A new president will be elected at the FEI general assembly this Sunday (14 December) taking over from Princess Haya in overseeing horse sport globally.

Earlier this year Princess Haya confirmed she would not be standing for a third consecutive four-year term, despite winning a vote in April allowing her to do so. She cited humanitarian work in Gaza as her reason for not running.

Five candidates will now go head-to-head in the race for presidency — Pierre Genecand, Ulf Helgstrand, Pierre Durand, current FEI vice president John McEwen and current FEI secretary general Ingmar de Vos.

Spain’s Javier Revuelta took himself out of contention last month, blaming a “flawed” process that fails to “meet the minimum democratic principles of independency, transparency and equal opportunity to all candidates”.

Mr Revuelta, a former Olympic event rider and now president of the Spanish Equestrian Federation, has complained “numerous” times about the intention of Ingmar de Vos to run for president while retaining his current job

Mr de Vos put forward a proposal that, if elected on 14 December, he would resign as secretary general and call an Extraordinary General Assembly to vote on a statute change enabling future presidents to be paid.

The election will take place on Sunday (14 December) at the FEI General Assembly in Azerbaijan.

Continued below…

More from H&H…

Twist to FEI election campaign

Princess Haya could remain FEI president for an extended period of time due to election dispute

But who will win the vote? H&H helps remind you of the five candidates:

Pierre Genecand

The 64-year-old businessman, banker and insurance broker has been proposed by the Swiss Equestrian Federation.

He served as president of the Geneva International Horse Show from 1989 to 2003 and is the current president of the Polo Club Gstaad and the Hublot Polo Gold Club.

Mr Genecand has also been a member of the board of the World Cup of Horsemanship, the Alliance of Jumping Organisers, and the Committee of Swiss Top Sports.

Ulf Helgstrand

The 64-year-old doctor and former dressage rider has been president of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003.

He was board member and vice president of the Danish Warmblood Association for 10 years and is currently vice president and charter member of the European Equestrian Federation.

John McEwen

The British candidate is the current first vice president of the FEI.

The 69-year-old was British team vet for the showjumping and dressage teams until London 2012.

He was vice chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee from 1999 to 2003 and has been the Committee’s chair since 2006.

He currently chairs the FEI Prohibited Substances List and Laboratory Groups and has served on an advisory panel for World Horse Welfare for more than 15 years.

He represents the FEI at the World Organisation for Animal Health specialising in horse transport issues and on the International Sports Horse Federation.

Pierre Durand

French Olympian Pierre Durand, who is now 57, was showjumping champion at the 1988 Seoul Games with the 13-year old gelding Jappeloup.

He also competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and became European Jumping champion in 1987.

From 1993 to 1998 Mr Durand was President of the French Equestrian Federation. He is currently chairman of the board of directors of the French National Institute for Sport, Expertise, and Performance.

Ingmar De Vos

Currently secretary general of the FEI, the 51-year-old has been put forward by the Belgian Equestrian Federation, which he joined as managing director in 1990. He was secretary general of the organisation from 1997-2011.

Mr De Vos was secretary general of the European Equestrian Federation from 2010-2011.

During his time at the Belgian National Federation, he was chef de mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all FEI World Equestrian Games.

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

Princess Haya could remain “caretaker” president of the FEI for a further four months in an astonishing twist in the campaign to elect her successor.

The proposal is made by FEI secretary general Ingmar de Vos in a bid to end the dispute over whether he can remain in his current, salaried post while also serving as FEI president if elected during the FEI general assembly in Baku on December.

Legal advice initially indicated the dual role was permissible.

But then Pierre Genecand — one of five rival presidential candidates — commissioned an alternative opinion.

De Vos revealed that even his own supporters shared these concerns in an email to all 132 FEI member federations.

He now suggests that if elected, he will resign as secretary general and appoint an interim; ask Princess Haya to consider a handover period; and call an extraordinary general assembly (EGA) during the FEI sports forum next April to vote for a change of statute allowing future presidents to be paid.

Asked what would happen if the EGA then rejected the concept, de Vos said: “I have been clear about my intentions and, were I elected, I would be disappointed if the EGA were to reject the proposal as it is part of my candidacy.

