History - Timeline

680 BC – Horsesport is introduced to the Ancient Olympic Games. The Games ran between 776 AD and 393 AD, every four years without fail.

1896 – The new Olympic Games are reintroduced by Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

1909 – The first Jumping Nations Cup is held in London and San Sebastian.

1912 – The Equestrian disciplines (Jumping, Dressage and Eventing) become part of the format of the new Olympic Games.

1921 – The FEI is formed in Lausanne, Switzerland. It regulates international events in Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. The founding members are France, USA, Sweden, Japan, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Italy.

1930 – FEI prints its first publication, the FEI Bulletin.

1953 – The first world Jumping Championships take place in Paris, followed by Dressage and Eventing in 1966, Driving in 1972, Vaulting and Endurance in 1986, and Reigning in 2002.

1964 – Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh becomes FEI President.

1970 – Driving becomes an FEI discipline.

1982 – Endurance becomes an FEI discipline.

1983 – Vaulting becomes an FEI discipline.

1986 – Princess Royal becomes FEI President.

1990 – The first edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games are held in Stockholm.

1994 – HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón becomes FEI President

1996 – Para-Equestrian Dressage becomes part of the Paralympic Games.

2000 – Reining becomes an FEI discipline.

2006 – HRH Princess Haya becomes FEI President. The FEI also becomes the governing body for Para-Equestrian Dressage and Para-Equestrian Driving disciplines. The FEI is still the only International Federation to govern and regulate a sport for both able bodied and disabled athletes.

2009 – The FEI launches the first ever Year of Youth and new publication FEI Focus. The Clean Sport Campaign is overwhelmingly adpoted at the 2009 FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen.