GEF’s Grand Forum: The Circus of Transparency Strikes Again!

(Chișinău - Moldova) March 31st and April 1st, 2025, will mark the return of the much-anticipated “Global Equestrian Federation Transparency Shindig”, an event guaranteed to finally unveil the long-awaited rule changes, debate the future of equestrian sport, and, of course, ensure that the entire equestrian world will ignore it—again.

This year, the GEF is particularly eager to showcase its dedication to openness, transparency, and inclusion. With the entire world of equestrian sports invited (in theory) to watch via live stream, the forum promises a fascinating blend of new research, rule changes, and a couple of empty seats from those who just couldn’t be bothered to attend.

"It’s all about open dialogue," says Alejandro "Alex" Ferreira, the smooth-talking president of the GEF. "We want to ensure that everyone has a chance to have their say… even if no one actually listens to it. This year’s forum will truly showcase our commitment to transparency—except, of course, for the parts we haven’t yet figured out how to explain."

The agenda is packed. Show-jumping is front and centre, with a full rule review proposal expected. Equestrian Jumping Standards Overhaul Strategy Action Plan (EJSOAP) will tackle the long-overdue regulations that no one asked for but everyone will pretend to care about. No doubt Maximilian “Max” Van Dijk, the Dutch aristocrat showjumper, will have something to say about these "innovations," though he’s probably more concerned with making sure his horse's coat is immaculately pressed before the meeting.

Next on the chopping block: Equine Welfare. The “We Can’t Do Much More” Plan (otherwise known as the Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan) is set to be unveiled, alongside the one and only Dr. Leila Al-Farsi, the relentless horse welfare advocate from the World Equestrian Welfare Organisation (WEWO). Expect her to demand more stringent standards, tougher regulations, and a whole lot of tears from the horse owners who are already dreading the potential chaos ahead.

"We must protect horses at all costs," Dr. Al-Farsi comments. "And by ‘all costs,’ I mean it will cost you significantly more than it does now, but it’s all for the horses. They deserve nothing less than a glittering, stress-free life… under a 23-hour-per-day management program, of course."

Meanwhile, riders are quietly grumbling in the corners. Eventers, in particular, are holding their breath as the GEF Eventing Rules undergo a complete rewrite. Felicity Lloyd-Knight, the blue-blooded eventer, has voiced her concerns, saying, "I’m worried the new changes will involve even more hoops and regulation. We’re already balancing dressage, a shortened cross-country phase, and show-jumping—now they want us to juggle flaming torches while blindfolded? At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if they add a dance routine to the mix!"

The Driving and Para Driving community is no better. Bruce "Bruiser" Callaghan, the uncompromising Australian coach, has voiced his concern. "If the new rules involve more steps, more tack changes, and more paperwork, I’m out. I’m literally thinking of training the horses to do it for me—at least they can’t complain about the system."

At the end of the forum, after all the feedback, commentary, and requests for “tweaks” to be made, the proposed rule changes will be sent to the National Federations (NFs) and WEWO for further “consultation” from June to the end of August. By the time the rules are finalised, it'll be the following January when the entire world realizes they missed the memo—again.

"It’s the same cycle every year," says a tired FEI official. "The GEF puts all the information on their website after the forum each springtime, but apparently, none of the riders, trainers and coaches were ever ‘told’ properly to go and read it, so each January there is a lot of hysterical panic on all the social media feeds and secret WhatsApp groups as the new season starts."

Despite all the pomp and circumstance, the GEF remains proud of its approach. After all, what's the point of transparency if no one is there to witness it?

The “Global Equestrian Federation Transparency Shindig” – It’s where we try to make progress, while the rest of the horse world continues to act as though none of this ever happened.