Honoring a Timeless Partner

Few animals have contributed to human progress as profoundly — and quietly — as the horse. From ancient nomads on the Eurasian steppes to modern Olympic arenas and backyard barns, horses have carried goods, ploughed fields, won wars and comforted hearts. Even in today’s high-tech world, draft horses still work organic farms, mounted rangers protect wildlife, and therapy ponies bring joy to hospitals.

In recognition of this lasting partnership, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 79/291 on 3 June 2025, declaring 11 July “World Horse Day.” The resolution calls on governments, schools, businesses and individuals to celebrate the role of horses — and to tackle the challenges they face in the modern world.

The numbers speak for themselves: the FAO’s 2023 data counts around 60.8 million horses globally, athough they are unevenly distributed. The United States has 2.41 million horses and ponies on over 63,000 farms (2022 USDA Census), while the European Union supports a herd of about 7 million equines and 800,000 jobs in breeding, sport and tourism. In Mongolia, horses are still part of daily life — with 3.4 million horses for 3.3 million people.

Beyond sports and industry, horses, donkeys and mules are vital to rural life: a joint study by the World Organization for Animal Health and FAO estimates that 112 million working equids support the livelihoods of around 600 million people in low- and middle-income countries. These animals carry water, transport crops, and support families every day.

But the conditions horses face are getting tougher. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was the first full year with global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. This increases heat stress for working and sport horses alike. From cooling lanes at Olympic events to new global welfare standards, adapting to a changing climate is now essential.

World Horse Day is more than a celebration — it’s a call to protect one of humanity’s oldest partnerships, which still helps feed us, support our economies, and lift our spirits (extract from the United Nations website).

Following a high-level meeting between H.E. Ambassador 𝐀𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐓𝐰𝐮𝐦-𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐚𝐡, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, and H.E. 𝐆𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥, Egyptian Minister for Youth and Sport, the dates for the 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 have been confirmed and will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 𝟐𝟕 August to 𝟏𝟎 September 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕.

The African Confederation of Equestrian Sports  has announced on its official Facebook page that the 14th edition of the African Games in 2027, which was due to take place in Cairo (Egypt) from 20 January to 7 February 2027, has been postponed to the second half of 2027.

For more information, Click HERE

New General Rules and Regulations for the All African Jumping Challenge 2026: This is an exciting new initiative launched by the ACES Show Jumping Technical Committee, which will establish a continent-wide African ranking. To download the general regulations and conditions of entry, click HERE.

As per the FEI Veterinary Regulations, equine influenza vaccination details for FEI Horses present at FEI Events must be registered in the FEI HorseApp in addition to the horse’s passport.

1- What changes in 2026?

As of January 2026, the digital registration of vaccination details will be enforced.

 If a FEI Horse is presented at an FEI Event in 2026 without valid equine influenza vaccination details correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp (i.e. all new vaccination details must be registered in the FEI HorseApp by a veterinarian on the day of vaccination and in presence of the horse), the Person Responsible will be sanctioned in accordance with Art. 1002 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

2- Between January and 30 June 2026:

It is an educational transition with no sanctions

• The system will check whether the vaccination details are correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp.
• If not, the Athlete will receive an email notification explaining that the requirements were not fulfilled to highlight non-compliance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations.
• No fines will be issued during this period.

3- As of 1 July 2026:

• From 1 July 2026, if a horse is presented at an FEI Event without its equine influenza vaccination details correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp, the Person Responsible (the Athlete) will be notified of their sanction and receive a fine in accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

Fines will be issued to the National Federation of the Person Responsible.

The African Games are returning to Cairo in 2027, and the organisers have confirmed that Egypt will host the 14th edition of the Games, scheduled to take place from 20 January to 7 February 2027.
Dressage and show jumping have been included in the programme following approval by both the FEI and the Egyptian Equestrian Federation.
Although these disciplines have been included in the Games, many details remain to be finalised, including approval from the CNOT and the MJS, the level at which the events will be contested, the use of borrowed horses, and so on.

FEI Jumping Rules Art. 259 - Veterinary Examination Protocol