Proposed Rule Changes at 2025 FEI General Assembly: Snaffles at 3* Grand Prix Level, Resistance in FOP, No Increase of Age for GP Horses

Dressage

FEI

At the 2025 FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong on 5 - 7 November 2025 representatives of National Equestrian Federations from around the world gather to map the future of equestrian sport.

Hong Kong returns as host of the GA after first welcoming the General Assembly in 1998.

"This Assembly promises to be a platform for meaningful dialogue, fostering actionable outcomes that will propel the global growth of equestrianism," stated Lester G Huang SBS JP, President of the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong. "We eagerly anticipate collaborating with National Federations worldwide to achieve our shared vision for the future."

Sabrina Ibanez, secretary-general of the FEI, added, "In the last 27 years, equestrian sport and our organisation have evolved significantly. The number of National Federations has grown from 117 in 1998 to 136 today. In 2006 Para Equestrian came under the governance of the FEI. New Equine and Medication Control Rules were introduced and the extensive Clean Sport Programme was rolled out in 2009. The first edition of the FEI Sports Forum – the valuable discussion platform open to the entire community – took place in 2012. In 2020, the FEI secured for the first time top-tier placing in the review of International Federation Governance conducted by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). These are only some of the key achievements we have reached together under the leadership of three FEI Presidents."

Dressage Rule Change Proposals

At the FEI General Assembly rule changes and propositions for change in the sport will be voted upon.

**Snaffle Allowed at 3* Grand Prix Level**

The FEI has proposed that the snaffle will be optional, also at CDI3* and CDIO3* events at Grand Prix level.

The new proposed wording will be: "A snaffle bridle or double bridle is allowed in CDI1* and CDI2*, CDIO1*, CDIO2*, CDIJ*, CDIOJ*, CDIY, CDIOY, CDIU25, CDIYH for seven (7) year old Horses, Junior* and Young Rider Championships. A snaffle bridle or double bridle is also allowed in CDI3* and CDIO3*.

Note*: As part of the Full Rule Revision for Dressage in 2026, an item under consideration is to no longer permit the use of the double bridle in CDIJ, CDIOJ and Junior Championships. If such a proposal were to be brought forward and ultimately approved by the FEI General Assembly in 2026, it would take effect as of 1 January 2027."

Youth Riders at the WYCH

Youth riders may not compete both in an FEI Championship for Junior/Young/U25 Riders and in any FEI Championship or Games for Seniors in the same calendar year. This also includes the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses (WCYH)

The FEI has proposed to remove this restriction for the WCYH.

Updating of the Tests

The International Dressage Officials Club wants to implement movements where the suppleness and self-carriage of the horse could be assed (such as Stretching and Give and Retake the reins) in the Big Tour tests.

The DTC is in agreement that the tests needs to be updated, but propose a working group for it. "The DTC is in full agreement that all the Dressage tests should be revised to include movements where the suppleness and self-carriage of the horse can be better assessed, placing greater emphasis on assessing correct training, in accordance with the Scale of Training. For this purpose, a Working Group has been established to review all tests and consult with Stakeholders regarding proposed amendments where appropriate. No change in the Dressage Rules; tests to be updated as part of the Dressage Strategic Action Planning Process"

Resistance in the Field of Play

The concept of "Field of Play" should be clearer described in the rules, which should specify that the Field of Play encompasses not only the official arena but also the area that surrounds it. Therefore, any resistance lasting more than 20 seconds or that may bring danger to the rider, horse, public or officials in the whole area of the Field of Play (arena and area that surrounds it) should be cause of elimination of the combination, even before entering the arena at A.

The FEI DTC defines the “Field of Play” as the arena and the space around the arena, after the Combination leaves the Stewards’ supervision and is visible to the Ground Jury, i.e. the area around the arena where the Combination is in the field of vision of the Ground Jury Judges. Resistance is defined by the Horse physically or mentally not cooperating with the Athlete.

The FEI proposed the following rule change to Art 425.5.2. on resistance: "Any resistance which prevents the continuation of the test and lasts longer than twenty (20) seconds is punished by Elimination. However, resistance that may endanger Athlete, Horse, Officials or the public will result in elimination for safety reasons earlier than within twenty (20) seconds even if the duration of the resistance does not exceed twenty (20) seconds. This provision also applies from the moment the Combination enters the space around the arena."

In addition it has been proposed that "Organisers and the FEI are permitted to use a static camera to make video recording / live streaming of the practice arena(s) to be shown at the venue."

Publicizing Judges Commentary

The IDOC proposed the publicizing the remarks of judges as it will illustrate how deeply committed is the Dressage judging with the welfare of the horse. It also highlights the important of transparency within the sport, the understanding of the public and our social license to publish these remarks as soon as competitions are finished.

The DTC is deferring this rule change to 2026 as it feels that the IDRC and IDTC need to be consulted first.

