Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 16: The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has decided to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1, 2026, citing a prolonged governance crisis that has left the national body without an elected executive committee.

The decision was taken at an online meeting of the FEI board on October 13 and communicated in a letter dated October 15 to members of the EFI ad hoc committee, Lt Col (retd) Sandeep Dewan and advocate Vidushpat Singhania.

During the suspension, Indian riders, officials, trainers and horses will be barred from participating in international competitions organised by the FEI or other national federations, whether under the Indian flag or the FEI flag. The EFI will also be prohibited from attending or being represented at FEI meetings and from organising international events.

The FEI said the dissolution of EFI’s executive committee by the Delhi High Court in February 2026, combined with the failure to hold fresh elections, had created a prolonged governance and leadership irregularity.

The executive committee’s elected tenure had expired in September 2023. The FEI acknowledged the explanation submitted by the ad hoc committee on September 27 and appreciated the work carried out by the panel since its formation by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on March 27.

Elections to the EFI executive committee are expected to be held by January 31, 2027. However, the FEI said the suspension would be reviewed only after the elections are completed and their outcome evaluated by the international governing body.

The decision also has implications for Indian endurance trainer Hari Singh Aam, who is registered with the EFI. Horses trained by him but registered with other national federations will require a change of trainer to remain eligible for competition from December 1.

Citing Article 828.3 of the FEI Endurance Rules, the federation said a horse cannot compete for 14 days after a change of registered trainer is notified. Any such change must therefore be reported by November 17 for the horses to remain eligible from December 1.

The governance dispute stems from the continuation of the EFI executive committee beyond its elected tenure and subsequent legal proceedings over the federation’s administration and electoral process.

The Delhi High Court dissolved the executive committee in February 2026 and directed the IOA to establish an ad hoc committee to manage the federation and facilitate fresh elections. However, the electoral process remained incomplete, prompting the FEI to seek an explanation before deciding on the suspension.

India’s participation in international equestrian events will remain affected until the elections are held and the FEI completes its review of the federation’s governance.