FITE

About

The Fédération Internationale de Tourisme Équestre (FITE) was founded in 1975 at the initiative of France and in conjuction with Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Its purpose is to gather national equestrian tourism organisms (NETOs) throughout the world. Its will is to represent them and supervise their actions in order to develop touristic activities involving equines.

It is administrated by a General Assembly and a Board of Directors. Its head and administrative office is based in Lamotte-Beuvron (France), in the offices of the French Equestrian Federation (Fédération Française d'Equitation, FFE). The FITE is handling the technical matters of its activities thanks to a Technical Delegate and through the work and proposals of commissions. They aim to create rules and to develop competitions of outdoor and traditional riding, such as TREC or working equitation.

The internationalization of the organization, the sharing of tasks and services is a reality for the FITE. Our board is representative of good relationships between men and countries. No borders, several flags, a single banner to defend the interests and the future of outdoor riding and horseback travelers.

Video ©Hautes Terres Tourisme

Elle encadre le tourisme équestre mais aussi les sports équestres.

In a nutshell

Its priorities

FITE

Member countries

Its purpose is to gather National Equestrian Tourism Organism (NETO) worldwide in order to represent them, coordinate their actions and to contribute to the development of all touristic activities linked to the involvement of equines.

By topic

EU Committee

In order to meet the European NETOs' expectations, the FITE implemented an EU committee that aims to discuss National and European regulation applying to equestrian tourism. Monitoring is also undertaken in order to analyze European legislation impacting sanitary conditions linked to equestrian and soft mobility.

By topic

Hiking

The FITE supports and accompanies the development of transnational equestrian routes on an international scale. To do so, a study about cross-border link has been carried out. This study demonstrated that the international organization of equestrian tourism differs between countries. Thus, the FITE is willing to conduct an alignment of safe and recognized equestrian routes on an international level. Those include places where riders can take a break and where horses may benefit from requiered services. The FITE joins outdoors sports meetings on an European scale in order to represent equestrian tourism on an international level. The FITE is also involved with associations promoting rurality.

By topic

Training

The freedom to travel is intimately linked to the ability to be autonomous and responsible in the natural environment. Thus, training represents an essential element in what equestrian tourism has to offer. It concerns in the first place the instructors - which means those who have the responsibility to guide and accompany the riders on the hiking trails. Moreover, it also concerns riders that are willing to acquire specific abilities to practice outdoors equitation.
For more than fifteen years, thanks to the thrust and with the help of the FITE, many NETOs have compared their teaching methods in order to harmonise their relative diplomas. By bringing professionnalism and quality, this convention answers the growing concerns about security, seriousness and comfort. Equestrian tourism diplomas have also been added in the equivalence grid of IGEQ - International Group for Equestrian Qualifications - thanks to the involvement of the FITE.

By topic

Competition

The freedom to travel is intimately linked to the ability to be autonomous and responsible in the natural environment. Thus, training represents an essential element in what equestrian tourism has to offer. It concerns in the first place the instructors - which means those who have the responsibility to guide and accompany the riders on the hiking trails. Moreover, it also concerns riders that are willing to acquire specific abilities to practice outdoors equitation.
For more than fifteen years, thanks to the thrust and with the help of the FITE, many NETOs have compared their teaching methods in order to harmonise their relative diplomas. By bringing professionnalism and quality, this convention answers the growing concerns about security, seriousness and comfort. Equestrian tourism diplomas have also been added in the equivalence grid of IGEQ - International Group for Equestrian Qualifications - thanks to the involvement of the FITE.