“The FEI is now a professional organisation that needs professionalism at all levels. Many international federations and organisations now have presidents that receive remuneration. There is nothing unusual about this. It is, in my view, not a good practice that the presidency would only be limited to volunteers that can afford it.

“If the EGA were to reject, I would of course respect this and would continue as a volunteer [president], though in that case I would probably also have other occupations not related to the FEI.”

Mr de Vos apologised that the dispute has “become a distraction from the important issue of choosing a suitable president.”

The other candidates are Ulf Helgstrand (Denmark), John McEwen (Britain), Pierre Durand (France) and Javier Revuelta del Peral (Spain).

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (6 October 2014).

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

Two further candidates have joined the race to succeed Princess Haya as FEI President later this year — bringing the final total to six.

Earlier this week — before the deadline day of 1 September — FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos, of Belgium, and Spanish Olympian turned lawyer Javier Revuelata de Peral both announced their intention to run for the position.

Last week British vet, and current FEI first vice president John McEwen came forward for the role. He joined Pierre Genecand of Switzerland, Ulf Helgstrand of Denmark and Pierre Durand of France, who had already declared their intentions.

Last month Princess Haya confirmed she would not be standing for a third consecutive four-year term, despite winning a vote in April allowing her to do so. She cited humanitarian work in Gaza as her reason for not running.

The election will take place on 14 December at the FEI General Assembly in Azerbaijan.

Find out more about the six candidates:

Pierre Genecand

The 64-year-old businessman, banker and insurance broker has been proposed by the Swiss Equestrian Federation.

He served as president of the Geneva International Horse Show from 1989 to 2003 and is the current president of the Polo Club Gstaad and the Hublot Polo Gold Club.

Mr Genecand has also been a member of the board of the World Cup of Horsemanship, the Alliance of Jumping Organisers, and the Committee of Swiss Top Sports.

Ulf Helgstrand

The 64-year-old doctor and former dressage rider has been president of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003.

He was board member and vice president of the Danish Warmblood Association for 10 years and is currently vice president and charter member of the European Equestrian Federation.

John McEwen

The British candidate is the current first vice president of the FEI.

The 69-year-old was British team vet for the showjumping and dressage teams until London 2012.

He was vice chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee from 1999 to 2003 and has been the Committee’s chair since 2006.

He currently chairs the FEI Prohibited Substances List and Laboratory Groups and has served on an advisory panel for World Horse Welfare for more than 15 years.

He represents the FEI at the World Organisation for Animal Health specialising in horse transport issues and on the International Sports Horse Federation.

Javier Revuelta del Peral

T

he Spanish lawyer, 57, is a former rider who has competed nationally and internationally in eventing and jumping and rode in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in eventing.

He also represented Spain in the FEI World Equestrian Games in 1994 and at the FEI European Championships in 1995.

Mr Revuelta has been chairman of the Spanish Equestrian Federation since 2005 and is a member of the Spanish Olympic Committee. He also breeds and owns racehorses.

Pierre Durand

French Olympian Pierre Durand, who is now 57, was showjumping champion at the 1988 Seoul Games with the 13-year old gelding Jappeloup.

He also competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and became European Jumping champion in 1987.

From 1993 to 1998 Mr Durand was President of the French Equestrian Federation. He is currently chairman of the board of directors of the French National Institute for Sport, Expertise, and Performance.

Ingmar De Vos

The 51-year-old is currently secretary general at the FEI and has been put forward by the Belgian Equestrian Federation, which he joined as managing director in 1990. He was secretary general of the organisation from 1997-2011.

Mr De Vos was secretary general of the European Equestrian Federation from 2010-2011.

During his time at the Belgian National Federation, he was chef de mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all FEI World Equestrian Games.

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

Britain’s John McEwen has come forward as a fourth candidate for FEI presidency.

The current vice president of the FEI declared his intention to run for president earlier this week (Tuesday 26 August).

Mr McEwen joins Pierre Durand of France, Ulf Helgstrand of Denmark and Pierre Genecand of Switzerland in the race to become Princess Haya’s successor.

Princess Haya announced she was not going to run for a third term as president earlier this month — despite winning a vote in April to allow her to do so.

Presidency was limited to two four-year terms, a rule which Princess Haya herself brought in.

