The matrix below details the timelines for the process of EA Sport Rule updates due for implementation in January each year.
|
DATE |
RESPONSIBILITY |
ACTION |
|
First Monday in June |
EA Sports Development Officers (SDO) to State Discipline Committees (SDC), State CEOs, EA National Discipline Committees (NDC), EA Steward Generals, EA staff |
REMINDER: Rule change requests and issues raised |
|
First Monday in July |
SDCs, State CEOs, EA Steward Generals, EA staff (e.g. Health, Safety, Welfare, Officials, Integrity, etc) |
SUBMIT: Agenda items to EA NDCs for consideration (one template per item, template is below) |
|
During July |
EA National Discipline Committees (NDC) and SDCs |
MEET: NDC to review all agenda items and rules, consult with SDCs as required, SDOs, Steward Generals, EA staff (EA Health, Safety, Welfare team, Officials, etc). NDCs to also consult with relevant parties e.g. Sub Committees, etc. |
|
Within 7 days of NDC meeting |
EA SDOs |
REVIEW: Minutes/rule proposals sent out to NDC for review before changes are sent to the Board |
|
During August (from mid August) |
EA NDC & EA SDOs to consider whole of sport implementation |
REVIEW: NDCs to finalise rule changes and provide feedback on adoption/rejection of rule changes & MEET: National Sport Committee (NDC Chairs) meeting for any contradictions/issues |
|
EA Board (mid September) |
EA Board |
RATIFY: Rule changes submitted to the Board for ratification |
|
After EA Board approval (late September) |
EA SDOs |
SEND: Approved rule change summary documents to be sent to NDC/SDCs/Steward Generals/State CEOs for their information |
|
First Monday in October |
EA SDOs |
PUBLISH: Summary of Rule changes documents published on the EA website for 3 months notice before implementation |
|
Mid November |
|
FEI rule changes published: NDCs/SDCs to consider implementation |
|
1st January |
EA SDOs |
EFFECTIVE: Rules come into effect |
Mid December EA National Rule Books (including FEI Rule changes) will be published on the EA website
Equestrian Australia Generic - National Rule Change Proposal Template 2026.pdf
Equestrian Australia Generic - National Rule Change Proposal Template 2026.docx
POLICY – PERIODICAL RULES REVISION
FEI Periodical Rules Revision Policy came into force on 1 January 2020. Rulebooks are now reviewed every 4 years (apart from the following modifications)
- Urgent repairs, i.e., changes in the Rules that cannot await because of their impact on the welfare of the Horses or the safety of the Athletes;
- Correction of inconsistencies, manifest errors, contradictions, etc.
- New/recently introduced rule(s) that has(ve) proven to be problematic in its implementation;
- Implementation of new technology development(s) relevant to the specific set of Rules;
- IOC, IPC, WADA, ASOIF and similar organisations’ policies’ implementation; and
- Other scenarios not foreseen by this Policy as considered and approved by the Board.
The FEI will request changes be presented in May the year prior to be presented at the FEI Sports Forum:
* Although the Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes were originally scheduled to undergo a full review in 2024, this revision will be postponed to 2026 (for implementation as of 1 January 2027) in order to align with the next full revision of the WADA Code.
