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(iv) the naturalized Athlete had to renounce his/her former nationality as a condition of acquiring
a new one.
2.2.4 Where the naturalized Athlete can establish that he/she is legally married to a national of
the new country of nationality, the residency requirement set out in paragraph 2.2.2 (i) shall
be reduced to one (1) year of uninterrupted legal residence or three (3) years of non-
consecutive periods of legal residence.
2.2.5 An application for an Athlete’s change of sport nationality must be filed with the FEI
Secretary General, through his/her new NF, stating the reason for the change and supported
by the Athlete’s passport or equivalent document for the new country that he/she wishes to
represent. The FEI must inform the current NF that a request for change of sport nationality
has been filed.
2.2.6 An Athlete shall only be entitled to compete for his/her new NF once the FEI has given its
written approval of the change in sport nationality.
2.2.7 In special and exceptional circumstances, the FEI has the discretion to grant exceptions,
with the agreement of the NFs concerned.
2.2.8 Participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is also subject to Olympic and Paralympic
Regulations (Bye-law to Rule 42, Olympic Charter) and in particular to any waiting period
imposed by these regulations. Similarly, participation in Regional and Continental Games is
also subject to the regulations of the relevant governing body.
3. Sport nationality and sport nationality changes: Minor Athletes
3.1 A Minor Athlete who is a citizen of more than one country can choose each calendar year
which NF he/she wants to represent.
3.2 A Minor Athlete may subsequently change his/her NF (only once per calendar year). Such
change of NF is subject to the previous NF’s, the new NF’s and the FEI’s approvals if the
Minor Athlete has already participated in an international event for another NF since 1
January of that calendar year.
3.3 As of the Minor Athlete’s 18th birthday, paragraph 2 above applies. At such time, the Athlete
will register with the chosen NF who will, in turn, register the Athlete with the FEI.
4. If an associate state, province or overseas department, a country or a colony acquires
independence; if a country becomes incorporated within another country by reason of a
change of border; or if a new NF is recognized by the FEI, an Athlete may continue to
represent the country to which he/she belongs or belonged if that country continues to have
an NOC. However, he/she may, if he/she prefers, choose to represent his/her new NF. This
particular choice must receive the Approval of the FEI and may be made only once.
5.1. An Athlete Living outside his/her country of nationality who: (i) loses his/her nationality; (ii)
becomes a refugee; or (iii) whose home country does not have an NF which is a member of
the FEI, can compete internationally as if he were a national of the host country in all
International Events including Championships, until such time as his/her home country has
an NF which is a member of the FEI.
5.2 Athletes whose country of citizenship does not have an NF which is a member of the FEI,
and whose situation does not qualify under paragraphs 4 and 5.1 above, may receive special
authorisation from the FEI to compete in FEI Events under the FEI flag, in exceptional
circumstances and on a case by case basis.
6. Athletes Living outside their country of nationality:
6.1. An Adult Athlete Living outside his/her country of nationality can have his/her entries
processed by his/her “host-NF” for participation in CNs, CIMs as well as CIs if he/she is given
permission of his/her own NF and the FEI. The Athlete, while keeping his/her own NF, comes
under the jurisdiction of the host NF for the above-mentioned Events and must take part
according to the relevant Sport Rules. This administrative facility is not a change of sport
nationality. The Athlete will in all circumstances keep his/her “own NF”, and always compete
under its flag.
6.2 A Minor Athlete may compete for his/her country of residence in the following Events, and
regardless of the country where the Event is organised: CIs for Children, Pony Riders, Junior
Riders and Young Riders (which excludes CIOs and FEI Championships unless his/her own
NF and host NF agree otherwise), and senior CIMs as defined in Appendix E, GRs. In such
circumstances, the Athlete will be compelled to inform his/her “own NF” as well as the FEI.
6.3 A Minor Athlete who has always competed for his/her country of residence and not his/her
own NF, may apply to the FEI to establish his/her country of residence as his/her own NF
once he/she turns eighteen (18), even though he/she is not a national of such country, only
if: (i) he/she has never competed under the flag of his/her own NF; (ii) the country of
residence, in the FEI’s opinion, qualifies as a country where obtaining nationality is overly
burdensome; (iii) the Minor Athlete has a valid identity card or residence permit for the
country of residence, or other equivalent document; and (iii) the Minor Athlete has been a
resident of the country of residence for at least the last five (5) consecutive years. The FEI
shall have sole discretion to grant or deny an application presented under this provision,
weighing the best interests of equestrian sport against the best interests of the Minor
Athlete.

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