Maltese Coaches Earn FEI Certification, Raising Riding Standards
Through Collaboration the equestrian community in Malta has reached an important milestone, as several local coaches have now earned FEI international certification, a qualification that raises the bar for riding instruction, equine welfare, and safety.
While Maltese riders and coaches have been travelling abroad for many years to seek training and opportunities, what makes this development stand out is the structured collaboration between Elena Vella, Gina Curmi, and Nicole Hili, who worked together to merge theory with practice and raise local training standards.
Academic Meets Practical:
• At Elite Riding Academy, founder Elena Vella established the academic and theoretical standards for rider education and horse care.
• Building on this foundation, Nicole Hili (Equestrian Journey) and Gina Curmi (Stables Tales Equestrian Training) provided the practical training and exposure, guiding riders step by step, both at home and abroad, to put these standards into practice.
This combination of strong theoretical grounding with hands-on experience has given Maltese riders a more structured and professional pathway than before.
Spotlight on Sicily:
A recent educational trip to Sicily, organised by Gina and Nicole with Nicole’s students, show-cased this balance perfectly. Riders, who had been prepared with solid foundations at home, had the opportunity to be trained under international coach Gabriella Alessandrello at Circolo Ippico La Quercia, experiencing new facilities and new horses while applying what they had learned locally. The coaches were also able to benefit from the trip by further exhibiting their coaching skills in a different environment.
This trip reflects Malta’s long-standing tradition of seeking knowledge abroad, but with the add-ed strength of a cohesive, coach-led program that ensures learning continues effectively back in Malta.
Raising Standards Together:
Over the past three years, the coaches have also worked with European experts to align local practices with international standards, combining scientific and academic training with practical horsemanship.
The results are already showing:
• Several of Nicole’s students achieved strong results in local competitions following the Sicily experience.
• Gina Curmi went on to win the 2025 National Dressage Championship while Nicole Hili secured the title of 2025 National Show Jumping Champion, hosted by the Malta Eques-trian Federation and EquestriMalta.
These achievements highlight the positive impact of working together and show how combining academic preparation, practical exposure, and international experience can lift standards across the whole equestrian community.
Moving Forward:
“This is a proud step for Maltese equestrianism,” said Gina Curmi on behalf of her colleagues. “Our riders have always sought opportunities abroad, but now we’re combining those experiences with structured training and clear standards here at home, ensuring the entire community benefits.”
With these developments, Malta’s equestrian scene is becoming more unified, professional, and internationally connected, offering young riders the tools they need to grow and succeed.
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