The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) recently terminated a cooperation agreement with NRHA and AQHA. As a governing body, the FEI oversees a number of international reining classes as well as separate competitions such as the FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Kelsey Pecsek Hruska.
The NRHA, which said its offer to meet with FEI officials in January was declined, issued a statement Tuesday highlighting its position on three provisions of the agreement – classes for horses age 7 and older, stewarding requirements and medication regulations.
The NRHA also said the termination is not expected to impact FEI National Federations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation, or their ability to host FEI-approved reining events, according to the NRHA. Officials from the AQHA, which held a single CRI event each year during the AQHA World Championship Show, said the association will have conversations with FEI in order to host any FEI-approved events.
* This story was updated with additional information from AQHA officials and a statement issued by the NRHA.