The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), World Animal Health Organization (OIE), and the European Commission addressed delegates on improving the international movement of top-level sport horses at the FEI Sports Forum on April 8.

The session was opened by John McEwen, BVMS, FEI vice president and chair of the veterinary committee, who introduced a specially commissioned video focusing on the rapid growth of equestrian sport and the progress being made in improving the regulatory approach to the international movement of horses.

Graeme Cooke, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, FEI veterinary director, highlighted the significant socio-economic effects of the sport’s growth and the major changes in the approach of many government authorities that need to occur in order to sustain these effects.

“The number of FEI events around the world has risen by almost 30% during the last five years, and in 2013 we expect to see the busiest event calendar in the history of equestrian sport,” he said