World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses

29/05/2026

*** MORE CHANGES ***

Following the recent announcement regarding the introduction of Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) for the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) would like to inform riders, owners and breeders of additional changes to the Championship format, as communicated by the Fédération Équestre Internationale to its National Federations.

In addition, adjustments have been made to the jumping heights for 5- and 6-year-old horses, affecting both the qualifying rounds and finals of the Championships

*** 5-year-old horses ***
Qualifiers: 1.20m (previously 1.25m)
Final: 1.25m (previously 1.30m)

*** 6-year-old horses ***
Qualifiers: 1.30m (previously 1.35m)
Final: 1.35m (previously 1.40m)

*** 7-year-old horses ***
No changes to the current format or heights.

For more information, visit WBFSH News on our website.
https://www.wbfsh.com/news/fei-wbfsh-announce-additional-changes-jumping-world-breeding-championship

18/05/2026

We would like to thank all the people that attended this interesting webinar on Birth Trauma in Foals and potential impacts on behaviour and performance & to extend our sincere gratitude to Beth Shaw and Robyn Butterworth for sharing their knowledge, research and practical insights with the our members.

We hope this webinar will encourage further observation, discussion and collaboration around foal wellbeing and long-term equine welfare!

🔗 Read more & access the webinar replay:
http://eepurl.com/u__A6DJihP

11/05/2026

New Guidelines for the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses

The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH), in cooperation with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), would like to inform riders, owners, studbooks and breeders of important updates to the framework for the Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.

*** Introduction of Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) ***
*** Adjustment to Competition Format – 5-Year-Old Horses ***

Read more in News on the WBFSH Website:

https://www.wbfsh.com/news/new-guidelines-for-the-jumping-world-breeding-championships-for-young-horses

08/05/2026

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐁𝐅𝐒𝐇 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐟𝐟

It is that time of the year again, when we start publishing monthly the Breeder & Studbook Rankings on our website! ✨

Have a look at who's currently in the lead:
https://mailchi.mp/wbfsh/rankings_2026_kick_off

© Hippo Foto Media - Dirk Caremans

07/05/2026

𝗪𝗕𝗙𝗦𝗛 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 - 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀!

What really happens to a foal during birth — and how can it affect performance years later? Join us later today, 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟴𝗵𝟯𝟬 (𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗧) to discover it!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88314599052?pwd=5r316yqeYLU2ZqZDOqaFbbLzTLmpe9.1

Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 883 1459 9052
Passcode: 461034

06/05/2026

What really happens to a foal during birth — and how can it affect performance years later?

*** Join us TOMORROW on May 7th at 18h30 CEST, to discover and learn more about Birth Trauma ***

This WBFSH webinar will explore how the forces exerted during foaling can lead to lasting physical and neurological effects in horses.
While most foals appear to recover quickly from birth trauma, research and clinical observations suggest that subtle dysfunctions — particularly in the spine and nervous system — may persist and influence behavior, comfort, and rideability throughout the horse’s life.

Presented by Beth Shaw, a registered Veterinary Physiotherapist specializing in Equine Massage and Equine Transeva Technique (ETT), also actively involved in research on equine biomechanics and force transmission within the body. She runs practices in both South Africa and Hong Kong, working with a wide range of sport and racehorses. She collaborates internationally with top-level equine athletes, including those of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

JOIN US VIA ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88314599052?pwd=5r316yqeYLU2ZqZDOqaFbbLzTLmpe9.1

27/04/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐈

As part of their ongoing commitment to supporting evidence-informed approaches in sport horse breeding that prioritise a good life for the horses involved, the WBFSH are funding a PhD with Hartpury University. This PhD focuses on a key aspect of sport horse breeding: Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). This programme of study will apply a holistic approach working with WBFSH and industry stakeholders to focus on understanding existing practice across the equine breeding sector to generate a profile of current practice, to understand cultural differences and influences underpinning ART use globally and to evaluate their implications to horse welfare. The results will inform good practice guidance and support future WBFSH education initiatives in this area.

👉Read the full Press Release:
https://wbfsh.com/news/the-welfare-project-enters-phase-ii

22/04/2026

What really happens to a foal during birth — and how can it affect performance years later?

*** Join us on May 7th at 18h30 CEST, to discover and learn more about Birth Trauma ***

This WBFSH webinar will explore how the forces exerted during foaling can lead to lasting physical and neurological effects in horses.
While most foals appear to recover quickly from birth trauma, research and clinical observations suggest that subtle dysfunctions — particularly in the spine and nervous system — may persist and influence behavior, comfort, and rideability throughout the horse’s life.

Presented by Beth Shaw, a registered Veterinary Physiotherapist specializing in Equine Massage and Equine Transeva Technique (ETT), also actively involved in research on equine biomechanics and force transmission within the body. She runs practices in both South Africa and Hong Kong, working with a wide range of sport and racehorses. She collaborates internationally with top-level equine athletes, including those of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

JOIN US VIA ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88314599052?pwd=5r316yqeYLU2ZqZDOqaFbbLzTLmpe9.1

18/02/2026

Who wants to support this international research project on body condition in young warmblood horses, by completing the survey? Understanding how management, nutrition and genetics influence young horses helps improve welfare and long-term sport performance.
If you own a warmblood born in 2020–2022, please consider taking 15 minutes to complete the survey and contribute valuable data to the future of sport horse breeding.

Are you the registered owner of one or more young warmblood horses born in 2020, 2021 or 2022, and would you be willing to fill out a short survey?

Horse body condition, whether lean, moderate, or overweight, can affect a horse’s overall health and care requirements. Obesity, in particular, is a growing problem in modern horses with significant health and care implications. We invite you to complete a survey to understand factors such as activity, nutrition, and genetics influencing body condition in young horses, with the option to share images of your horse.

You must be at least 18 years old, and be the registered owner of the horse to participate in this survey. The survey is open to horse owners in any country.

Your participation should take about 15 minutes and is completely voluntary.

If you are interested in participating, please click on the link below:
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/edinburgh/assessment-of-factors-affecting-body-condition-score-in-young-3

Thank you for your time!

26/01/2026

Incredible Longines WBFSH Breeders Awards 2025 ✨

Amsterdam set the stage for an unforgettable evening on Saturday 24th January, as the 2025 Longines WBFSH Breeders Awards once again honoured excellence in sport horse breeding. This prestigious event celebrated the extraordinary dedication, expertise, and passion of the breeders behind the world’s finest horses.
Read the press release
https://wbfsh.com/news/longines-wbfsh-breeder-awards-2025
Photocredits: Digishots.nl

Brigitte Boss Museum