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Last year, the recommendations of the Ljungqvist and
Stevens Commissions laid out a clear roadmap for improving
governance and compliance issues, opening the way for a
new era of Clean Sport. In 2009, the FEI continued to work
on education, the professionalisation of more roles in the
sport and the need to redefi ne protocols. The FEI family’s
overwhelming support for the recommendations and its
endorsement of the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled
Medication Regulations mean that we can now take concrete
action that will benefi t our athletes, our community and
our public. I would like to thank Lord Stevens and Professor
Ljungqvist for paving the way to ensuring the removal of
improper practices from our sport.
I would also like to thank our sponsors – Alltech, HSBC and
Rolex – for their precious support and loyalty. This year, the
FEI was also proud and delighted to enter into a partnership
with Meydan, the company behind the world’s fi rst integrated
equine, leisure, entertainment and business development in
Dubai. Their sponsorship of the FEI Nations Cup was a very
special gift to the event in its 100th anniversary year, which
was marked by a truly exciting series of competitions that led
to the French team’s overall victory. Although Italy fi nished
the eight-leg Meydan FEI Nations Cup series in eighth place,
newly-appointed chef d’equipe Markus Fuchs demonstrated
great leadership skills by guiding his team to a remarkable
victory at the fi nal event in Dublin.
This was also the year in which some wonderful new talents
were confi rmed. Kevin Staut’s performance with Kraque
Boom Bois Margo at the Alltech FEI European Jumping and
Dressage Championships at Windsor in August enabled
France to celebrate its fi rst individual European title for ten
years. Meanwhile, the sensational Dutch duo of Edward Gal
and Moorlands Tortillas re-set freestyle world records three
times and, in December, scored an impressive 92.30% at the
fourth leg of the FEI World Cup Dressage Series in London.
In August, the FEI’s fi rst Year of Youth began, with the aim of
giving a voice to the new generation of riders. I am happy to
say that their voice is strong and passionate and that their
hopes are high. When the fi rst Youth Olympic Games take
place in Singapore this August, the world will witness just
FOREWORD
BY THE FEI
PRESIDENT
how much young people can achieve through dedication
and determination. I am convinced that the performances
of the competitors will serve to inspire and motivate other
young riders.
Equestrian heroes in fi ve categories were celebrated at the
revamped FEI Awards in Copenhagen in November. I would
like to congratulate Wendy Gidlow from Africa (Alltech
Development Award), Alex Hua Tian, from China (HSBC Rising
Star Award), Michelle Robson, Australia (Best Groom Award)
and Darlene Milord, Haiti (Against All Odds Award) and
inspirational rider Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, Germany,
who took the award for Best Athlete. We hope that when
the awards are launched in 2010, the response to our call for
nominees will match this year’s, which went far beyond our
expectations, with over 1,300 nominations from the global
equestrian community. It is an honour for the FEI to be able
to pay tribute to those who personify the passion, dedication
and determination that are, and must remain, the core values
of our sport.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Executive and of
course to the Volunteer Body for their continual and unstinting
dedication. 2010 looks set to be a challenging but exciting
year and their support will be vital. My warmest thoughts also
go to the organisers and sponsors of all the events in 2010,
which will once again showcase equestrian excellence. I wish
all the riders the very best of luck and hope that everybody
involved will enjoy great sporting moments conducted in the
very best spirit of horsemanship, with Clean Sport and Fair
Play as the guiding lights.
HRH Princess Haya
FEI ANNUAL REPORT 2009 3