IJRC’S KEY RESPONSES TO THE 2026 FEI JUMPING RULES REVIEW
The FEI published the final version of the proposed amendments on 10 October 2025. The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) has been actively involved in the full review of the FEI Jumping Rules, which takes place every four years, contributing its final feedback during the consultation phase to ensure that riders’ perspectives are properly represented in the decision-making process. The IJRC will take part in the FEI General Assembly next week in Hong Kong represented by President François Mathy and Beatrice Ottaviani, where the proposed modifications to the Jumping Rules will be voted on.
Among the proposals submitted by the IJRC that have been accepted and will be voted on at the upcoming FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong are the following:
Jumping Recorded Warning - Article 259
The IJRC considers the welfare, health, and respect of horses paramount, placing them above everything else.
The club is in favor of a more proportionate response to micro lesions with the introduction of the Jumping Recorded Warnings (Art 259.). However, there will be more serious consequences for repeat offenders; anyone receiving two Recorded Warnings in 12 months will be fined CHF 1000 and suspended one-month, and this will help differentiate between isolated accidents and patterns of negligence.
The FEI has removed the word “minor” from the initial draft, as it is challenging for FEI Officials to determine whether the presence of blood is minor or not, which could result in inconsistencies in practical implementation. That objective veterinary criteria and uniform guidelines should be established and published, to ensure that similar situations are judged consistently across events and continents.
The FEI has now introduced the concept of blood on the Horse caused by tack or equipment, or any Athlete induced blood and has removed the initial wording about Elimination or Disqualification in this specific article on Recorded Warning as other provisions in the Jumping Rules apply for this (abuse of horse, excessive use of spurs, whips, etc.). Finally, they have now added that the Horse must be fit to compete again and that the Veterinary Delegate will be consulted, as suggested by the IJRC.
The final text of the new Article 259, to be voted on in Hong Kong, reads:
“259.1 Any blood on the Horse caused by tack or equipment or any Athlete induced blood detected during a Competition from warm-up until completion of any post-Competition controls/testing) will result in the following consequences for the Person Responsible, issued by the President of the Ground Jury:
First Offence - Jumping Recorded Warning
Second Offence - Jumping Recorded Warning
Should the same Person Responsible receive two or more Jumping Recorded Warnings at the same or any other Event within 12 months of the delivery of the first Jumping Recorded Warning, the Person Responsible shall be issued with a fine of CHF 1'000 and be automatically suspended for a period of one month, such suspension to commence on the day after the last day of the Event where the Second Jumping Recorded Warning was issued. The FEl shall notify the Person Responsible and confirm the date of suspension. For the avoidance of doubt, the delivery of the notification from the FEl after the start date of the suspension shall in no way invalidate or postpone the commencement of the suspension.
259.2 In other cases of blood on the Horse detected during a Competition (for example where a Horse appears to have bitten its tongue or lip or in cases where a Horse is bleeding from the nose), the Officials may authorize the rinsing or wiping of the blood and allow the Athlete/Horse Combination to continue the Competition, provided that the horse is deemed fit to compete in accordance with Article 259.3. The Athlete will not receive a Jumping Recorded Warning if this Article applies.
259.3 In all cases of blood on the Horse under this /Rs Art 259, the Horse may only be permitted to continue in a Competition or participate in any subsequent Competition(s) at the Event if the Ground Jury, in consultation with the Veterinary Delegate, has deemed the Horse to be fit to compete.”
Read The explanation on proposed amendments to the FEI jumping rules, article 259 here
Article 273.2.2.2 – Competition Over Two Rounds
In Grand Prix competitions held over two rounds, the IJRC and other stakeholders proposed: “In all Grand Prix competitions, all Athletes with no penalties in the first round will return for the second round, even if the number of clear rounds exceeds the percentage (25%) indicated in the Schedule”.
This amendment aims to ensure greater fairness and consistency across events.
Limitation of Extra Costs and Fees
A standardized list of fees, agreed between the IJRC, the FEI, and Organizing Committees, will be implemented directly in the Schedules rather than in the Rules.
Prize Money Distribution
According to the current FEI Jumping Rules for CSI events, prize money must be distributed up to the 12th-placed Athlete.
