FEI to suspend Equestrian Federation of India effective December 1 over governance crisis
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has decided to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) effective 1 December 2026, the FEI said in a letter dated October 15 to members of EFI's ad hoc committee after its board took the decision at an online meeting on October 13; the suspension bars Indian riders, officials, trainers and horses from participating in international competitions during the period of suspension.
The FEI told the ad hoc committee that the move followed a prolonged governance crisis arising from the Delhi High Court's dissolution of EFI's executive committee in February 2026, after the committee's elected tenure had expired in September 2023, and the absence of fresh elections since that court order. The Delhi High Court directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad hoc committee to administer the federation and facilitate elections, and the IOA formed that ad hoc committee on March 27. The FEI acknowledged a written explanation submitted by the ad hoc committee on September 27 and said it appreciated the work undertaken by the panel since its establishment by the IOA.
The FEI made the suspension decision at its board's online meeting on October 13 and set out the outcome in the October 15 letter addressed to Lt Col (retd) Sandeep Dewan and advocate Vidushpat Singhania; "Further to the FEI Board online meeting of 13 October 2026, please kindly note that the FEI Board decided to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India, with the suspension taking effect on 1 December 2026," the letter, a copy of which is in the possession of PTI, stated.
Explaining its rationale, the FEI wrote: "However, the dissolution by the High Court of Delhi in February 2026 of the Executive Committee of Equestrian Federation of India, whose elected tenure had expired in September 2023, coupled with the absence of elections to date to elect a new Executive Committee, has resulted in a prolonged governance and leadership irregularity that is no longer sustainable." The FEI said it had carefully considered the committee's written submission but concluded that the absence of an elected executive committee could not continue indefinitely.
The letter set out the operational consequences under FEI rules: "In accordance with Article 8.4 of the FEI Statutes, during the period of suspension, the Equestrian Federation of India may not attend or be represented at any session or meeting of any FEI body, nor may it organise international events," the letter stated. It added: "In addition, its members (including athletes, officials and trainers) and horses may not participate in international events organised by the FEI or any other National Federation, whether under the Indian flag or the FEI flag."
The FEI flagged specific implications for Indian endurance competitors, noting that Indian endurance trainer Hari Singh Aam is registered with EFI; horses trained by him but registered with other national federations will require a change of trainer to remain eligible to compete from December 1. Citing Article 828.3 of the FEI Endurance Rules, the FEI said a horse whose registered trainer changes cannot participate in a competition for 14 days from the date the change is notified, and any such change must therefore be notified by November 17 for the horses to remain eligible from December 1.
The FEI noted that elections to the EFI executive committee were expected to take place by January 31, 2027, and made clear that the suspension "will be reviewed once elections for the Executive Committee have been held and have been evaluated by the FEI." India's resumption of participation in FEI-sanctioned international events therefore depends on the completion of those elections and the FEI's subsequent evaluation.