German NF Will Vote Against Relaxing of Blood Rule for Show Jumping

Dressage

Germany

Leading up to the 2025 FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong next week, the German Equestrian Federation has already taken a public stance that it will be voting against the relaxing of the blood rule for the show jumping discipline.

Warning

Each discipline within the FEI has different tolerance levels for blood on an a horse. Dressage is the most strict with a zero tolerance, but the most powerful and lucrative discipline, show jumping, wants their blood rule changed from elimination to a "warning".

The suggestion for this rule change was put forward by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) in agreement with the U.S. Equestrian federation. They believe that bleeding caused by a horse that "appears to have bitten its tongue or lip in a minor manner, or been bitten by an insect" is "minor blood with natural causes"

It should not lead to elimination, but "the Officials may authorise the rinsing or wiping of the blood and allow the Athlete/Horse Combination to continue." The rider will get a warning. "Should the same Person Responsible receive two or more Jumping Recorded Warnings at the same or any other Event within 12 months of the delivery of the first Jumping Recorded Warning, the Person Responsible shall be issued with a fine of CHF 1'000 and be automatically suspended for a period of one month, such suspension to commence on the day after the last day of the Event where the Second Jumping Recorded Warning was issued."

This potential rule change provoked much debate about the future of the sport and the compromising of the social licence to operate. The animal welfare group R-Haltenswert spoke against this possible rule change.

German FN Against

Richenhagen at the 2025 Dressage Europeans in Crozet

In a press release posted on 29 October 2025, the German equestrian federation has publicly announced it will vote against relaxing this rule.

"For the FN, the welfare of the horse is paramount in all our actions. This rule change is incompatible with this principle," explains FN President Martin Richenhagen, outlining the federation's position.

Delegates of more than 130 national federation at the General Assembly on 7 November 2025 will cast their vote for the rule change. The majority decides.

Denmark and Austria Against

Today, 31 October 2025, also the Danish equestrian federation issued their statement that they will not be voting in favour of the rule change.

"It is the DRF's assessment that the proposal does not benefit equestrian sport and does not take into account the interests of the horse. The Danish Equestrian Federation has therefore decided to vote against the proposal, which will be discussed at the upcoming FEI general meeting," the Danish NF stated.

They added, "the background to the decision is a desire to maintain and strengthen equestrian sport's responsibility for horse welfare. Overall, the federations assess that the specific proposal does not promote the sport or sufficiently address the interests of the horses."

Also the Austrian Federation (OEPS) followed suit. Although they did not issue their own statement on the OEPS website, they confirmed to EQWO.net that "From the perspective of the OEPS, such a relaxation of the rules would send the wrong signal. Any form of relativizing existing protective regulations weakens animal welfare and jeopardises the credibility of equestrian sport. Blood on a horse must never be considered acceptable."