FEI SPORT FORUM 2026

FEI Sports Forum 2026, Lausanne, 30–31 March.

The 14th FEI Sports Forum will take place on 30–31 March 2026 at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, to exchange ideas, debate key topics and help define the road ahead for our sport.

Below is an overview of the main themes that will be addressed during the two days of the Sports Forum:

Monday, 30 March

Theme: “From Pony to Podium, Our Youth, Our Future”

The opening session will focus on youth development and the pathway to elite sport.

Key discussion points include:
   •   Participation trends across disciplines and regions
   •   Progress achieved over the past eight years
   •   Funding, access to horses and education
   •   Welfare standards and rider development

A dedicated Youth Development Panel will examine:
   •   Engagement of young athletes
   •   Education on welfare and riding standards
   •   International participation barriers
   •   Structure and relevance of youth categories and rankings

A second panel will address the elite pathway, with focus on:
   •   The role of Youth Championships
   •   Regional disparities
   •   Academy systems
   •   Balancing education and high-performance sport

2026 will also mark the inaugural FEI World U25 Championships (Millstreet), further strengthening the transition towards senior elite level.

The afternoon sessions will cover:
   •   Olympic & Paralympic Regulations for LA28
   •   Full revision of Dressage and Para Dressage Regulations

Tuesday, 31 March

Day two will open with an update on the FEI’s marketing and communications strategy, followed by sessions on:
   •   Veterinary matters and regulatory developments
   •   Equine welfare and safety
   •   Introduction of the new FEI Event Stable Manager certification, under FEI Solidarity

These discussions will play a key role in shaping the future direction of equestrian sport at international level.