dual importance of both horse and rider preparation. While the strength and fitness of the horse are essential, equal emphasis must be placed on the rider’s physical fitness and psychological approach. This balance is critical to achieving optimal performance and bringing out the best in their horses.
FEI Eventing Officials Education System
This was followed by a discussion on recent updates to the FEI Eventing Officials' Education System and the Course Designers Mentoring Programme.
Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Alec Lochore (GBR), and Neil Mackenzie-Hall (NZL) introduced the updates that have been made to the FEI Eventing Officials’ Education System, aimed at modernising pathways, streamlining requirements, and enhancing consistency across all functions.
Developed by the Eventing Education Working Group (EEWG) in collaboration with stakeholders, the revised system focuses on attracting new officials, providing clear progression pathways, and improving officiating quality.
Key updates include the FEI Course Designer Mentoring Programme, offering an accelerated pathway for talented candidates, and simplified entry and maintenance requirements for Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2) officials. Prior to the update of the FEI Eventing Education System, Judges and Technical Delegates (TDs) could automatically get an L1 & L2 Steward function. With the new criteria, Judges and TDs can now only become L1 Stewards. Clearer criteria have been introduced for Level 3 (L3) and Level 4 (L4) progression, including evaluations and online interviews.
Additionally, the idea of a new “fast-track” system was introduced which would support athletes transitioning to officiating roles and officials transferring across functions, leveraging prior experience for efficient progression.
Risk Management Data and Eventing Safety
The afternoon session, led by David O’Connor (USA), Geoff Sinclair (AUS), and Stuart Buntine (AUS), focused on crucial aspects of risk management in equestrian sports, particularly regarding fall and injury statistics collected between 2015 and 2024.
It was noted that the number of horse falls has decreased, with a significant reduction in rotational falls, thanks to advancements in course design, education, and technology. However, falls on the flat remain a concern, as does the potential for serious injuries from rotational falls, which carries the greatest risk to an Athlete.
National statistics revealed improvement in horse falls in countries like France, Germany, and the USA, but the ongoing focus remains on further reducing rotational falls and maintaining safety improvements. A proposal was made to move the National Safety Officer meetings to February, allowing horse falls and injury data to be collected and sent to the FEI until the end of January.
The use of frangible fences was another key topic, with an emphasis on improving safety by ensuring they activate appropriately. While concerns about penalties for soft activations remain, the consensus was that the reduction in rotational falls justifies this trade-off.
The challenge of implementing frangible fences and technology to improve safety in cross country events was also addressed. Key points included the need for consistent training for course builders, the high cost of advanced technology, and the proposal for a fund to subsidise the cost of frangible fences.
The presentations completed with Rosie Williams from British Eventing providing an overview of a study on the hot topic of the ‘flag rule’ which has been under discussion for some time. With the forthcoming Eventing Rule Revisions in 2025, the study aims to provide better information in the lead-up to the rule change process.
More information and session replays can be found on the FEI Website here
