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Equestrian Federations in Germany: How the FN, State Associations, and Clubs are Connected

The FN is the umbrella organization for equestrian sport in Germany. Its federation includes the state associations, which advise clubs and equestrian businesses. Here, you'll learn how these levels are connected and what responsibilities the FN takes on.

Equidara editorial team · 21 October 2026 · 4 min read

The German Equestrian Federation, or FN for short, is the umbrella organization in Germany for breeders, riders, drivers, and vaulters. Among other things, it oversees competitive equestrian sport, uniform training regulations, and represents the interests of riding clubs and equestrian businesses. The state associations are part of its federation. Additionally, the state associations offer advice to clubs and businesses.

FN and Pferdesport Deutschland: The Same Umbrella Organization

According to the German Equestrian Federation on its Organizational Structure, the FN uses the name “Pferdesport Deutschland” in its external communications. The Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung e. V. remains the legal and organizational entity. Therefore, these two names do not represent two separate umbrella organizations.

Internationally, the FN is known as the Fédération Equestre Nationale. Its federation includes state associations, breeding associations, and affiliated organizations, among others. According to its own statements, the umbrella organization addresses numerous topics related to horses, not just riding, but also driving, vaulting, and horse breeding.

The federation also includes a publishing house. The former FNverlag has been called Pferdesport Deutschland Verlag since 2026 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung. Among other things, it publishes guidelines, rulebooks, and textbooks.

How Clubs, State Associations, and the FN are Connected

On its page about its organizational structure, the FN lists the club members of Pferdesport Deutschland as part of its federation, alongside state associations, breeding associations, and affiliated organizations. It also represents the interests of its member equestrian businesses, as well as riding clubs and their members.

So, the federation's structure includes not only riders but also clubs, businesses, and other organizations. For questions regarding club and business management, clubs and businesses can contact the state associations.

For you, this means: Your riding club, the state association, and the FN are different levels. They collaborate within the federation but don't automatically take on the same responsibilities.

What Responsibilities the FN Has in Competitive Equestrian Sport

According to § 4 of the Performance Testing Regulations in the LPO 2024 edition from Pferdesport Deutschland Verlag, the FN, as the leading specialist federation, directs and coordinates equestrian riding, driving, and vaulting sports, as well as the performance testing system. It issues the Performance Testing Regulations, or LPO for short.

According to this version, its responsibilities also include:

• Issuing FN annual competition licenses and starting permits.
• Classifying riders, drivers, and vaulters into performance levels.
• Registering horses.
• Issuing the implementing regulations for the LPO.
• Publishing the task book and guidelines for riding, driving, and vaulting.
• Registering results of national and international performance tests and providing achievements, performances, and data from equestrian sport and horse breeding.

For certain horse performance shows and performance tests, the FN recognizes the organizers. It reviews and approves dates and entries for these in agreement with the responsible state commission.

The FN can approve exceptions to the LPO in particularly justified cases. This occurs in coordination with the responsible state commission and, if applicable, with the organizer. Therefore, the FN decides on an exception, not the organizer alone.

Which Rulebooks You Should Distinguish

The overview of FN rulebooks from Pferdesport Deutschland Verlag distinguishes between rulebooks for performance tests, for basic equestrian events, and for training and examinations.

LPO: Performance Testing Regulations

The LPO regulates performance tests to promote equestrian riding, driving, and vaulting, German horse breeding, and horse keeping. It binds the natural and legal persons affiliated with the FN who prepare, conduct, supervise, or participate in performance tests or horse performance tests.

WBO: Basic Equestrian Event Regulations

The WBO is the rulebook for participating in and conducting WBO events. It is aimed at first-time participants, first-time organizers, judges or examiners, as well as individuals already active in basic equestrian sport.

APO: Training and Examination Regulations

The APO serves to standardize training and examinations in riding, driving, and vaulting, as well as in horse breeding and keeping. It applies nationwide and is drafted and published by the FN. It is binding for equestrians, instructors, those responsible for club and business management, competition professionals, and other groups of people involved in training.

Advice for Clubs and Equestrian Businesses

According to the German Equestrian Federation on Club and Business Management, clubs and businesses can use the club and business advisory services of the state associations for informal consultation. The FN provides an overview of contact persons.

Additionally, Pferdesport Deutschland publishes a free “Servicebrief” every three months. It contains information specifically for equestrian clubs and businesses.

More Than Competitions and Events

The FN's responsibilities extend beyond competitions. With the APO, it establishes how training and examinations in riding, driving, and vaulting, as well as in horse breeding and keeping, are uniformly conducted. It also publishes guidelines for riding, driving, and vaulting.

The FN is also active internationally. According to § 4 of the LPO 2024, it recognizes competition professionals for international performance tests, in agreement with the responsible state commission and the German Judges' Association for Horse Performance Tests. It nominates these professionals to the FEI, the international equestrian federation. Furthermore, the FN sets and collects its fees and charges.

Common questions

Are the FN and Pferdesport Deutschland two different federations?

No. According to the FN, it uses the name “Pferdesport Deutschland” in its external communications. The Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung e. V. remains the legal and organizational entity.

How are riding clubs connected to the FN?

According to the FN, it represents the interests of riding clubs and their member equestrian businesses. Its federation includes the state associations, whose club and business advisory services clubs and businesses can utilize.

Who issues the FN annual competition license?

According to § 4 of the LPO in the LPO 2024 edition, the FN issues annual competition licenses and starting permits. It also classifies riders, drivers, and vaulters into performance levels.

Where can clubs and equestrian businesses get advice?

According to the FN, they can use the club and business advisory services of the state associations for informal consultation. The FN provides an overview of contact persons.

Sources

1. Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN): Verbandsstruktur und Einbindung der Landesverbände – pferdesport-deutschland.de (28.07.2026)
2. Pferdesport und Pferdezucht | Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung FN (13.10.2026)
3. Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN): Vereins- und Betriebsführung; Beratung durch die Landesverbände – pferdesport-deutschland.de
4. § 4 Aufgaben der Deutschen Reiterlichen Vereinigung (FN) (2024)
5. FN-Regelwerke online oder per APP | FNverlag (2024)

Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 24 October 2026.

Fachlich geprüft von Melissa Hinze, Pferdezüchterin und Pferdehändlerin, Gründerin von Equidara.

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