FEI General Assembly 2025 successfully concludes in Hong Kong

The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body for equestrian sport, concluded its highly anticipated 2025 General Assembly in Hong Kong on 7 November. The prestigious event welcomed 267 delegates from 73 national equestrian federations and 13 stakeholder groups, who took part in this landmark occasion. Beyond discussing the future of equestrian sport, delegates made pivotal decisions that will shape the discipline’s development on a global scale.

Equestrian leaders from 73 national equestrian federations and 13 stakeholder groups took part in the FEI General Assembly.

The FEI General Assembly governs the overall direction, development and management of FEI Sport worldwide. It takes place in a different location each year, and this year marks its return to Hong Kong after 27 years with support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China.

Speaking at the FEI General Assembly, Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China, said the event provided a valuable opportunity to assess the global state of equestrian sport and chart its future course. “Hong Kong’s equestrian and racing community stands ready to offer its full support. We continue to benefit from excellent collaboration with our peers in the Chinese Mainland, and together we are dedicated to developing the sport nationally.”

Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China, said the FEI General Assembly 2025 provided a valuable opportunity to assess the global state of equestrian sport and chart its future course.

A major highlight of the Assembly was the announcement of the innovative Digital Horse Passport. Scheduled for phased implementation beginning in 2026, the system is set to revolutionise horse management by enhancing efficiency, strengthening biosecurity standards, and facilitating seamless cross-border movement. The Digital Horse Passport will consolidate key data such as horse identification, health records, vaccination history, travel documents, and microchip scans into a single, integrated platform. This new tool aims to provide horse owners, athletes, veterinarians, and competition officials with a more effective and streamlined approach to horse management.

Developed through a collaboration between the FEI and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Digital Horse Passport was praised as a transformative initiative. FEI Veterinary Director Göran Akerström described it as "a significant milestone for equestrian sport, not only improving logistical management and biosecurity but also further safeguarding the integrity and welfare of horses."

Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (centre); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China (2nd left); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Ingmar De Vos, President of FEI (3rd right); Sabrina Ibáñez, Secretary General of FEI (3rd left); Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right); and Amanda Bond, Head of Equestrian Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left) pose a photo at the FEI Awards Gala.

The Assembly culminated on the evening of 7 November with the glittering FEI Awards Gala, held in Hong Kong to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams from the global equestrian community. Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government, Lester Huang and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club attended this prestigious occasion, which shone a spotlight on exceptional contributions to equestrian sport.

One of the evening’s key highlights was the presentation of the FEI Inspire Award, which was won by the Shanghai Sports Development Foundation’s Beat as One – Stable Management Challenge. Launched three years ago in partnership with the Shanghai Equestrian Association, the initiative has redefined stable management and horse welfare education in China. Alex Hua Tian, the Mainland Equestrian Ambassador for the Jockey Club, also serves as the programme’s ambassador, championing its efforts to improve horse welfare and management practices.

The FEI Inspire Award was won by the Shanghai Sports Development Foundation’s Beat as One – Stable Management Challenge. Alex Hua Tian (1st right), the Mainland Equestrian Ambassador for the Jockey Club, also serves as the programme’s ambassador.

Other accolades included the Longines FEI Rising Star Award, presented to Ireland’s Tom Wachman for his exceptional achievements as one of the sport’s brightest young talents, and the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award, awarded to Belgium’s Justin Verboomen for his outstanding 2025 season. Meanwhile, the Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award was won by Belgium’s Sanne Melsen in recognition of her dedicated care of horses and her vital contributions behind the scenes.

The FEI General Assembly 2025 has not only reinforced Hong Kong’s role as a leading hub for equestrian sport in Asia but has also provided a unique platform for fostering international collaboration. This landmark event further highlights Hong Kong’s vital contribution to shaping the future of equestrian sport on the global stage.

Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (centre); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China (2nd right); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right); Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) (2nd left); and Edgar Yang, Honorary Secretary General of SF&OC (1st left) attended the FEI Awards Gala last Friday.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse sports and entertainment organisation with a strong commitment to the country and Hong Kong. It has long been a staunch supporter of major sports events. It funded and constructed the competition venues and provided veterinary support for the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Club also supported the equestrian events of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and provided technical support for the equestrian events of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

The Club has committed more than HK$500 million to support the Hong Kong and Guangdong competition regions at this year’s 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG). It is sole Partner Sponsor for the Hong Kong competition region and will provide technical support for the equestrian events in the Guangdong competition region as well as deploy an expert team to provide support and equipment that aligns with the highest standards.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club), as the sole Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competition Region of this year’s National Games, today (24 November) announced cash incentives to support HKSAR athletes competing in the upcoming 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities.

The flag presentation ceremony for the HKSAR delegation to the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG) was held at Tiu Keng Leng Sports Centre today. Attending guests included: HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Sun Shang-wu; HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law; China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee President Jenny Fung; President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Timothy Fok; and Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Huang.

The upcoming NGD & NSOG will cover 46 sports, including the NGD & NSOG The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Wheelchair Fencing Competition and the NGD & NSOG The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Para Table Tennis (T11) Competition, which will be held in Hong Kong. To encourage HKSAR athletes, the Club will, for the first time, provide cash incentives under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) in all medal categories of the NGD, with individual and team gold medallists receiving HK$187,500 and HK$375,000 respectively (See table below for details).

Lester Huang expressed his wholehearted support for the city’s para athletes, encouraging them to follow the inspiring example of HKSAR athletes at the 15th National Games. “The Hong Kong team has written a new and glorious chapter in our city’s sporting history with a total of 19 medals, including nine golds, two silvers and eight bronzes. The Club has long promoted sport at community and elite levels, enabling people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to participate. We therefore wish every HKSAR athlete the very best of luck at the upcoming 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.”

The three-year JCAIAS was launched in 2023. Under the scheme, the Club sponsors the Hong Kong Sports Institute to provide cash awards to Hong Kong, China athletes who excel in major sporting events. These include the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, World University Games, National Games together with their respective Winter Games and the National Games for Persons with Disabilities.

In support of the National Games, the Club has committed over HK$500 million to the Hong Kong and Guangdong Competition Regions. In the Hong Kong Competition Region, it is supporting volunteer service programmes, territory-wide community and school promotional activities, as well as initiatives to help underprivileged groups and young people attend the events as spectators. Some 100 members from the Club’s Volunteer Team are helping out as Group Volunteers in the Hong Kong Competition Region.

In the Guangdong Competition Region, the Club is providing high-quality technical support for the equestrian events in Shenzhen, leveraging its extensive experience in organising horse sports competitions. To help ensure the equestrian events are conducted to a high standard, the Club is also deploying an expert team and loaning specialist equipment. Additionally, the Club will support the Guangdong Competition Region’s official activities, volunteer services and promotion work.