Major welfare-focused reforms come into effect January 1st, 2026

The FEI has published its updated Rules and Regulations for 2026, approved by the General Assembly in November, with sweeping changes across multiple disciplines. The reforms, which take effect on January 1st, 2026, signal a decisive shift toward enhanced horse welfare, greater transparency, and clearer guidelines for competitors worldwide.

Here we summarise the rule changes (as per our reading of them). For further clarity, please see the FEI website.

Major discipline-specific changes

Showjumping: New blood rule and recorded warnings

The most debated change is the introduction of Article 259, which establishes a ‘Jumping Recorded Warning’ system for blood detection. Under the new rules, all horses showing any blood must undergo mandatory fitness-to-compete checks by the Ground Jury in consultation with the Veterinary Delegate before being allowed to continue.

The FEI removed the controversial ‘minor’ distinction from earlier proposals, acknowledging that determining whether blood is ‘minor’ or not created inconsistencies. All Jumping Recorded Warnings will now be published by the FEI and automatically reported to National Federations, ensuring greater accountability and transparency.

Additional showjumping changes include:

• Ban on mobile phone and earphone use while mounted in warm-up arenas
• Clarified protocols for falls during competition
• Increased horse limits at CSI and CSIO events from three to four horses
• New medical service requirements tailored specifically to jumping competitions
• All riders with zero penalties may return for Grand Prix second rounds, even if numbers exceed the original programme

The entire FEI Jumping Rules have been thoroughly restructured for clarity and consistency.

Dressage: Stricter blood enforcement and bridle flexibility

Dressage adopted a notably stricter approach to blood than showjumping. The blood rule now applies ‘from the moment the combination enters the space around the arena until the test is concluded’ – not just during the test itself. Judges can check for blood anywhere on the horse, including around the mouth, and any detection results in immediate elimination.

In addition, competitors gain new flexibility with equipment. Riders may now choose between a snaffle or double bridle at CDI levels up to three-star, as well as for juniors, young riders, U25 competitors, and seven-year-old horses.

Other dressage updates include:

• Judges may eliminate combinations for resistance or dangerous behaviour lasting less than 20 seconds if safety or welfare is at risk
• Organisers permitted to use static cameras to record and livestream practice arenas for welfare monitoring
• FEI tests under review to include movements like stretching and ‘give and retake the reins’ at Big Tour level
• Clarified double bridle specifications regarding nosebands and curb chains

Eventing: Full revision for clarity

The FEI Eventing Rules underwent a complete revision to ensure clarity in how the rules are written and applied. Key areas revised include Championships and Games, Officials, the Eventing Sanctions System, and Scoring procedures.

Significantly, penalties for missing a flag have been reduced from 15 to 9 penalties – a change welcomed by the eventing community.

Cross-discipline changes

Tack and equipment centralisation

One of the most significant structural changes affects all disciplines: tack and equipment requirements have been removed from individual sport rulebooks and consolidated into the FEI Tack & Equipment Requirements documents, the FEI Tack, Equipment and Dress Database, and the new FEI TackApp.

This centralisation takes effect for all disciplines except jumping on January 1st, 2026. Jumping will transition on January 1st, 2027, giving competitors additional time to familiarise themselves with the new system.

Welfare-first equipment standards

Already in effect or coming soon:

• Nosebands must allow ‘sufficient laxity’ and will be measured with FEI-approved devices
• Spurs limited to 3.5cm; rowels banned
• Boots must be dark with minimal contrast
• Inner ear hair removal banned (joining the existing whisker ban)

Competition management

Prize-giving ceremonies held after 22:00 will now only require the top three riders to attend – a change proposed by the International Grooms Association and Grooms Consultative Group to address working hours concerns.

A new warning-and-fine system applies across all disciplines: two warnings within 12 months result in an automatic CHF 2,000 fine, escalating to CHF 3,000 for three warnings and CHF 4,000 for four.

What this means in SA

For South African riders competing internationally or in local FEI shows, these changes require immediate attention:

Preparation checklist:

• Review tack and equipment against new consolidated requirements via the FEI TackApp
• Familiarise yourself with discipline-specific blood rules – they differ significantly between jumping and dressage
• If competing in dressage at CDI3* or below, consider whether a snaffle bridle might benefit your horse
• Ensure grooms and support staff understand new warm-up arena protocols, including camera monitoring and mobile phone restrictions
• Check influenza vaccination records are uploaded to FEI HorseApp (required from February 2025)

What this means for breeders

While the rule changes primarily affect competition, breeders should note:

• Increased emphasis on welfare and temperament will influence market demands
• Horses showing resistance or dangerous behaviour face quicker elimination so breeding for trainability and temperament becomes even more critical
• Greater scrutiny of tack sensitivity suggests breeding for horses with good mouth conformation and sensitivity remains valuable

Looking ahead

The FEI has committed to ongoing consultation on several deferred topics, including the harmonisation of abuse and bleeding rules across all disciplines, and public access to judges’ comments in dressage.

National Federations can provide feedback throughout 2026, and riders are encouraged to stay informed via the FEI website and their National Federation communications.

For more information, visit www.fei.org or contact your National Federation.