However, she cited her humanitarian work and her young family as reasons she would not standing again.

Mr McEwen has been chairman of the FEI veterinary committee for the past eight years and was elected as first vice president in 2000.

He has also been overseeing endurance since the discipline was handed to him earlier this year by Princess Haya to prevent a “conflict of interest” due to her husband Sheikh Mohammed’s involvement in the sport.

“I have been delighted to play my part in support of the FEI and of our current President, Princess Haya,” said Mr McEwen.

“I have no illusions about the challenges for this election and the work that needs to be undertaken in the future. I run because I know I have the confidence and support of my own Federation and because I am committed to the direction our current president has forged. There is clearly more work to do but we have good people in place and a sound executive team led well by its Secretary General, Ingmar De Vos.

“If elected, I will seek to run a steady course and a period of further evolution.”

BEF’s president and chairman, Keith Taylor, added: “We were geared to support Princess Haya in her campaign to run for another four years. Her withdrawal from the race a couple of weeks before nominations close has caused us to move quickly.

“But, we took no time in citing John McEwen for our nomination. He is hugely experienced and electable. He knows the FEI inside out and he knows what needs to be done to build on Princess Haya’s outstanding legacy. He is very well respected throughout the international community as a man of integrity.”

The election will be held at the FEI General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan on 14 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

Tamper-proof GPS units on horse and rider are among unprecedented surveillance measures in place at today’s endurance ride in Sartilly (Thursday 28 August) as the FEI strives to avoid a scandal-free Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG).

FEI vice-president John McEwen outlined the level of scrutiny in a letter to national federations, urging them to circulate it to riders and officials, and stressing that: “the eyes of the world are upon us”.

Earlier this year Princess Haya handed over responsibility for endurance to Mr McEwen, to prevent any “conflict of interest” questions as a result of her husband Sheikh Mohammed’s involvement in the sport.

Tougher new rules were applied from 1 August, following the FEI’s clean-up after controversy about doping, fatalities and cheating raged for over a year.

“Not only is it important that these rule changes are now in place, it is also critical to the future health of the discipline that there is greater awareness of the commitment to address the issues that endurance has faced, and our determination to overcome them,” said Mr McEwen.

Other surveillance measures at Sartilly include:

• Fixed and roving video surveillance at the vet gates, and in the cooling area and rest areas.
• All video recordings will be in high definition, recorded continuously and with the capability to produce individual, HD and colour pictures.
• An approved FEI timing system to send horses to vet lanes in strict order of arrival, removing any perceived conflict of interest as horses will be automatically diverted away from own-nation officials.
• Additional FEI officials, in excess of those required by the rules.
• More dope testing and a pre-event testing facility.

The French Arab Horse association, L’ACA, has spoken out about the negative impact the endurance scandals have had on the breeding of Arabian horses — France sells many into the Middle East endurance community. The association has started a campaign called “Doping is Killing”, and will be selling posters and bumper stickers on its trade stand at WEG.

First published in H&H magazine 28 August 2014

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

Princess Haya will not be standing for a third term as president of horse sport’s governing body, the FEI.

She said today (Tuesday 12 August) that “after a great deal of thought and reflection” she has made the “very difficult decision” not to stand for a third term, despite winning a vote earlier this year allowing her to do so.

The president, who was first elected in 2006, cited the desire to spend more time with her young family and to put more into humanitarian work in Gaza as the reason.

“To fulfill my commitments to humanitarian work and to raise my children with the time to love them seems truly overwhelming; it is clear to me that I cannot in good faith promise to give my all in each of these areas while also continuing to be the hands-on president that the FEI needs and deserves,” she said.

“After agonising over these conflicting worries and desires, I realise that my decision cannot be put off any longer. For the good of the FEI and most of all, our community, this decision had to be reached in good time to allow the many excellent candidates to come forward.”

FEI rules previously limited presidents to two consecutive four-year terms — a rule brought in by Princess Haya herself.

Princess Haya added that she had always intended to step down after two terms, but that her “resolve had been weakened” by the response at the extraordinary general assembly in April.

There she won a landslide vote, allowing her to stand for a third term as FEI president. The vote still limits the Presidential term to three — previously the FEI Presidential term of office was unlimited.

