A dispute between the International Eventing Officials Club and Fédération Equestre Internationale will culminate in a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Switzerland), the international body that arbitrates disputes in sport. Set for fall of this year, the hearing will address a conflict between FEI and the IEOC, the organization that represents eventing officials globally, over the termination of a memorandum of understanding.

That MOU recognized the IEOC as an FEI stakeholder, acknowledging its right to be consulted on matters affecting eventing officials. The IEOC says that in February 2024, the FEI terminated the memorandum, which was temporarily reinstated by the FEI tribunal. However, the IEOC says that the FEI has not regarded the organization as a stakeholder since August 2024. 

The IEOC stated in a press release that its representatives have made attempts to arrange mediation that the FEI has declined. 

“We, the IEOC, do not wish to see this dispute end up in court,” said Andy Griffiths, the IEOC chair, in the release. “We have always been clear in our desire to resolve this matter amicably through constructive dialogue with the FEI, and we remain open to discussions at any time. However, we are equally determined to ensure that our members’ rights are respected and that the critical role of officials in protecting the safety, integrity and fairness of our sport is recognized.”

An FEI spokesperson told the Chronicle that the memorandum was terminated when communication between the two parties disintegrated. 

“The MOU between the FEI and the IEOC was founded on a relationship of mutual trust and respect, with the shared goal of advancing the sport of eventing,” the FEI spokesperson said in an emailed response. “Unfortunately, this foundation broke down due to a significant and sustained breach of trust, and despite multiple efforts, it became clear that further dialogue and collaboration with the IEOC management was no longer possible.”

Despite the defunct memorandum, the IEOC says it has continued its work. The 26-year-old organization is made up of more than 800 members representing 110 countries. It was created to platform the experiences and perspectives of eventing officials globally and ensure their expertise contributes to the governance of eventing.  

IEOC representatives say that they’ve brought the issue to court because they feel the FEI’s actions have undermined the safe and fair governance of eventing officials through the loss of the memorandum, the mechanism by which the officials—often volunteers—are represented. 

“Our priority is and will always remain representing our members’ interests and providing a platform for their voices to be heard,” Griffiths said in the release. “While we regret the need to pursue this case, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure the continued reasonable representation of officials in the governance of eventing.”

The FEI maintains that their conflict is with IEOC management but not with the officials themselves. The spokesperson said that eventing officials still have representation, albeit not through the IEOC. 

“This decision pertains solely to the relationship between the FEI and the IEOC management. It does not, in any way, affect the FEI’s relationship with eventing officials,” the FEI spokesperson wrote. “On the contrary, the FEI remains fully committed to maintaining a constructive and respectful dialogue with its officials and ensuring their voices are heard. Their views continue to be represented on the FEI Eventing Committee by eventing officials.”

The FEI plans to continue working “directly and transparently with all eventing officials,” rather than through the governing body. But IEOC representatives said that they would like to see the issue resolved in court, and for the organization to once again be acknowledged by the FEI as the primary voice of eventing officials.