At the FEI Driving World Championship Aachen 2026, during the Dressage test held on 21 August, Anna Mareike Meier (GER) was eliminated for using a bit that is not permitted under the FEI Tack & Equipment Requirements. The GER NF Chef d’Equipe submitted a protest against the decision. After having heard the GER NF representatives, the Ground Jury deliberated and decided that the Protest was accepted.

A photograph of the bit in question was only added recently, i.e on 3 August 2026, 18 days prior to the FEI Driving World Championship, to the FEI TackApp and did not comply with the FEI TackApp Policy.

The subject of the Protest was therefore the procedure and implementation of the FEI Tack & Equipment Requirements and not a field of play decision, contrary to the two other Protests below that were considered as field of play matters.
During the same competition, Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) was eliminated for using a bit that did not comply with the FEI Veterinary Regulations and the FEI Tack & Equipment Requirements. The bit in question had two separate modifications, i.e., one on the port of the bit and a second one on the rings of the bit; that affected its function in contravention with Art. 1044.6 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations. The Chef d’Equipe submitted a protest against the decision, which was dismissed by the Ground Jury.

On the preceding day, Wayne Van Niekerk (RSA) was as well eliminated for using a port bit, that amongst others exceeded the maximum permitted height of 55mm of the port. The athlete submitted a protest against the decision, which was dismissed by the Ground Jury.