The DTC stated, "following this consultation process, the proposal could be trialed on a pilot basis at selected events. Furthermore, it is the opinion of the DTC that no changes to the existing rule should be made until further consideration following the consultation and trial process as outlined above. The DTC agree that Athletes should have the option to choose whether or not their respective comments are made public. This option should be clearly presented and easily manageable for the Athletes (e.g., by ticking a box)."

Blood Near the Mouth

IDOC proposes a small expansion of the blood rule, particularly when blood is spotted not just in the mouth area but also around (broken skin due to bit rubbing).

The FEI proposed rule change is:
"5.6.1. If the Judge at C suspects fresh blood anywhere on the horse during the test from the moment the Combination enters the space around the arena until the test is concluded, they will stop the Horse to check for blood. If the Horse shows fresh blood, it will be eliminated. The elimination is final. If the Judge through examination clarifies that the Horse has no fresh blood, the Horse may resume and finish its test.
5.6.2. If the FEI Steward discovers fresh blood in the Horse’s mouth or in the area of the mouth or the area of the spurs during the check at the end of the test, they inform the Judge at C, who will eliminate the Horse and the Athlete.."

Harmonization of Officials' Reimbursement

IDOC requested that all officials (Judges, including para judges, and stewards) should get the same fee, not depending on the level/discipline etc. In the name of harmonization. After the suggestion of the FEI, IDOC met with DO in 2023 and both stakeholders agreed on 160 EUR per day.

The proposed increase in the Officials Per Diem is supported by the Dressage Technical Committee. However, this proposal does not meet the criteria for a partial Rule change and will be considered at the next full Revision of the Dressage Rules in 2026 for implementation on 1 January 2027.

Rule Changes that Didn't Make the Cut

Increasing the Collective Marks to Two

Just like many years before the IDRC as well as the GER NF, the AUT NF and EEF again pushed for an increased amount of collective marks, after they were reduced from four to one mark because scientific evidence proved that judges abuse these collective marks to either push a score up or down for (non-)favoured rider. This time the group wants the collective marks increased to two: scale of training / harmony of rider and horse

The DTC replied that it "does not support a change to the number of collective marks. This topic was considered in 2018 by the Dressage Judging Working Group (Task Force), supported by Research from Nottingham Trent University, and it was concluded that collective marks exacerbate the cumulative impact on cognitive load. The Dressage test concludes with the final halt and salute, and all aspects are judged continuously throughout the course of the test. Therefore, we should not disregard the science, nor the information provided by the experts from Nottingham Trent University who specialize in these matters. However, the DTC is particularly sensitive to the issue of evaluating Harmony and the Scale of Training. The DTC proposes renaming the “General Impression” mark “Harmony” to include harmony, cooperation, lightness, effectiveness, and sensitivity of aids as well as adherence to the Training Scale."

The proposed rule change is now to change the wording of the one collective mark to "Harmony and demonstration of the Training Scale" instead of "general impression".

**4* Level Access Remains via 3* Shows**

The AUT NF, EEF, and IDRC pushed for no minimum qualification requirements to ride at 4* level, but the Dressage Committee did not support the proposed change.

The DTC replied, "as stated in 2024, the DTC believes that this principle of qualifying in a CDI3* is effective in maintaining a high standard in the CDI4* and CDI5* competitions. Also, it is positive for the CDI3* OCs to have top Athletes participating."

Age Limit for Grand Prix Horses

The Polish NF asked for an age limit for Grand Prix horses, setting the limit at 9, as it "will help protect them at home allowing their musculoskeletal system and mentality to mature. While some exceptionally talented horses may show the ability to perform at a younger age, we must resist the urge to show them too soon."

The DTC has looked at the statistics and is not changing the age limit. Its decision is: "This has been discussed with the Dressage Strategic Action Planning Group and the statistics show that the number of 8-year-old Horses competing at GP level is very low. Based on this analysis, we would not support making a change to the minimum age of Horses taking part in GP competitions. Instead, it is proposed to consider the average number of starts for 8-year-old horses in GP competitions per month / year as part of the full Rule Revision process in 2026."

On Curb Chains and Curb Angles

The Austrian NF and EEF proposed a new rule which says, "A correctly fitted curb chain should come into effect when engaging the curb rein nor more then but approximately 45 degree angle."

IDOC proposed that "the angle of the shank should be limited at 45 degrees, when it rotates backwards."

The FEI replied that "measuring the angle of the shank of the curb bit needs to be considered carefully to ensure repeatable methodology can be utilized. This proposal will be considered as part of the full rules revision process."

Padding of the curb chain remains optional.

IDOC Wants a Voice to Appoint Judges for Championships

As a FEI recognized stakeholder and having almost 400 members (199 FEI Officials), IDOC wants to have a voice on indicating the official panel in the Championships. It believes the FEI should take into account proposition made by IDOC

The FEI responded that it does not support this proposal. "It would be a conflict of interest for IDOC to recommend the Officials to be appointed to CHs/Games/Finals. IDOC may be consulted as needed, but the current procedure of appointments will remain unchanged."

Read the official rule proposal change document here.