At every international show, there’s far more going on behind the scenes than what spectators see in the arena. The FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) has strict rules to make sure horses are competing fairly, comfortably, and in top condition. From the moment a horse arrives on the showgrounds until the moment it leaves the ring, there’s a whole routine of checks that must be passed.
Here’s an inside look at each stage of the process.
Step One: Arrival & Biosecurity
When horses first arrive, they don’t just walk straight into their stables, an FEI veterinary team is on hand to carry out essential arrival checks:
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Identity confirmation – Each horse’s passport is checked, and its microchip is scanned to make sure the right horse has arrived to compete.
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Temperature taken – This is done for biosecurity reasons. With so many horses coming from different countries, it’s vital to catch any signs of illness before they enter the stable area.
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General health check – Vets take a quick look at the horse’s overall condition, ensuring there are no immediate welfare concerns.
Only after passing these steps is the horse allowed into the stables. This stage is all about protecting the health of every horse on the showgrounds.
Step Two: The Official Vet Check (Trot-Up)
Before the competition begins, each horse must be presented at the vet check, also known as the trot-up. This is a formal inspection in front of the FEI vets and the ground jury.
The horse is led in-hand and trotted in a straight line on a firm surface. The vets are looking for any sign of lameness, uneven movement, or discomfort. If a horse doesn’t appear sound, it may be held for re-inspection later, or in some cases, not passed fit to compete at all.
This isn’t just a formality — it’s a serious step to protect horse welfare. Even a small irregularity in movement can lead to further injury under the demands of international jumping, so this is where vets draw the line to make sure only fit, healthy horses go forward.
Step Three: Warm-Up Arena Inspections
The warm-up arena is the final checkpoint before a horse is allowed into the ring. Here, FEI stewards carefully inspect tack and equipment.
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Noseband checks – Since May 1, 2025, stewards use the official FEI measuring gauge (1.7 cm) to make sure nosebands are not over-tightened. If the gauge doesn’t fit, the noseband must be loosened before the horse can compete. These checks apply at all levels (2★–5★), but not every horse is checked. Instead, they are carried out selectively or at random.
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Boot checks – Stewards check both front and hind boots. Each boot is inspected in hand, then watched as it is put back on to ensure it is fitted correctly and not overly tight. This prevents misuse of equipment and ensures comfort and fairness.
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At CSI 4★ and 5★ Grand Prix, Nations Cup, and top prize-money classes, this procedure is mandatory for every horse.
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At CSI 2★ and 3★ shows, boot checks may be carried out, but it’s at the discretion of the Chief Steward, so not every horse will necessarily be inspected.
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Once the stewards are satisfied, the horse is officially cleared to start.
Step Four: Post-Round Checks
The controls don’t end once the course is finished. As soon as a horse leaves the ring, stewards are often waiting to re-check boots and tack. This second inspection ensures that nothing has been altered or adjusted during the round and that all equipment used complied fully with FEI rules.
Why These Checks Matter
It can be easy to overlook the amount of work going on outside the ring, but these checks are fundamental to the sport. They:
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Protect the health and welfare of the horses.
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Ensure fair play between all competitors.
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Maintain the integrity of international show jumping.
By the time a horse canters through the start flags, it has already passed several layers of inspection. It’s a system designed to make sure the sport remains not only thrilling to watch, but also fair and horse-friendly at every level.
