History of IGEQ

The International Group, an independent and voluntary organization of national equestrian federations, was established in 1992. Initially formed by the Italian Equestrian Federation alongside 15 like-minded countries, the group’s purpose was to compare and harmonize equestrian instructor qualifications worldwide. Formerly known as the International Group for Qualifications in Training Horse & Rider, the organization established a standardized process to evaluate equestrian instructor qualifications across international boundaries, organized into three recognized international levels.

In 1995, the Equestrian Passport was introduced for instructors holding recognized qualifications in riding, driving, and vaulting. Efforts to harmonize qualifications for instructors of disabled competitors have been ongoing as well.

1992

Founding of IGEQ

1994-2001

International Examinations & Clinics

1995

Introduction of the Equestrian Passport

2001

Collaboration with FEI

Present

Ongoing Initiatives

One of the significant aspects of this agreement is that it allows instructors holding qualifications at International Level 1 or 2 to take the next level examination in any member country, subject to national legal requirements. However, it is important to clarify that instructors will not automatically receive a certificate from another federation for their current level, as they already possess recognized certification from their own country. Instead, passing an exam at the next level in another member country grants a certificate from that respective federation.

A key part of the Group’s work includes organizing trainers’ clinics and international examinations. Generous hosting by Germany, Italy, Hungary, and the UK has enabled clinics, while international exams have taken place at various levels and locations: Level 3 in the UK (1994), Level 2 in France (1995), Level 1 & 2 in Italy (1998), Vaulting in Austria (1999), and Level 3 in Norway (2001). These examinations have proven invaluable for instructors from countries without established certification systems, providing an opportunity to gain recognized qualifications and become eligible for an Equestrian Passport.

In 2001, the Group collaborated with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) to introduce an FEI Accredited Trainers List. Trainers on this list must be Level 3 Passport holders and be recommended by their federation, with the first appointments made in December 2001.

The Group is continuously exploring new initiatives, including the harmonization of Rider Licences/Competence Tests and qualifications for Competition Coaches. Applications from interested federations, regardless of whether they currently offer instructor qualifications, are warmly welcomed.

Since 1992, the Group’s work has made significant contributions to international cooperation within the equestrian world, paving the way for further exciting cross-border developments in training and education.

Past Events

    • 1992 May - Milan, Italy – First Conference

    • 1992 September - BEC, Stoneleigh, UK

    • 1993 June - Vienna, Austria

    • 1995 June - Murten, Switzerland

    • 1996 December - Warendorf, Germany

    • 1997 April - Flyinge, Sweden

    • 1998 June - Lisbon, Portugal

    • 1999 November - Deurne, Netherlands

    • 2000 December - Warendorf, Germany

    • 2001 October - Madrid, Spain

    • 2002 November - Bern, Switzerland

    • 2003 December - Starum, Norway

    • 2004 November - Kylami, South Africa

    • 2005 October - Zaborek, Poland

    • 2006 November - Ypaja, Finland

    • 2007 November - Deurne, Netherlands

    • 2008 November - Rome & Pratoni, Italy 

    • 2009 October - Saumur, France

    • 2010 October - Warendorf, Germany

    • 2011 October - Budapest, Hungary

    • 2012 October - Stromsholm, Sweden

    • 2013 October - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    • 2014 November - Lamotte Beauvron, France

    • 2015 October - Stoneleigh, UK

    • 2016 November - Ermelo, Netherlands

    • 2017 November - Brussels, Belgium

    • 2018 November - Budapest, Hungary

    • 2019 December - Warendorf, Germany

    • 1995 May - Rome, Italy

    • 1996 April - Stoneleigh, UK

    • 1996 December - Warendorf, Germany

    • 1997 December - Heathrow, UK

    • 1998 June - Lisbon, Portugal

    • 1999 February - Dusseldorf, Germany

    • 1999 August - Amsterdam, Netherlands

    • 1999 November - Deurne, Netherlands

    • 2000 December - Warendorf, Germany

    • 2001 June - Paris, France

    • 2001 November - Brussels, Belgium

    • 2002 March - Brussels, Belgium

    • 2003 June - Warsaw, Poland

    • 2003 December - Starum, Norway

    • 2004 June - Paris, France

    • 2004 November - South Africa

    • 2005 June - Tallinn, Estonia

    • 2005 October - Zaborek, Poland

    • 2006 May - Prague, Czech Republic

    • 2006 November - Ypaja, Finland

    • 2007 June - Rome, Italy

    • 2007 November - Deurne, Netherlands

    • 2008 June - Lamotte Beauvron, France

    • 2008 October - Rome, Italy

    • 2009 June - Brussels, Belgium

    • 2009 October - Saumur, France

    • 2010 February - Dusseldorf, Germany

    • 2010 October - Warendorf, Germany

    • 2011 June - Budapest, Hungary

    • 2011 October - Budapest, Hungary

    • 2012 June - Zagreb, Croatia

    • 2012 October - Stromsholm, Sweden

    • 2013 July - Prague, Czech Republic

    • 2013 October - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    • 2014 June - Lisbon, Portugal

    • 2014 November - Lamotte Beauvron, France

    • 2015 April - Warendorf, Germany

    • 2015 October - Stoneleigh, UK

    • 2016 February - Ermelo, Netherlands

    • 2016 November - Ermelo, Netherlands

    • 2017 February - Brussels, Belgium

    • 2017 November - Brussels, Belgium

    • 2018 April - Budapest, Hungary

    • 2018 November - Budapest, Hungary

    • 2019 April - Lipica, Slovenia

    • 2019 December - Warendorf, Germany

    • 1993 October - Nancy, France – L2 exams with International Candidates

    • 1994 September - Stoneleigh, UK – L3 exam – 8 international candidates

    • 1995 June - Rome, Italy – Show Jumping Clinic with Raymondo D’Inzeo

    • 1997 July - Event Trainers Clinic – Hartpury College, UK

    • 1998 April - Pratoni, Italy – L1 & L2 exams – 12 international candidates

    • 1999 - Austria – Vaulting Clinic

    • 1999 April - Kapsvar, Hungary - Driving Seminar

    • 1999 November - Austria – Vaulting Exam with international candidates

    • 2001 December - Starum, Norway – L3 exam – 5 international candidates

    • 2001 December - Warwickshire College, UK – Coaches for Disabled Clinic

    • 2002 May - Rome, Italy – Teaching Children Clinic

    • 2009 April - Examiner Training Seminar, Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell, UK

    • 2011 October - Examiner Training Seminar, Kaposvar, Hungary

    • 2013 March - Examiner Training Seminar, Deurne, Netherlands

    • 2015 October - Examiner Training Seminar, Onley Grounds EC, UK

    • 2017 November - Examiner Training Seminar, Brussels, Belgium

    • 2019.December - Examiner Training Seminar, Warendorf, Germany