Sport

Photo: Neddens Tierfoto

When FEIF was formed in 1969, one of its founding goals was a set of recurring international competitions. The European Championships (first held in 1970 in Aegidienberg, Germany) matured into the World Championships (first held in 1991 in in Norrkoping, Sweden), and the need for uniform competition rules and tests was obvious, as were the training and the examining of the people to judge them.

In 1976 FEIF published the first set  of rules, named IPO International. The international sport rules would undergo regular revisions in the decade that followed, some of the modifications were marginal, others were structural and even revolutionary. The name of the rules where changed to FEIF Islandpferdeprüfungs-Ordnung, for many years known as FIPO. Since 2017 all rules have been put together in one big book, the FEIF Rules and Regulations.

Tracks and tests

Gaited tests in tölt, four gait (walk, trot, canter, tölt) and five gait (walk, trot, canter, tölt and pace) – with different levels of difficulty – are ridden on an oval track. The performance of horse and rider is judged, mainly through the quality of the gaits. 

Races in pace (both with flying start and start from start boxes) take place on (straight) pace tracks. The pace track is also used for the pace test, a test focussing on the combination of the quality of the gait and the speed.

Other tests emphasize other qualities of horse and rider, like flag race, trail, cross country, in hand showing and free style performance.

Photo by Neddens Tierfoto

WorldRanking

FEIF started the WorldRanking in 1995. No matter where you compete as a rider, you compete with other riders at other events for a position in one or more rankings.

The WorldRanking compares the performance of rider-horse combinations in Tölt T1, T2, T3 and T4; Four gait V1 and V2; Five gait F1 and F2; Pace test PP1; Pace races P1 250m, P2 SpeedPass 100m, and P3 150m. To ensure a level playing field for all riders, WorldRanking events have to meet certain standards: the programme of tests, the dimensions of the oval track and pace track, the way equipment checks are performed, and of course, the judges.

World Championships

World Championships are organised every two years (uneven years) in one of the member countries. The event is the opportunity to experience the best horses and riders!

All full FEIF member associations may send teams that can comprise of up to 7 rider/horse combinations and up to five extra eligible rider/horse combinations plus a limited number of reserve rider/horse combinations. 

In 2023 we are looking forward to welcome you at the great premises in Oirschot, Netherlands – you might remember this place from the World Championships 2017 – with a fantastic celebration of the Icelandic horse, the best riders of the world and an unforgettable experience for thousands of spectators from all over the world!

Photo: Neddens Tierfoto

World Championship judges 2017

International Sport Judges

Sport judges are officials adjudicating at sport tournaments. Sport judges ensure that Rules are being followed, that events are carried out in the fair spirit of good sportsmanship and that the welfare of the horse is kept paramount at all times.

The sport judge licences have various degrees, the license as a FEIF International Sport Judge being the most advanced. The individual FEIF member associations are responsible for basic education, training and certification of sport judges at lower levels. The sole right to certificate FEIF Licenced International Sport Judges lies with FEIF

 

WorldRanking

See the positions of any rider in the FEIF  WorldRanking

Get in touch

Contact the Sport Committee or find the sport leader of your country.

Documents

Get the latest documents and R&R from the Sport department.

Upcoming WorldRanking events

  • 23-24 Mar 2024
    Ellenbacher Hengstschau 2024 (WR)
    Gestüt Ellenbach (Germany)
  • 23-24 Mar 2024
    Ellenbacher Hengstschau 2024 (WR)
    Germany
  • 30 Mar-01 Apr 2024
    Easter competition ( Wedstrijden Wortel )
    Wortel (Belgium)
  • 30 Mar-01 Apr 2024
    Easter competition ( Wedstrijden Wortel )
    Wortel (Belgium)
  • 04-07 Apr 2024
    Icehorse Festival
    Herning, DK (Denmark)
  • 04-07 Apr 2024
    Icehorse Festival 2024 – Sport
    Denmark
  • 13 Apr 2024
    Fengur-Sundabakki Sport WR 1
    Sundabakki Islandshästar (Sweden)
  • 13-14 Apr 2024
    WR Exloo 2024
    Hippisch Centrum Exloo (Netherlands)
  • 13 Apr 2024
    Marma Torp WR Sport Nivå 2
    Marma Torp, SE (Sweden)
  • 13 Apr 2024
    Marma Torp WR Sport Nivå 2
    Marma Torp, SE (Sweden)

Other Sport events

  • 23-24 Mar 2024
    Ellenbacher Hengstschau 2024 (WR)
    Germany
  • 24 Mar 2024
    Iceland-Indoors
    Switzerland
  • 30 Mar 2024
    Qualitag Móarbær 2024
    Germany
  • 04-07 Apr 2024
    Icehorse Festival 2024 – Sport
    Denmark
  • 06 Apr 2024
    Qualitag Heesberg Frühling 2024
    Germany
  • 13-14 Apr 2024
    WR Exloo 2024
    Netherlands
  • 20 Apr 2024
    Qualitag Sachsenhausen 2024
    Germany
  • 27 Apr 2024
    Skeifa: Et-dags-stævne DRL forår
    Denmark
  • 01-07 Jul 2024
    Landsmót Hestamanna 2024
    Hestamannafélagið Fákur (Iceland)
  • 13-21 Jul 2024
    FEIF YouthCup 2024
    Münsingen (Switzerland)

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Equipment 2024

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Annual Sport Meeting 2024

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