Federación Ecuestre de Chile (FEDECH): Chile’s National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport
Federación Ecuestre de Chile (FEDECH): Chile’s National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport
The Federación Ecuestre de Chile (FEDECH) traces its founding meeting to November 27, 1923, when it was established as the “Asociación de Paperchase de Chile.” The organization was reformulated in 1934 as the Federación Nacional de Deportes Ecuestres, then took its current name in 1955. Headquartered on Avenida Ramón Cruz Montt in Ñuñoa, Santiago, FEDECH has been affiliated with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) since 1935, according to its official record, and recently marked its 100th anniversary with a commemorative history book documenting a century of Chilean equestrian sport.
The Role of FEDECH in Chilean Equestrian Sport
FEDECH governs eight disciplines across Chile — jumping (salto), dressage (adiestramiento), three-day eventing (CCE), endurance (enduro), carriage driving (enganche), para-equestrian (paraecuestre), ponies, and reining (rienda) — through six regional associations that coordinate more than 40 affiliated clubs nationwide. A major structural reform between 1977 and 1979 reorganized the federation around these regional bodies, a structure that still underpins how Chilean riders access competition today. The federation runs rider and horse registration through its DataFEDECH platform, operates an educational arm called FEDECH Campus, and accredits clubs across the country.
What FEDECH Does
| Function | With FEDECH Registration | Without FEDECH Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Rider & horse registration | Registered through the DataFEDECH platform, valid across all affiliated regional associations | Cannot enter FEDECH-sanctioned competitions |
| Club accreditation | Club is one of more than 40 accredited FEDECH clubs organized under six regional associations | Operates outside the federation’s structure and support network |
| International competition | Pathway to FEI-sanctioned events through FEDECH’s FEI membership since 1935 | Results carry no international recognition |
| Education & training | Access to FEDECH Campus training and certification programs | No standardized, federation-backed instruction pathway |
| Major regional events | Eligible for FEI South American Championship events hosted in Chile | No route to compete in continental-level competition on home soil |
3 Real-World Scenarios
- A young jumping rider in Santiago registering through DataFEDECH so they can compete under one of the federation’s six regional associations.
- A club in a Chilean region outside Santiago seeking FEDECH accreditation to join the network of more than 40 affiliated clubs and gain access to the national competition calendar.
- A dressage or jumping athlete preparing for the FEI Jumping South American Championship Santiago 2026, using FEDECH-sanctioned national results to qualify.
2 Chile Equestrian Facts
- FEDECH was founded on November 27, 1923 as the Asociación de Paperchase de Chile, and recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary with a dedicated commemorative history book.
- In July 2026, Chile’s youth team won second place at the World Clubs Tournament in Lamotte-Beuvron, France, one of the federation’s most notable recent international results.
What is the Federación Ecuestre de Chile (FEDECH)?
When was FEDECH founded?
Where is FEDECH headquartered?
What disciplines does FEDECH govern?
Is FEDECH affiliated with the FEI?
How is FEDECH organized regionally?
Who currently leads FEDECH?
What is DataFEDECH?
Does FEDECH host international events?
Has Chile had recent international equestrian success?
Kennel Club de Chile (KCC): Chile’s National Kennel Club
Fédération Française d’Équitation (FFE): France’s National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport
