Equestrian Federation of India suspended by FEI due to ongoing governance crisis

The International Equestrian Federation has suspended the Equestrian Federation of India due to governance issues.

The suspension announced on December 1 bars Indian riders, officials, trainers, and horses from participating in international competitions. The decision was made during an online meeting on October 13, citing a prolonged governance crisis stemming from administrative turmoil within the Federation of India. This followed the dissolution of EFI's Executive Committee by the Delhi High Court in February and the absence of fresh elections, which would have resolved the leadership vacuum.

The international governing body expects the EFI to organize new elections by January 31, 2027. However, the suspension will remain in effect until these elections are completed and properly evaluated. The crisis originated when the previous executive committee continued functioning past its tenure expiry in September 2023, triggering legal disputes over the Federation's management and election process.

In addition to governance complications, the Federation recently faced criticism from Indian rider Anush Agarwalla, who publicly questioned the fairness of the selection process after being excluded from the 2026 Asian Games roster. Agarwalla described his exclusion as more of a betrayal than defeat, highlighting concerns regarding transparency and fairness in team selection.