April Newsletter – IJRC Meetings and Initiatives

April Newsletter – IJRC Meetings and Initiatives

In April the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) has been actively engaged in several important international meetings and initiatives, continuing our mission to represent athletes’ voices and to promote fair, horse-centered sport.

  •  FEI Sports Forum – Lausanne - 31 March and 1 April 2025.

The IJRC took part in the annual FEI Sports Forum, which brought together key stakeholders from across the equestrian world. The Club contributed to the dialogue by presenting constructive ideas and actively participating in the sessions (IJRC President François Mathy Jr. was on the panel during the Rule Revision session on the first day).

[Click here to read more about Rule Revision session]

At the FEI Sports Forum 2025, the veterinary session presented significant updates, providing a forward-looking perspective on equine welfare, scientific advancements, ethical responsibility, public perception, and the evolution of sport regulations. The subjects discussed went from defining the concept of “fitness to compete,” to new scientific projects connected with footing & orthopedic injury prevention, oral lesions & bit protocols, and the use of Sniffer Dogs for Anti-Doping to formulate better policies and regulations based on evidence science and medicine.

[Click here to read more about Veterinary session]

  • ⁠Meeting with FEI Management – Basel – 2/6 April 2025.

During the FEI World Cup™ Final in Basel, representatives from the IJRC (François Mathy Jr., IJRC President, and Eleonora Ottaviani, IJRC Director) met with FEI senior management to discuss a range of significant issues, including:

                  •                The Longines FEI Ranking: a possible adjustment will be postponed until June

                  •                Debriefing of the Jumping Rules Session at the Sports Forum

                  •                The Elimination Rule (in case of flanks bleeding)

                  •                Horse welfare, which continues to be a top priority in all discussions

This open and productive exchange reflects the Club’s ongoing commitment to collaborative dialogue with governing bodies.

  • ⁠Jumping Committee Meeting – teleconference - 14 April 2025.

An additional key moment this month was the Jumping Committee meeting, held via video conference. IJRC Board Member Rodrigo Pessoa participated in his role as Athletes’ Representative.

The meeting focused issues, including the complete revision of the FEI Jumping Rules, a process that will shape the future of our sport, on which the club has worked extensively, sending its various proposals to the FEI through the templates last March.

The next deadline of the Rule Revision process will be:

  • 8 July 2025: The FEI will provide National Federations and Stakeholders with the 1st Draft of proposed Rules changes.
  • 26 August 2025: National Federations and Stakeholders are given eight weeks to review the 1st Draft.
  • 10 October 2025: Final Draft of the proposed Rules changes to be provided to National Federations and Stakeholders. 
  • 6 November 2025: Rules Session.
  • 7 November 2025: Voting of Rules at the General Assembly.

 

At every opportunity, the IJRC is working to ensure that athletes are heard, that decision-making remains transparent, and that horse welfare remains at the heart of the sport.

We thank you for your ongoing support and encourage you to stay informed and engaged as we continue to move forward, together.

Warm regards,

The IJRC Team