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The decision will disrupt India’s international equestrian participation until the governance issue is resolved and the FEI completes its evaluation of the electoral process.
India’s return to international competition depends on the completion of the polls. (PTI Photo)
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) will suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1, citing a prolonged governance crisis stemming from the absence of an elected executive committee. The suspension will prevent Indian riders, officials, trainers and horses from competing in international events for the duration of the ban.
The decision was communicated in a letter dated October 15 to members of EFI’s ad hoc committee, Lt Col (retd) Sandeep Dewan and advocate Vidushpat Singhania. According to the letter, the FEI board approved the suspension at an online meeting held on October 13.
“Further to the FEI Board online meeting of 13 October 2026, please kindly note that the FEI Board decided to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India, with the suspension taking effect on 1 December 2026,” news agency PTI quoted the letter as reading.
The FEI attributed its decision to the Delhi High Court’s dissolution of EFI’s executive committee in February 2026 and the failure to conduct fresh elections since then. The elected committee’s tenure had expired in September 2023.
“However, the dissolution by the High Court of Delhi in February 2026 of the Executive Committee of Equestrian Federation of India, whose elected tenure had expired in September 2023, coupled with the absence of elections to date to elect a new Executive Committee, has resulted in a prolonged governance and leadership irregularity that is no longer sustainable,” the letter said.
While acknowledging the written explanation submitted by EFI’s ad hoc committee on September 27, the FEI also recognised the work carried out by the panel since the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) established it on March 27. However, the international body said the governance impasse could not continue without a resolution.
Elections to the EFI executive committee are expected to be completed by January 31, 2027. The FEI has made it clear, however, that the suspension will not be lifted automatically once the polls are held. The electoral process and its outcome must first be evaluated by the international governing body.
“The suspension will be reviewed once elections for the Executive Committee have been held and have been evaluated by the FEI,” the letter said.
No International Participation
The restrictions will affect both EFI as an organisation and its affiliated participants. Under Article 8.4 of the FEI Statutes, the suspended federation will be barred from attending or being represented at meetings and sessions of FEI bodies. It will also be prohibited from organising international events.
“In accordance with Article 8.4 of the FEI Statutes, during the period of suspension, the Equestrian Federation of India may not attend or be represented at any session or meeting of any FEI body, nor may it organise international events,” the letter stated.
The ban will also extend to athletes, officials, trainers and horses associated with EFI, preventing them from taking part in international competitions organised by the FEI or other national federations, regardless of whether they compete under the Indian flag or the FEI flag.
“In addition, its members (including athletes, officials and trainers) and horses may not participate in international events organised by the FEI or any other National Federation, whether under the Indian flag or the FEI flag.”
The restrictions are expected to disrupt India’s participation in international equestrian sport from December 1 until the governance dispute is resolved and the FEI completes its assessment of the elections.
The FEI has separately flagged the implications of the suspension for Indian endurance trainer Hari Singh Aam, who is registered with EFI.
Horses trained by Aam but registered with other national federations will need to have their registered trainer changed if they are to remain eligible for competition from December 1.
The requirement arises from Article 828.3 of the FEI Endurance Rules, which stipulates that a horse cannot compete for 14 days after a change of registered trainer has been notified.
Consequently, any change involving the affected horses must be notified by November 17 to ensure they can compete from December 1.
How the governance dispute unfolded
The crisis developed after EFI’s executive committee continued beyond the end of its elected term in September 2023, leading to legal proceedings over the federation’s administration and the conduct of fresh elections.
In February 2026, the Delhi High Court dissolved the executive committee and directed the IOA to establish an ad hoc committee to manage the federation and oversee the process of holding new elections.
The IOA constituted the committee on March 27. Despite the interim arrangement, the electoral process remained unfinished. The FEI subsequently sought an explanation from the committee in September before deciding whether to impose a suspension.
In its latest communication, the FEI said it had examined the ad hoc committee’s written response but determined that the continued absence of an elected executive committee was no longer sustainable.
With the suspension scheduled to begin on December 1, the deadline for completing the elections falls nearly two months later, on January 31, 2027. India’s resumption of international competition will depend on the polls being held and the FEI subsequently evaluating the electoral process and deciding whether the suspension can be reviewed.
With PTI Inputs
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Ask News18The International Equestrian Federation suspended the Equestrian Federation of India due to a prolonged governance crisis caused by the Delhi High Court’s dissolution of its executive committee in February 2026 and the failure to conduct fresh elections.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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