Competing at International Shows in the UK - What You Need to Know
Tuesday 09 June 2015
The increased number of FEI shows taking place in the UK may mean that some of you will be competing at your first international show. This brief guide outlines what you need to do in order to jump at these shows.
Q: Does my horse need an FEI Passport to compete at an International show in the UK?
A: You can compete up to 2* level in this country with just your National horse passport and FEI Horse and Rider Registrations, however you must ensure your horse vaccinations comply with FEI Rules, i.e. the competition must be within the six monthly vaccination span, please also be aware of the seven day rule, if in doubt always contact the International Team . Your horse will need an FEI Passport for 3* and above to compete at International shows in this country.
An FEI horse passport costs £195 and application forms can be downloaded at www.britishshowjumping.co.uk. Please note that passports take approximately 2 - 5 working days to process therefore please apply in plenty of time. Passport applications are dealt with in date order, as they are received in the office. You can also apply for an FEI Passport via your online membership account, however please remember that we are unable to process on-line applications until the horse’s breeding passport arrives in the office.
We require your horses breeding passport when making your application as it is an offence for any horse/pony to be in possession of more than one passport. FEI Passports are fully compliant with UK Defra Passport regulations. Horses applying for a new FEI Passport will require a microchip number to be recorded in their original breeding passport.
Q: How do I renew an FEI Passport that has expired?
Send in your FEI Passport to the International Office, ensuring first that all vaccinations are up to date, enclose it with an FEI Passport Application form, circle the revalidation amount and enclose the relevant payment by cheque or by completing the credit card details, if you have a direct debit you may also pay by this method.
Q: Do I need to register myself and my horses with the FEI?
A: All horses and riders competing in FEI competitions (in the UK or overseas) will need to be registered with the FEI. FEI registrations run annually from 1st January – 31st December and the cost of FEI Horse & Rider Registrations are as follows:
FEI Horse Registration £25.00 each
International Competitors Licence & FEI Rider Registration £205.00 each
(single event licence for one UK only event is available at £25.00 each)
Any horse/rider competing at an FEI competition without a valid FEI registration will be automatically disqualified. You can download application forms at www.britishshowjumping.co.uk, or alternatively you can apply via your online membership account. Horses registering with the FEI for the first time will require a microchip number to be recorded in their original breeding passport.
Q: What vaccinations will my horses need?
A: All horses competing in FEI competitions will need to comply with the FEI vaccination requirements, as follows:
From 1 January 2005 onwards, influenza vaccination for all Horses competing in FEI competitions requires a vaccination within six months + 21 days of the competition. All Horses intending to participate in FEI competition must have at least received an initial primary course of two vaccinations, given between 21 and 92 days apart.
Thereafter, a third dose (referred to as the first booster) must be given within 7 months after the date of administration of the second primary dose, with at least annual boosters given subsequently (i.e. within one year of the last dose).
If the Horse is scheduled to take part in an FEI competition, the last booster must have been given within 6 months + 21 days of arrival at the FEI Event. (The 21-day window has been provided to enable vaccination requirements to fit in with the horse's competition schedule).
All Horses that were certified as correctly vaccinated under the previous FEI equine influenza vaccination rule prior to 1st January 2005, do not need to start a primary course again provided that they have complied with the previous rule of primary course and annual re-vaccinations and the new rule of a booster vaccination within 6months + 21 days of the day of arrival at the FEI Event.
If you have had to re-start vaccinations, the two primaries must be in the National Passport before it is sent to the office to upgrade to an FEI Passport. Please also note that vaccinations must not be administered within 7 days of the horse entering the stabling for an FEI show.
Q: When I arrive at the show, does my horse need to pass a veterinary inspection in order to compete?
A: Yes, the trot up is one of the most important days at an international show. It is very important that your horse is presented correctly and that you know how to trot it up. At some of the shows the team vet will check your horse prior to the F.E.I. vet check. Please have your horse available for him when asked. The following notes are only a guideline:
•Make sure you are aware of the trot up time and where it is being held; you can find this information in the show schedule.
•Make sure your horse is walked in hand prior to the trot up to loosen it up.
•You will need your FEI passport with you. This should have been checked at home to make sure your vaccinations are correct. If in doubt contact the International office well in advance of leaving home. Should anything go wrong with this you will not be allowed to jump and will be fined by the FEI.
•Your horse should be well groomed and you should be tidy. This includes correct footwear; riding boots or jodhpur boots.
•Your horse should have a bridle on, a lead chain that is long enough and its number if these have been issued. Please make sure you have a rug for your horse as you may have to wait.
•Your horse should be practiced at a trot up. It should walk and trot easily in hand and make sure you always turn the horse away from you. Walk for 3-4 steps away from the vet. Then trot, however pull up to walk prior to turning the horse around, pushing him away from you. When straight, trot in a lively step back to the vet.
•Once the vet is happy with the horse’s trot he will keep your passport. You will collect this at the end of the show.
•At all times when your horse leaves the stable it must have its number on so it can be identified.