Worldwide
Initiated in France during the 1970s, horseball has quickly spread in Europe, becoming more and more popular. Since 1992 eight nations organize yearly the european cup. It now starts to be played all around the world.
International Federations
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FIHB is the international federation of horseball. FIHB promotes horseball worldwide as a whole equestrian discipline, coordinates efforts between national federations, and organizes international competitions. Visit FIHB at www.fihb-horseball.org. |
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FEI is the international federation of equestrian sport. FEI establishes rules and regulations for the conduct of international equestrian events. Horseball is an official discipline in groups I and II since April 2004. Visit FEI at www.horsesport.org. |
National Organizations
Horseball is supported by most national equestrian federations in Europe.
France |
Great Britain |
Belgium |
Germany |
Austria |
Italy |
Spain |
Portugal |
Brazil |
Canada |
United States |
Netherland |
Milestones
| 1930s | Equestrian games like Polo, "Paddock Polo", or "Pato de picadero", develop in France |
| 1936 | Capitain Clave, a show jumping world champion from French cavalry, introduces a new team game called "Horse-Ball", which rises lot of interest. Unfortunately after the world war II, it will mostly remain practiced in a few riding clubs, as a seat deepening exercise. |
| 1970s | FFE, the French equestrian federation is looking forward to develop equestrian games to bring a new dynamism in the riding schools. |
| 1977 | Demonstration of various equestrian games during a major horse show in Paris |
| 1978 | Jean-Paul Depons, together with FFE, establishes the base of horseball. |
| 1979 | Horseball is codified and the first rules are edited. |
| 1979 | First French national horseball championship |
| 1988 | France demonstrates horseball abroad, and several countries start to develop teams. |
| 1992 | First European Cup, with England, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and Portugal. |
| 1999 | Establishment of FIHB to organize international development. |
| 2002 | Demonstration matches during FEI WEG in Jerez, Spain. |
| 2003 | First Women European Cup, at Abano in Italy. |
| 2004 | FEI recognizes horseball as offical equestrian discipline in groups I and II. |
| 2004 | First Junior European Cup, at Lamotte-Beuvron in France. |