As the junior wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, several nations had said they would oppose any movement as they believed it creates a “conflict of interest”.

But in April only three Federations were in opposition [Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Holland] with a further 103 showing their support.

“This demonstration of support was a humbling and truly huge moment in my life,” she said.

“Equestrian sport has been, and continues to be, a source of inspiration to me. I have loved serving this community, just as I have loved being an athlete in our family.”

Princess Haya added that she has “no doubt” the future of the FEI “is solid”.

“I am very proud of the many things we were able to achieve together during my time in office. I look forward to an election campaign focused on ideas for further improvements. I will now be in a position to focus totally on serving the FEI until my last minute in office and to leaving the house in the best order for my successor,” she said.

“I remain deeply honoured to have held this position for eight years.”

Princess Haya was to face competition for the role, as in May Swiss businessman Pierre Genecard officially declared he would also be standing for the position.

“I am deeply convinced that I could bring a renewed energy to the FEI in many aspects, be it in sports, commercial matters or media promotion, not to mention the welfare of the horse,” said Mr Genecand earlier this year.

Read Princess Haya’s statement in full

The FEI presidential election will take place at the general assembly on 14 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

Earlier today, I notified the National Federations, the FEI Bureau and the FEI staff that, after a great deal of thought and reflection, I have made the very difficult decision not to stand for a third term as FEI President.

This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. My very first act in office in 2006 was to prepare a motion to limit the term of the FEI President to two, four-year terms. I reiterated that view in my re-election campaign four years later and again when some of my supporters began advocating for a statute change that would permit me to run for a third term.

Although I had always planned to leave office after this term, my resolve was weakened at the FEI General Assembly in 2013 when I was presented with a petition signed by 100 National Federations calling for an Extraordinary General Assembly to change the FEI Statutes. I gave more thought to the possibility of a third term when the Extraordinary General Assembly voted to change the Statutes to permit it.

This demonstration of support was a humbling and truly huge moment in my life. And, as I weighed the possibilities in reaching this difficult decision, the gratitude and loyalty I felt to those who had been so faithful to me was paramount among the countless reasons compelling me to consider a third term.

Equestrian sport has been and continues to be a source of inspiration to me. Horses and the relationship between a human and the horse are as old as time itself, and for me that relationship will never lose its magic. Horses and our community motivate the best part of my soul. I have loved serving this community, just as I have loved being an athlete in our family. And I have always felt that the Olympic values are a source of pride for all of us.

I adore the friends I have made in the sport, many of whom I have relied on in office. My colleagues in the FEI, in the National Federations, in the Bureau and our Headquarters staff have done so much to improve and modernise this organisation in the last eight years, and I would have loved to continue to build on that progress.

It would have been beyond exciting for me to continue to be part of this institution that is now truly in a position to reap the rewards of this metamorphosis and to see all of the continued work in that process be rewarded.

Having said all that, the factors that have led to my decision not to seek a third term are, for me, impossible to ignore. I committed to a term limit, and that commitment still weighs heavily on me. However, most importantly, as I said in the EGA, I needed to see if a third term would work with my family.

As always, I continue to have the support of my family, and yet, I am painfully aware that their support for me comes at a cost for them. Fate took my own mother away from me when I was three years of age. That experience greatly influences my efforts to strike the right work-life balance with my own two young children. I have always managed this balance in the past, but recent events have made me question my ability to do so.

The situation in my region is turbulent and desperate at the moment. You will understand that these are also my people and my family, so recently much of the work that I have balanced with my FEI Presidency in the past has begun to make itself a first priority. In the last weeks, I have needed to put aside some of my work for the FEI to concentrate on humanitarian relief to Gaza and other work in that sector. And I feel that this is just the beginning.

To fulfill my commitments to humanitarian work and to raise my children with the time to love them seems truly overwhelming; it is clear to me that I cannot in good faith promise to give my all in each of these areas while also continuing to be the hands-on President that the FEI needs and deserves. After agonising over these conflicting worries and desires, I realise that my decision cannot be put off any longer. For the good of the FEI and most of all, our community, this decision had to be reached in good time to allow the many excellent candidates to come forward.

