The FEI Recognition Card (RC) is a cover that wraps around your equine’s national passport. An FEI RC is mandatory for equines competing at most international FEI-sanctioned events. Further information can be found on the FEI website.
An RC must be renewed every four years if you intend to compete in FEI competitions. There may be some lower level FEI competitions where an RC isn’t required, but you will need to check with the organiser of the event. You don’t need to renew an RC once it has expired if you’re no longer planning to compete at FEI competitions.
FEI RCs are not compulsory for horses competing in their country of residence for CIM events. You can compete using just your national passport. From 1 January 2017, all equines must be identifiable with a national passport approved by the FEI. If an equine is competing at a CIM in the country in which the equine resides, the equine must be registered with the FEI and be identifiable.
A CIM is a Minor International Event. A list of CIMs by Discipline can be found below. For example you would not require a FEI RC if you were competing in a horse's country of residence for a Jumping CSI1* but if you were travelling abroad you would need one.
Your equine must be registered on the FEI database and a copy of their national passport uploaded to the FEI database. Please contact the discipline you compete with – they’ll be able to do this as part of the passport application process or if you’re competing at lower level CIMs.
Unfortunately, a FEI RC can’t be issued if there are any irregularities with the diagram page or vaccinations. Contact British Equestrian on 02476 698871 if you require further clarification.
Please contact your discipline to apply for a FEI RC.
British Eventing: 02476 698856
British Showjumping: 02476 698800
British Dressage/ Para Dressage: 02476 698830
Endurance GB: 02476 697929
British Carriage Driving: 07494 876 814
British Vaulting
British Reining email: britishreining@aol.com
Please contact your discipline to arrange for the passport to be revalidated. You’ll need to send them your RC and national passport.
Please contact your discipline to arrange for the passport to be revalidated. You’ll need to send them your RC and national equine passport. You must not send BEF your RC without checking first on 02476 698871.
Contact your Discipline to request a duplicate RC. If the national equine passport has been lost, too, you must obtain a duplicate one first.
Where vaccination details are to be recorded into a duplicate FEI RC, the following statement can be used: "The vaccination history of this equine is correct to date. Last vaccination on 00/00/00 (date).” The statement must be signed, stamped and dated by a licensed vet.
Provided the FEI passport was issued prior to 10 June 2004, the passport is considered compliant and doesn’t need to be revalidated without any gaps to remain valid. If it was issued after this date, you’ll need to obtain a compliant national passport from another Defra-approved Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) in the UK or EU, and have the full FEI passport converted into an RC. There’s no cost for conversion, with the exception of posting it back to you via Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day before 1pm service. If you’re unsure and require further information, please contact British Equestrian on 02476 698871.
British Carriage Driving International
British Dressage International
Endurance GB International
British Eventing International
British Reining
British Showjumping International
British Equestrian Vaulting
FEI