Big changes are coming to FEI education — and they’ll affect how eventing and driving officials stay qualified. The latest updates to the Education Systems for Eventing and Driving/Para Driving have officially gone live on the relevant discipline pages of inside.fei.org. But here’s the part that’s especially interesting: updates for Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, Vaulting, Endurance, and Veterinary systems have also just been released, all taking effect on 1 December 2025.
These updates stem from recommendations made by the FEI Officials Working Group, which the FEI Board approved on 18 June 2025. The goal? To make the system fairer, more consistent, and better aligned with real-world experience — while keeping education standards high. Let’s break down the key changes.
CES Maintenance Requirements Get a Clearer Structure
Each Continuing Education System (CES) maintenance requirement will now be reviewed separately. This distinction matters because:
- If an official does not pass or attempt the CES Online Assessment, they’ll be marked as inactive for up to one year until the assessment is successfully completed.
- The same rule applies to the CES Maintenance Course — failure to complete or attempt it results in inactive status for one year, after which the official must pass to regain full standing.
This change encourages accountability and ongoing engagement with the FEI’s educational standards, rather than letting deadlines quietly slip by.
CES Officiating Review Gets a Practical Overhaul
The FEI has also updated the criteria for evaluating active officiating experience:
- Level 1: No review required — this level remains entry-based.
- Level 2: Officials must have at least one officiating assignment within the past three years. Without it, their function will be moved down a level.
- Levels 3 and 4: Criteria are currently under review by the Disciplines/Veterinary & Equine Welfare Department. The aim is to reduce administrative pressure while ensuring officials stay sharp, relevant, and active in their roles.
Starting in 2028, FEI recommends having two assignments within the review period to maintain recognition. This shift pushes for stronger real-world engagement but could raise debate about whether smaller nations — with fewer events — can meet the new expectations.
Effective Date and Next Steps
These updates officially apply from 15 December 2026, giving national federations and officials over a year to adjust. The FEI encourages all member countries to share this information widely among their officials to ensure a smooth transition.
If you have questions, you’re advised to contact your respective Discipline, Veterinary, or Equine Welfare Department for further details.
Some may see these updates as overdue modernization — others might call them added bureaucracy. The real question is: do these changes make FEI’s education system more effective, or do they risk overcomplicating it for officials worldwide? What’s your take — improvement or overreach?