I have no doubt that the future of the FEI is solid. I am very proud of the many things we were able to achieve together during my time in office. I look forward to an election campaign focused on ideas for further improvements. I will now be in a position to focus totally on serving the FEI until my last minute in office and to leaving the house in the best order for my successor.

I remain deeply honoured to have held this position for eight years.

FEI president Princess Haya was honoured by Aachen at the weekend for her “long-standing commitment to equestrian sport”.

The Princess was awarded the prize of the City of Aachen at Aachen CHIO on Sunday (20 July).

The major of Aachen, Marcel Philipp, presented her with the award, given annually since 1995.

“This award means a great deal to me both personally and in my role as FEI president,” said Princess Haya.

“In receiving it I must emphasise that I have achieved nothing alone. Every step forward in equestrian sport made since I became president is the result of teamwork.

“If our sport is continuing to grow in popularity it is because our top athletes are playing a huge role by inspiring young people to become involved in it. But this could not happen without events such as Aachen.”

Aachen hosted the fifth FEI World Equestrian Games in 2006, the year Princess Haya become FEI president.

Next year the Aachen will host the FEI European championships in dressage, jumping, vaulting, driving and reining.

This is the first time five European championships will take place at the same venue.

For more information visit www.aachen2015.com

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

Princess Haya faces a contest to retain the FEI presidency with confirmation that Swiss financier Pierre Genecand, 64, is a candidate.

Genecand, a leading figure in both Swiss showjumping and polo, has been formally backed by the Swiss Equestrian Federation, which has strongly criticised Haya’s “conflicted” status as the wife of Sheikh Mohammed. The Sheikh’s Dubai stables have been at the centre of the horse welfare crisis raging in endurance racing for the past 12 months.

Princess Haya originally declared she would not seek re-election at the completion of her maximum 2 terms, but in April national federations approved a statute change that would permit Haya a third term.

Genecand is an insurance broker by profession. He speaks five languages and divides his time between homes in Geneva and Buenos Aires. He has been president of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad for 20 years, is past president of Geneva horse show, and was on the organising committee of the 1998 WEG in Rome.

He regards his election prospects as “undiminished,” despite broad support for Princess Haya.

“There is still a long way to go before the elections,” he said. Describing himself as “an independent president with no conflicting interests,” he aims increase the focus on sport rather than commercial interests – with an “overriding goal” being the well-being of horses.

Princess Haya easily defeated two other opponents when re-elected 4 years ago.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (17 July, 2014)

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

Princess Anne spoke on the need for strong communication and collaboration between equine charities and the human development sector during the seventh International Colloquium on Working Equids last week (2-4 July).

The Princess — who is president of both World Horse Welfare and Save the Children — said it was “vital” the link between equid and human welfare was established.

“There is real scope for animal welfare organisations to work together with human development organisations if we can work out how to get across to the more sceptical audience the value of the working animal to communities in the long-term,” she said.

“The human development sector has a bit to learn about the importance of working animals and that they cannot be replaced instantly by some convenient mechanised way of doing business.”

Meanwhile Princess Haya (pictured top) president of the FEI, spoke of the link with horse sport.

“The ethos of horse sport is the horse is an athlete and deserves respect and care.

“Every workhorse deserves the same. It is a mistake to think that working equines are less valuable to their owners than expensive elite horses are to theirs.

“I have no doubt that this exchange of ideas will help save working equids from needless suffering.”

Read H&H’s full report from the International Colloquium on Working Equids in 10 July issue of the magazine or H&H VIP members can read online.

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

“Bold steps” to help improve the welfare of horses in international endurance events — including athlete penalties, extended rest periods and increased accountability for riders, as well as a review of all 2,700 endurance officials — were revealed last week (29 April).

However, the proposed rules do not extend to national rides, such as Middle Eastern desert rides, and some would like to see them go further.

“I would like to see increased completion rates, reduced injuries and illness in the horse, and better course-design,” said Brian Sheahan, chair of the endurance committee at the FEI’s sports forum last week.

“To maintain integrity, we need a reduction in doping, improved compliance by athletes and trainers and rule enforcement by officials.”

Last year the Endurance Strategic Planning Group was set up to help clean up the sport and advise changes. There was a 70% increase in testing in endurance in 2013.

