What the FEI’s 2027 rule means for riders

From 1 January 2027, according to Horse and Hound’s Lucy Elder, FEI eventing competitions will allow only padded whips in the jumping phases, and only if they meet set dimensions. National federations voted for the change at the FEI General Assembly a year earlier, and the FEI has now published the technical specifications in its tack and equipment document.

The reported specification: a maximum overall length of 75cm, a padded section of at least 20cm, and a pad at least 2.5cm wide. The padding must be smooth, shock-absorbing, dark, non-reflective and soft. Leather padding and raised surfaces are banned.

British Eventing has allowed only padded whips in jumping phases since 2023, and its rules differ in several details. For example, BE whips must be 45 to 75cm long and unweighted, with a 160g weight limit and a pad covering two-fifths of the whip’s length. BE says it sees no need to change its rule at present. It’s not clear yet if SA rules will be changed to align with the new FEI regulations for national competitions.