Delegates from 23 countries reached a broad consensus on the strategic plan for endurance at a one-day Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Feb. 9.

More than 70 delegates attended the conference, with a total of 20 national federations represented. Other bodies attending the conference were the European Equestrian Federation, World Horse Welfare, American Endurance Ride Conference, and the Equine Community Integrity Unit (ECIU), as well as members of the media. FEI President HRH Princess Haya attended as an observer, along with members of the FEI Executive Board.

The morning session focused on feedback from the national federations on the proposals outlined at the 2013 General Assembly in November 2013 by the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG).

Of the 47 national federations involved in the sport, of which 33 run elite endurance events, 20 federations returned responses via the electronic survey and a further six sent additional comments. A team of veterinary surgeons also held its own scientifically based review and shared its views with the ESPG