The governing body of equestrian sport (The FEI) has announced to all national equestrian federations the adoption of new timing equipment and set-up standards for horse jumping events.

This progress that follows the leadership of the FIS (skiing) in terms of strictly defining timing equipment standards, certification testing and event authentication through new controls by FEI officials will be coming into effect world-wide over the next two years. The FEI Jumping Committee approved the adoption of strict new timing standards this past June 2005. It is expected that timing manufacturers will have to meet the new norms by 2007. Testing and homologation should begin as soon as late 2005.

Both ALGE and TAG Heuer are intimately involved with this process and their devices surpass these new technical directives of the FEI. Clearly not all equipment currently in use from all manufacturers will do so.

It has been strongly suggested that horse jumping event organizers and timing professionals contact their national equestrian associations for details. All should be aware that choices today will have to meet these new standards as they come into effect.

Ted Savage
FIS Timing Working Group
FEI Timing Working Group
President, Precision Timing International