In the inspiring atmosphere of the city of Budapest, representatives of 8 national societies discussed with the FEIF education committee on several items in different areas. Animated discussions and an enthusiastic atmosphere were the positive ingredients of this meeting.
The participants were informed that Mark Timmerman was re-elected by the FEIF Delegates Assembly 2026 as Director of Education for the coming two years. Herdis Reynisdóttir and Anne Sofie Nielsen were re-elected as committee members for a period of two years.
Traditionally all representatives provided updates on developments in the field of education in their countries in the widest sense.
The Swedish representative gave a detailed insight the range of activities, that were undertaken on all levels of the Swedish Icelandic Horse Society (SIF) especially with regard horse welfare and raising awareness of riders on that topic. A clear draft was given on how the system of professional horse education is structured in Iceland nowadays. In an open discussion all country representatives shared their challenges and worries to keep the programs for education of instructors for Icelandic horses running.
The procedure of the revision of the trainer matrix was presented together with the timeline to be able to present the new version of the matrix at the Conference 2027.
The need for an online platform, where all education material from the different countries will be available to all members of FEIF, was stressed.
The contours of a new project involving the Education Committee and the Sport committee on the position of riding transitions in our sport (the ‘Transition Project’) were sketched.
There was a discussion on topic for future education seminars and on the way to proceed with the rewarding of the Trainer of the Year (TOY).
As an important topic, the new procedure to keep the registration of the CPD of instructors and trainers on the FEIF website up to date was explained by Barla Isenbügel.
This meeting was true inspiration for the Education Committee to keep up with the work for the coming year.