EEF General Assembly 2024

The 2024 EEF General Assembly has taken place in Tallinn, Estonia. The members were given updates on the EEF activities from the past 12 months and made important decisions regarding the rules of the Longines EEF Series.

Following the usual procedures for approving the year-end budgets, items and reports, the General Assembly delegates were then presented with the updated Longines EEF Series rules for the 2025 season onwards. These rules had been discussed and proposed by the Jumping Working Group and the EEF Board. The rules included clarifications and improvements and a much discussed increase in the height of the regional qualifiers. Given that these matters were of a sporting kind, the weighted-voting system, approved by the 2023 General Assembly, was used for the first time. The system considers each nation's number of international athletes, hosting of international events, and Olympic and Paralympic participation to create the voting weight. The members approved all the rule changes, which will now be submitted to the FEI for final approval and inclusion.

The members also unanimously appointed Klaus Roeser (GER) as the new athlete representative in the EEF Board, following Eleonora Ottaviani’s departure due to reaching her maximum term. Klaus brings a wealth of experience as the Secretary General of the International Dressage Riders Club, chef d’equipe of the German Dressage Team, member of the EEF Dressage Working Group and chairman of the German National Dressage Committee.

The EEF President and delegates gave thanks to Eleonora, who has been a hugely influential member of the EEF Board across her 12-year term. She has been instrumental in developing the Longines EEF Series while representing the rider position throughout the discussions held by the EEF. Her commitment to the sport in Europe and the riders she represents has been inspirational to all, and the EEF is immensely grateful for the time she has given to the federation.

The Finnish Equestrian Federation presented its sustainability strategy to the members, which considers environmental, social, and horse welfare. They have been working on this strategy for several years and have undertaken considerable research into the economic impact of equestrianism, environmental impacts and other key data streams. The EEF members are urged to review this presentation and reach out for any assistance in developing similar programmes in their own country, with the Finish work providing an example of best practice strategy creation.

Finally, the FEI were in attendance and gave presentations on the FEI Horse App and new digital passport project alongside the wider FEI athlete services that they provide. They were available to answer queries from the members and update on items ahead of the FEI GA in November.

The EEF extends its gratitude to the Estonian Equestrian Federation for hosting this years General Assembly.