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International Event Riders' Club launches with Harry Meade as president
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The International Event Riders' Club (IERC), which brings together riders competing internationally in eventing, officially launched on 22 October. Its president is Britain's Harry Meade, and it aims to be recognised by the FEI through a memorandum of understanding.
Riders who compete internationally in eventing have set up an organisation to bring their views together. The International Event Riders' Club (IERC) announced its official launch on 22 October (local time). Its president is Britain's Harry Meade.
Who set it up and why
The IERC was formally established on 13 October, when its founding members unanimously approved its statutes. The club said it aims to give riders a clear voice on the rules, governance and development of eventing, and to build a constructive working relationship with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the FEI Eventing Committee to pass on riders' views.
The first board is as follows.
- President: Harry Meade (Great Britain)
- Vice-President: Lynn Symansky (United States)
- Board members: Sam Watson (Ireland), Noor Slaoui (Morocco), Julia Krajewski (Germany), Tim Price (New Zealand) and under-25 representative Oliver Barrett (Australia)
- Bettina Hoy (Germany), the FEI Eventing Committee Athlete Representative, also sits on the board, and Frédérique Reffet Plantier of Switzerland serves as Secretary General.
Membership is free. Any rider registered with the FEI who competes internationally in eventing can join. Retired riders who have represented their country at a major international championship or multisport games can also join as mentor members.
Background and significance
Harry Meade topped the final 2025 FEI World Eventing Athlete Rankings. Board member Tim Price was fourth in the same rankings. Meade said the aim was to create a club that listens to riders, represents them simply and effectively, and lasts for future generations.
David O'Connor, the American Olympian who chairs the FEI Eventing Committee, said he welcomed the riders forming an organisation where they can share a collective voice. He said he looks forward to the IERC being recognised by the FEI through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), becoming a channel for ideas and communication.
At its November 2019 meeting the FEI Board approved a two-tier approach to formalising relationships with outside associations. One tier, the Stakeholder MOU, is used with associations that represent stakeholders directly linked to the FEI disciplines, and it sets out the working relationship and the rights and obligations of both sides. As examples, the FEI lists the International Jumping Riders Club, the Jumping Owners Club and the International Dressage Officials Club.
What comes next
The IERC board plans to review issues raised by members, develop collective positions and keep members informed of relevant discussions and developments. Members can contact the board at any time with questions or suggestions. The launch announcement did not say when an MOU with the FEI might be signed.