FEI SPORTS FORUM 2026
Lausanne (SUI), 30 March 2026 Youth in focus at the start of the FEI Sports Forum 2026 
Photo caption: The Youth Development panel at the FEI Sports Forum 2026. Pictured from left to right: Áine Power, FEI Executive Director, Sport & Games; Pavla Krauspe (SVK), Chair FEI Vaulting Committee; Corinne Bracken (HKG) – Performance manager, Hong Kong Jockey Club; Eventing athlete Sarah Giulia Goldschlag (ITA); Dressage athlete Renderson Silva de Olivera (BRA); Denis Flannelly (IRL) - Lead Consultant for Youth Show Jumping High Performance Programme, Horse Sport Ireland; Para Dressage athlete Katie Reilly (IRL). © FEI/Germain Arias-Schreiber FEI President Ingmar De Vos welcomed over 230 participants to the 15th FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI) and introduced this year’s forward-looking programme, which combines discussions on the full rules revisions in Dressage, Para Dressage and Veterinary Regulations, with sessions on youth development, elite athlete pathways, innovation, and global engagement. The President, who will finish his third and final term in December of this year, expressed particular enthusiasm for the first session, “From Pony to Podium: Our Youth, Our Future,” a priority highlighted throughout his 12-year mandate. A wide range of topics was explored during the session, including the role of social media, the importance of coaches, trainers and the chefs d’équipe, youth rankings, access to horses and shows, the balance between theory and practice, regulatory frameworks, and the responsibilities of National Federations. Particular emphasis was placed on horse welfare. As Sarah Giulia Goldschlag, a young eventing rider from Italy, noted, “If you don’t love the horse, you cannot progress in this sport. Your horse must always be in the best possible condition. You owe respect to your horse, both as an athlete and as an animal.” Renderson Silva de Oliveira, a Pan American Games 2023 team silver medallist in Dressage from Brazil with a strong social media following, added “When I post on social media, the horse is more important than me. People believe in us. They dream with me.” The day continued with a session focused on the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028. Following the consultation period, the Regulations will be submitted for a vote at the FEI General Assembly on 5 December 2026. The final session of Day 1 of the FEI Sports Forum 2026 was dedicated to the FEI Dressage Rules, which are undergoing a full revision this year. Sessions summaries Explore summaries of each of the Sports Forum’s opening and the day’s three sessions via the links below: Opening Session 1: From Pony to Podium: Our Youth, Our Future Session 2: FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games LA28 Session 3: FEI Dressage Rules Presentations The PowerPoint presentations from each session are available in PDF format on the FEI Sports Forum 2026 online hub, under the Session Documents section. Photographs A selection of photographs is now available for download here. Media briefing A media briefing with the FEI President and Secretary General will take place on Tuesday, 31 March, at the conclusion of the Sports Forum, at approximately 17:30 CEST. Media representatives covering the event remotely will be able to join online. To receive the login details, please contact didier.montes@fei.org. About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm. The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance and Vaulting. The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its six able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving. FEI Media contacts Vanessa Martin Randin
Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations - Corporate Campaigns & Advocacy
FEI Communications
vanessa.randin@fei.org +41 78 750 61 73 Malina Gueorguiev Manager, Governance Communications, Stakeholder & Media Relations FEI Communications malina.gueorguiev@fei.org +41 78 750 61 33 |