FEI is partnering with the British Signify Group

As it did for the World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, the FEI has partnered with the Signify Group from the United Kingdom for the World Championships in Aachen because, according to the International Equestrian Federation, it is one of the world’s leading companies in the field of preventing, detecting, and tracking hate attacks, abuse, and threats on the internet. Through this partnership, the FEI aims to help protect those involved in the World Championships in Aachen—not only the equestrians themselves, but also trainers, officials, and others—from online smear campaigns and similar threats.

Package of Measures

The FEI has announced that it has put together a comprehensive package of measures to achieve this goal. This includes awareness-raising efforts, AI-powered monitoring of activity on the internet and social media, risk assessment, content moderation, support for direct messages (DMs), and investigations into violations.

The entire initiative will be implemented using the AI service “Threat Matrix,” with which Signify is partnering. It identifies instances of online hate speech both before and during the World Cup, evaluates them, and investigates them. Real-time alerts will then be sent to the FEI, along with appropriate support options, so that they can respond quickly if necessary.

Cases of online abuse and threats are on the rise

The FEI states that this new partnership is a response to an increasing number of online attacks and threats against equestrians and other stakeholders. Insults and threats are occurring with increasing frequency, particularly at major tournaments and following incidents that have been widely discussed in public.

There have been documented cases of threatening messages, persistent insults, and targeted harassment. “In some cases, riders have reported coordinated attacks on various platforms in the wake of controversies surrounding tournaments,” according to the FEI.

Criticism is welcome

Mikael Rentsch, head of the FEI’s legal department, stated that “constructive criticism and respectful debates” remain an “important part” of the sport and will continue to be welcomed. At the same time, however, the FEI enforces a “clear zero-tolerance policy” against online hate, racism, homophobia, insults, fraud, spam, etc.

“Our goal is to create a safe and respectful online environment where athletes, officials, and all members of our community can interact with confidence. By monitoring and addressing harmful content, we are making it clear that abuse will not be tolerated and that appropriate measures will be taken,” Rentsch continued.

In addition, the FEI’s goal is to ensure that those involved know how to protect themselves and, if necessary, how to get support.

FN is also involved

This partnership involves not only the FEI and Signify, but also the FN, as the company’s head of sports, Jake Marsh, explains: “Sports should provide an environment where athletes and officials can perform and interact without fear of hostility or abuse.” Following the positive experience with our monitoring service at the FEI World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, we are pleased to bring an expanded offering to Aachen in close collaboration with the FEI and the German Equestrian Federation (FN).”

The “Threat Matrix” service identifies risks early on, neutralizes malicious content in real time, and provides investigative findings that help bring perpetrators to justice. This would make the World Cup “one of the most comprehensively protected events of its kind,” according to Marsh.

FN will also use Signify’s “Thread Matrix.”

Signify’s services at the FEI World Championships in Aachen include:

• Real-time monitoring of public conversations and comments to identify emerging risks, shifts in sentiment, and potential escalations


• Providing alerts and evidence from investigations to the FEI’s communications, security, and safety teams


• Content moderation on the official social media channels of the FEI and the event, including the removal of offensive or abusive content, as appropriate.