The annual deadline to submit rule change suggestions for the 2026 Equestrian Canada (EC) Rules is coming up soon!
EC invites you to submit rule change suggestions for the 2026 EC Rules by the deadline of May 31, 2025. For your convenience, rule change suggestions can be submitted quickly and easily through the Online Rule Change Suggestion Portal.
About the EC Rules Process
It is the right of every EC Sport Licence Holder to suggest amendments to the rules, subject to the current policies, procedures and schedules. The annual deadlines for the rule change process are as follows:
Questions? Comments?
For more information on the rule change process, visit our RULEBOOKS page or email EC Rules Inquiries at rules@equestrian.ca.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: AMENDMENT TO EC RULES
Please be advised that the following sections of the Equestrian Canada (EC) Rules have been amended through the Extraordinary Rule Amendment (ERA) process:
Section A, General Regulations, Changes Visible
Section G, Hunter, Jumper, Equitation and Hack, Changes Visible
Based on information from the FEI and to better initiate national roll out, the following rules have been clarified:
SECTION A: GENERAL REGULATIONS
Under Article A517.3.a
3. Cruelty can be defined as causing pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse. As examples, an act of cruelty can be but is not limited to any of the following:
a) nosebands used in such a way that they interfere with the horse’s breathing, or be tight enough to cause pain or discomfort.;
Effective January 1, 2026 Art. 1044.8 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations applies in relation to the permitted tightness of the noseband at all national competitions.
SECTION G: HUNTER, JUMPER, EQUITATION AND HACK
Under Annex 1, Section 4.8
Noseband checks, as per FEI Jumping guidelines, may be performed under the supervision of stewards at EC sanctioned competitions at any time.
Effective January 1, 2026 Art. 1044.8 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations applies in relation to the permitted tightness of the noseband at all national competitions.
For more information on the EC Rules, visit HERE.