Equestrian Plans for 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games Discussed at FEI Sports Forum

The topic of equestrian events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games was a significant focus on the first day of the 2025 FEI Sports Forum held in Lausanne on March 31 and April 1. Although the specific events and quotas for LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games have yet to be finalized, preparations are in progress for the expected equestrian disciplines. The Galway Downs Equestrian venue in Temecula, California, is anticipated to be confirmed as the location once the Venue Master plan is completed. Initial agreements state that the qualification quotas from the Paris 2024 Games will be applied to the proposed LA28 Qualification Systems.

FEI Deputy Legal Director Áine Power outlined the proposed qualification framework, addressing areas such as quotas, qualification events, and timelines. She noted that discussions on Olympic Regulations related to competition formats and horse ownership will take place during the 2026 rule revision process. Additionally, the qualification period for both team and individual events will commence at next year’s FEI World Championships in Aachen, running until December 31, 2027. Horse and athlete combinations will have from January 1, 2027, to June 11, 2028, to meet their Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), while the period for the Paralympic Games is set from January 1, 2026, to July 11, 2028. A new proposal suggests that should a National Olympic Committee (NOC) fail to submit the Certificate of Capability or if their Team Quota Allocation is not confirmed, they would not automatically receive an Individual Quota Place. Instead, they must secure this through Olympic Rankings or Qualification Events.

Discipline directors for Eventing, Jumping, and Dressage each presented proposed amendments to their areas of expertise. The FEI Sports Forum serves as the first step in the consultation regarding the Qualification Systems, with drafts expected to be shared with National Federations later this year ahead of a vote at the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong in November. Subsequent discussions on the Olympic and Paralympic Regulations will take place at the 2026 Sports Forum, with a vote scheduled for the following year before submission for final approval.