Looking to do a 1* this spring, do I need a National or FEI passport?

[southerneventgirl]

Hi,

I am looking for help. I want to do a 1* this spring with my horse. I’ve read the rules, I have my qualifications complete. But the passport thing is a little confusing.
I know I need one, and I have heard that they can take a while to get, so I want to start early. But when you go to the USEF website there are two different forms, one for a national passport and one that says FEI.

Which do I need?

Thanks!

[rhinestone_cowgirl]

http://eventingnation.com/home/know-your-qualifications-cic-and-cci/

[pcwertb]

You need a national passport, and you need to join FEI (yourself) and your horse. You will need the flu shots per the schedule, but you must have the passport in hand to start them as they need to be recorded by your vet. I started in early January for an April event.

[Chouteau]

I feel odd answering this since I haven’t done a 1* yet but I’m qualified and hope to do one next year too and we’ve had LOTS of fb discussions about all the stuff you need (a friend is way ahead of me in the process so she has been my resource) and we’ve been told that as long as you plan on only competing in the US, a national passport is sufficient.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Depends on which 1* you are aiming for. If in the US, you just need a national. But if you plan to go to Bromont… You need an FEI one. Call the USEF. They will walk you through it. Use a vet that knows how to do them and start early!

[Divine_Comedy]

I have to chime in and say if you think you’re going to move up beyond 1* eventually, just get the FEI passport to save yourself the headache of going through the passport process again. I believe you must have an FEI passport at 2* and above, although I’d have to dig through the rules to be sure of the level.

[pcwertb]

Mine did Fair Hill CCI** with her national passport in 2014

[bornfreenowexpensive]

They seem to change the rule all the time but last I checked you didn’t need an FEI passport until competing outside the U.S. or 3* and up but it is pretty easy to look up.

see first page here.

http://useventing.com/resources/files/docs/FEI_Qualification_Requirements_Summary.pdf

[southerneventgirl]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I just need a national one.

[flyracing]

You can upgrade a national to an fei without redoing the national. You send in a form and money with the passport and they add a purple fei cover/addition to the national. So, except the price, there is nothing to redo.

[flyracing]

Also, najyrc requires an fei passport for both one and two star.

[Equisis]

Start the process now. My passport processed pretty quickly but I know some others that have taken quite a while- both to get the passport after submitting an application, and to get the passport back after it has been filled out. Find a vet who is experienced with passports; a mistake in filling it out is a big headache and will set you back time-wise. Also be aware that all the forms you need- passport applications, FEI membership for horse and rider, etc- are found on the USEF site, not the FEI site. I wish someone had told me that as the FEI site is a nightmare and I spent a long time trying to find information where it didn’t exist

[Ponylady27]

I called the USEF and got one story, sent in my forms, etc, and then got contacted by them to let me know that what I had done was totally wrong for my situation.

They were very nice and have taken quite a bit of time to explain the requirements to me and have helped me navigate what is certainly a very confusing process.

FYI - I have an Irish Sport Horse with an Irish passport that is up to date with vaccines. I needed to get a FEI Recognition added to it.

Good luck!