International Federation for Equestrian Sports

The Fédération Équestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI) or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines. Eight disciplines are under global governance: dressage, combined driving, endurance riding, eventing, para-equestrianism, reining, show jumping, and vaulting. Two disciplines are under regional governance: horseball and tent pegging.

The FEI does not govern or provide rules for horse racing or polo, but in the latter case, it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of International Polo. The FEI has organized the FEI World Equestrian Games quadrennially (every four years) since 1990.

The FEI headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland.

An FEI code of conduct protects the welfare of the horses from physical abuse or doping.

History
The FEI was formed in 1921 with the joining of the national organizations of Belgium (BEL), Denmark (DEN), France (FRA), Italy (ITA), Japan (JAP), Norway (NOR), Sweden (SWE) and the United States of America (USA). Today, there are 134 National Organizations who are affiliated with the FEI, the newest members being Albania, Cambodia, and Yemen who joined in 2007.

Presidents
There have been 12 different presidents of the organization, serving 13 individual terms. Major Jhkr Karl F. Quarles van Ufford is the only individual to have served twice.