Australia's Hunter Doughty Appointed Technical Delegate for Inaugural FEI Eventing World Championship U25

The appointment places one of Australia's most experienced eventing officials at the heart of a landmark occasion for the sport worldwide. The new championship, announced by the FEI in late 2025 and set to run annually, is the first world championship dedicated exclusively to under-25 event riders. Contested at CCI4*-S level, it has been designed to bridge the long-recognised gap between Youth championships and the demands of Senior world-level competition.

For its inaugural edition, the championship has been allocated to Millstreet International Horse Trials, with the famed Green Glens Arena in County Cork playing host to the world's best young eventing talent across five days of dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

A key role on the world stage

As Technical Delegate, Doughty holds one of the most significant official positions at any FEI championship. The role carries responsibility for approving the technical and administrative arrangements for the entire competition — from the courses and arenas to the examinations and inspections of horses, stabling and athlete facilities, of the event. Under FEI rules, the Technical Delegate's authority is absolute until the competition is handed over to the Ground Jury, making the position central to the safety, fairness and smooth running of the championship.

It is a role that demands deep technical knowledge and decades of practical experience — qualities Doughty brings in abundance. Based in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Doughty is a qualified FEI Technical Delegate, an EA Eventing Course Designer and EA Jumping Course Designer, and an EA accredited coach and coach educator, with more than 35 years' experience in the administration of events and a competitive background spanning eventing, show jumping and dressage.

When asked Hunter advised “Obviously it’s a huge responsibility being the first ever under 25s. Plus I am, believe it or not, very conscious of representing my fellow ANZAC officials and EA at this level of competition, hopefully some more people will get similarly opportunity.”

“We Kicked of today with course walks and meetings, trot ups tomorrow then the fun begins. I’m really looking forward to watching our athletes and seeing how they stand up at this level. The Mike ES track is solid enough, and should allow the best combinations to shine and allow less experienced combinations to complete and benefit from the experience. 

In good company

Doughty joins a world-class panel of officials assembled for the championship. James Rooney (IRL) will preside over the Ground Jury, joined by Robyn Fisher (USA) and Angela Tucker (GBR). The cross-country course is in the hands of Millstreet's long-time designer Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR), assisted by Paul Brady (IRL), while James Tarrant (IRL) takes charge of show jumping.

The appointment is a proud moment for Australian officiating and a strong endorsement of the depth of expertise within the Australian equestrian community. It also adds to a significant Australian presence at the championship, with riders Brooke Dougall and Lamoza Velish named to fly the flag in competition at Millstreet.

The FEI Eventing World Championship U25 presented by Connolly's RED MILLS runs from 22–26 July 2026 at Green Glens Arena, Millstreet. Admission is free, and the action will be streamed live on ClipMyHorse.tv, with scores available via the FEI website and the Cross Country App.