Olympic transfer deadline looms

Owners looking to secure new horses ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics have until 15 January next year to complete the deal. 

The “transfer window” of December is usually a busy time ahead of the Olympics.

Riders and producers of all disciplines will be involved in the process

For London 2012 several top horses were sold ahead of the deadline, including Titus (pictured, above), who went to Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia from Britain’s Guy Williams. 

He was swiftly reunited with Guy Williams — but too late to be re-registered to Team GBR for a chance to compete at the London Games.

British showjumper Talan was also sold — this time by Robert Smith and Di Cornish to Saudi Equestrian Fund for Prince Faisal, but didn’t make it onto their 2012 bronze medal-winning squad.

The Olympic transfer deadline usually falls on 31 December. This time it is 15 January, so a flurry of sales is expected in the coming weeks.

“This was voted in at the 2013 FEI general assembly,” said a spokesman for the FEI.

“The reason for changing the date to 15 January from 31 December is to take account of office closures over the Christmas and New Year period for all associated organisations.”

For more on horses that have transferred riders ahead of the deadline don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H, out 10 December.

For H&H showjumping columnist William Funnell’s thoughts, don’t miss his comment in this week’s issue of H&H — out now (4 December).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now