THE FEI had a net financial profit of €3.7 million in 2023. The FEI General Assembly took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE this week, with 80 of the 136 member nations attending in person and 17 voting online to reach the quorum of 69.

The FEI finance director presented the audited financial statement for 2023. In 2023, the total net revenues amounted to CHF 57,382,371 (€61.2 million) and expenses to CHF 54,962,911 (€58.6 million).

The net financial results were CHF 1,069,835 (€1.14 million) thanks to the positive performance of the portfolio which had begun to recover from the heavy loss incurred the previous year.

The assembly learned that interest rates had stabilised and inflation seemed to be in control after the sharp increase in 2022. The FEI wrap-up report concluded: “The year 2023 was a good year for the FEI with a net profit of 3,489,295 (€3.7 million). This brings the FEI’s reserves to just over CHF 24 million, close to the minimum of CHF 25 million recommended in the FEI risk evaluation strategy.”

Given the positive results, the FEI Solidarity Fund was not used for the 2023 projects, keeping CHF 1.2 million for use in future projects.

As of December 31st 2023, the balance of the FEI Solidarity Fund amounted to CHF 10.86 million, which has been accounted for in the audited figures. The finance director presented the revised budget for 2024. At the FEI General Assembly 2023, a budget with a deficit of CHF 391,115 had been presented. As a result, the spending and revenue based on FEI strategic priorities were analysed. The review challenged the expenses and prioritises projects for 2024 bringing the revised budget to a neutral net result.

Increase in registration fee

The finance director also presented the budget for 2025, which is based on a favourable economic outlook with inflation stabilised across Europe and the USA, combined with the decrease of interest rates from central banks.

The budget outlines the total commercial revenues; total operational revenues; total non-operational revenues; total commercial expenses; total operational expenses; and the total general and administrative expenses.

Overall, the budget has a neutral net result mainly supported by the planned provision release of CHF 1.5 million.

The General Assembly approved the financial charges for the year 2025. A notable change compared to previous years is the increase of the Human Athlete registration fee from CHF 10 to CHF 55. “Since the introduction of the Human Athlete registration in 2006, the annual fee has remained at CHF 10, despite the significant expansion of services and digital solutions provided by the FEI over the past two decades,” the wrap-up report said. The registration for horses/ponies will also be increased to CHF 55. It was agreed both changes will be applicable as of January 2026.

Eventing falls

The overall number of eventing falls in 2024 decreased at all levels except for three-star which had remained stable.

The five-star level fall rate had decreased by 51% (provisional data June 30th 2024), which was the lowest rate attained for the last 10 years (2020 excluded due to Covid).

Horse falls have decreased by 35% from 1.40% in 2016 to 0.91% in 2024 (June 30th 2024) with 0.10% rotational falls recorded. Rotational falls had shown a consistent decreasing trend since 2013.A number of rule changes were approved, all of which can be viewed on the FEI website.

Britain’s Jenny Hall, FEI veterinary chair and board member, was elected as FEI vice president until 2026, replacing Marc Samuel (CAN) who was appointed honorary vice president.

The FEI Sports Forum 2025 will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 31st and April 1st, 2025.

On the agenda will be the qualification rules for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, plus the FEI Jumping Rules, which will undergo full revision next year.