No Fresh Elections, No Global Events: FEI Suspends India’s Equestrian Federation

India’s international equestrian participation is set to take a major hit after the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) decided to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1, 2026, citing a prolonged governance crisis and the failure to conduct fresh elections.

The suspension will prevent Indian riders, officials, trainers and horses from competing in international events organised by the FEI or other national federations. The EFI will also lose its right to attend or be represented at FEI meetings and will not be permitted to organise international competitions during the suspension.

In a letter dated October 15, the FEI informed EFI’s ad hoc committee members, Lt Col (retd) Sandeep Dewan and advocate Vidushpat Singhania, that its board had approved the decision at an online meeting on October 13.

The international body said the crisis had become unsustainable after the Delhi High Court dissolved EFI’s executive committee in February 2026 and fresh elections remained pending. The committee’s elected tenure had expired in September 2023, leaving the federation without a properly elected executive body for an extended period.

Although the FEI acknowledged the explanation submitted by the ad hoc committee on September 27 and appreciated its work, it said the absence of an elected leadership could not continue indefinitely.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had constituted the ad hoc committee on March 27 following the High Court’s directions to administer the federation and facilitate fresh elections. The polls are expected to be completed by January 31, 2027.

However, the suspension will begin before that deadline. The FEI has made clear that it will review the decision only after the elections have been held and their outcome evaluated, leaving India’s return to international competition dependent on the electoral process meeting its requirements.

The restrictions could also affect horses registered with foreign federations but trained by Indians. The FEI specifically flagged the case of endurance trainer Hari Singh Aam, who is registered with EFI. Horses trained by him but registered elsewhere will need a change of trainer to remain eligible for competition during the suspension.

Under FEI endurance rules, a horse cannot compete for 14 days after a trainer change is notified. The FEI said the changes must therefore be reported by November 17 for the horses to remain eligible from December 1.