FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules Under Scrutiny After Hubside Cancellation
Last week, the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) cancelled all Hubside Jumping Events from the 2022 calendar. The decision reportedly followed the alleged non-payment of prize money by the Organizing Committee at previous CSI events in St Tropez and Valence.
The situation has once again brought the FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules into sharp focus.
No matter how the matter ultimately evolves, compliance with the FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules is one of the most essential obligations of any Organizing Committee in international equestrian sport.
The Legal Basis: Removal from the FEI Calendar
Under Article 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations, the FEI Secretary General may remove an event from the FEI Calendar in justified circumstances.
Failure to comply with the FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules may constitute such a justified circumstance.
Removal from the calendar is a severe regulatory measure. It affects not only the commercial viability of the event but also its credibility within the international equestrian community.
Article 128: The Core of the Rules
The FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules are laid down in Article 128 of the FEI General Regulations:
Article 128 – Distribution of Prizes
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The total amount of prize money shown for each Competition in the schedule must be distributed.
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Prize money must be distributed to the Chefs d’Equipe or to the winning Owners, lessees or Athletes within ten (10) days after the last Competition of the Event, provided they have met all financial and other obligations to the Organizing Committee.
The wording is mandatory. The total amount must be distributed. The timeline is fixed. There is no discretionary margin.
Unresolved Legal Questions Under the Distribution Rules
Despite the clarity of Article 128, several legal questions remain unanswered:
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Can prize money be validly assigned to third parties?
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Does payment “in natura” comply with the FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules?
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Which national law governs the validity of prize money distribution?
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What happens in cases of insolvency of the Organizing Committee?
These questions were raised before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case CAS 2020/A/7232 Mathilda Karlsson & Sri Lanka Equestrian Association v. FEI. However, CAS considered those issues not decisive for its ruling and therefore did not clarify them.
This leaves legal uncertainty for both organizers and athletes.
Why Compliance Is Critical
Non-compliance may result in:
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Removal from the FEI Calendar
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Disciplinary measures
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Reputational damage
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Arbitration proceedings
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Financial liability
In international equestrian sport, prize money is not merely contractual — it is regulatory. The FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules are enforceable sports regulations with potentially severe consequences.
Legal Advice for Equestrians and Organizing Committees
If you are an equestrian awaiting unpaid prize money or an Organizing Committee facing questions regarding compliance with the FEI Prize Money Distribution Rules, early legal advice is essential.
Schelstraete Equine Law advises athletes, national federations and event organizers in proceedings before the FEI and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