The IJRC proposed extending this distribution to include the 13th-placed Athlete, ensuring a fairer allocation, especially in CSI4* and CSI5* Grand Prix competitions, where the number of starters is capped at 50.
PROPOSALS FOR RULES CHANGES OF JUMPING RULES 2025
Use of technology to Support Ground Jury Decisions (Art.241)
The IJRC has expressed its support for allowing the use of official video recordings, or other technological tools, as already implemented in others sports such as football, tennis, rugby, basketball, ice Hockey, Formula one, etc., to assist Ground Juries in making accurate and fair decisions, particularly in cases where an elimination or penalty cannot be verified immediately.
According to the IJRC, riders should be allowed to complete their round before any final decision is taken, in situations similar to those covered by the “flag” clarifications introduced under the new Article 241.5.3.2., which reads “If it is not clear to the Ground Jury whether the Athlete and Horse stayed within the tall flags, the Ground Jury shall allow the Athlete to continue the round and determine whether they should be Eliminated only once the round has been ended. If it is clear to the Ground Jury that the Athlete and Horse did not stay within the flags, they shall be Eliminated immediately”.
The use of modern technology would help avoid reputational damage from potentially unjust eliminations while maintaining the authority of the Ground Jury President.
The FEI, however, has rejected this proposal, since the wording “doubtful/unclear” could be too subjective and that decisions should remain with the Ground Jury.
The IJRC hopes that in the future the use of modern technology will be part of our sport.
U25 wild cards (Annex V — CSI Invitation Rules Section 4)
Whenever IJRC has requested further opportunities for young talent at upper-level shows, FEI has responded that a mechanism already exists to allocate wild cards to Under 25 riders. IJRC still believes young riders are disadvantaged by opaque allocation processes and prioritization of Olympic or senior-level Athletes.
The FEI rejected this, stating that U25 athletes already receive priority in existing wild card systems and that requests are currently limited.
The IJRC believes this change would have helped balance opportunities and discourage the rise of “pay cards” that restrict access for talented young riders.
The IJRC hopes in the future FEI reconsider the chance to give more and opportunity to the talent U25. For example, by creating a working group to protect and promote the development of new talents and upcoming athletes, taking inspiration perhaps from other sports.
FEI General Regulations - Protests (Article 161.2)
The IJRC suggests introducing this exception to Article 161.2 of the FEI General Regulations, which currently establishes that decisions of the Ground Jury arising from the field of play are final and binding, and not subject to protest: appeals should be permitted in the event of a proven technical refereeing fault.
According to the IJRC, this change would maintain the necessary stability and efficiency of decision-making during competitions, while at the same time allowing the correction of clear and demonstrable errors that could significantly affect the fairness and final outcome of a competition. However, in its feedback, the FEI did not support the proposal, stating that field of play matters should remain final.
The FEI emphasized the need for clarity and consistency and recalled that certain specific cases, such as doubts about whether a combination stayed within the flags, are already addressed in the updated Jumping Rules (Art. 241.5.3.2).
The Club is grateful to all riders who supported its efforts and encourages continued engagement and dialogue with the FEI on these crucial matters.
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International Jumping Riders Club
Since it was founded in 1977, the IJRC has worked tirelessly to ensure that the best interests of jumping and its horses and riders are served by the FEI and by the Organizing Committees.
The IJRC Board is entirely comprised of active riders and/or recently retired distinguished riders: François Mathy Jr (President), Ludger Beerbaum, Emilio Bicocchi, Michael Duffy, Steve Guerdat, Rodrigo Pessoa, Kevin Staut, Richard Vogel. The NARG (North American Riders Group) has indicated Tiffany Foster as a representative on the new board together with Kent Farrington and Lauren Hough who can replace her as deputies.
Since it was founded in 1977, the IJRC has worked tirelessly to ensure that the best interests of jumping and its horses and riders are served by the FEI and by the Organizing Committees. The Board IJRC members are also actively involved in the FEI Jumping Committee (Rodrigo Pessoa), and the FEI Welfare Working Group (Cayetano Martinez De Irujo).
The Club also plays a prominent role in the Longines Rankings Working Group and is allied moreover with the NARG.
The IJRC has had a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the FEI since 2014 and was the first riders group to achieve this status.
This entitles the IJRC to participate in all consultations prior to changes in FEI sport rules and other policy matters.