“It’s not just a matter of increasing testing, it’s important it now runs in parallel with education,” said chairman of the FEI veterinary committee John McEwen.

The main changes

Rules will define yellow card offences, rather than leaving this to the discretion of the ground jury.

Injured horses must be presented at a vet gate within 30min or a yellow card will be awarded and the horse is disqualified for 60 days.

If a horse is eliminated due to lameness, it will be stood down for 14 days. If there are two consecutive lamenesses, 21 days. A third means a 90-day suspension.

Each metabolic elimination — such as for dehydration — results in 10 penalty points. One that needs “immediate action” means 25 penalty points. A “catastrophic injury” (fracture) incurs 50. Accumulating 100 points leads to a two-month suspension.

Does it go far enough?

DR Tim Parkin from the University of Glasgow called for injuries at national events to be included in the Global Endurance Injuries Study, which he is running for the FEI.

“Adding in data from national events is only going to improve that situation,” he said.

World Horse Welfare’s Roly Owers said: “The need to make evidence-based decisions is so important for equine welfare.”

Fred Barrelet of the Swiss Federation said there was not enough accountability and the onus shouldn’t just fall on riders.

Others said that injuries might occur in training.

Juliette Mallison from the German Federation said the sanctions for catastrophic injury “aren’t sufficient”.

Belgian coach Pierre Arnould added: “Today’s rules are good and tomorrow’s will be better. But the problem is not the rules, it’s the application of the rules.”

This week H&H reports on all the news from the FEI general assembly in Switzerland (4-7 November) — where the decisions governing international horse sport are taken each year.

We have a full report on the hard-hitting plan to clean up abuses in endurance — and why some leading figures think it penalizes the vast majority of amateur riders in this discipline.

There is also news of a dramatic attempt to secure a third term for the FEI’s controversial president Princess Haya — and how Team GBR saw off attempts to reduce its dominance in para dressage.

Don’t miss the new issue of H&H — on sale today, Thursday, 14 November.

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

H&H has learnt that an attempt will be made at the FEI general assembly today (7 November) to ensure that its controversial president, Princess Haya, serves a third term.

Earlier this year proposals were put forward to change the FEI’s rules, enabling the president to serve a third four-year term. But the Princess said she would not seek to extend her presidency beyond November 2014, saying the current limit was “essential to ensure fresh thinking and avoid a sense of entitlement”.

According to the FEI, the third term proposal came from national federations and FEI regional group chairs — but the president of the Jamaican federation claims the Princess lobbied “aggressively” for it herself.

Some national federations — including the Dutch and Swiss bodies — had indicated they would oppose any attempt to enable Haya to serve a third term. They have alleged a “conflict of interest” between her role as the arbiter of clean sport and her marriage to Sheikh Mohammed, whose endurance and racing interests in the UAE and UK have been involved in recent doping scandals.

Haya’s supporters say she has brokered key sponsorship deals and been a cheerleader for equestrianism at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had previously considered ejecting horse sport from the Games.

Now it has emerged that a petition got up by the Taipei federation calling for Princess Haya to serve a third term will be presented to the final day of the general assembly in Montreux, Switzerland today. It is expected to be put to an extraordinary vote.

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

Princess Haya and former Met Police chief Lord Stevens are to investigate Sheikh Mohammed’s equine operations, following news that the illegal veterinary drugs seized at Stansted in May came in on a Dubai government plane.

The shipment, labelled as “horse tack”, was seized and destroyed by border forces on 3 May. On Sunday The Guardian reported that it was found on a Dubai Royal Air Wing Flight.

A spokesman for Princess Haya said her husband Sheikh Mohammed “was not even aware” of the seizure until he “read about it in media reports 2 weeks ago”.

He added that Sheikh Mohammed was “deeply troubled by this development” and “immediately asked Princess Haya to take action to ensure these kinds of management failures never happen again. Princess Haya has a proven track record in this area through her FEI Clean Sport initiative.”

Princess Haya says she will now conduct a “thorough investigation” into the seizure at the airport and a separate raid on 7 August on Moorley Farm East in Newmarket, in which 124 medical products were seized by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

The yard, run by leading endurance trainer and European champion Jaume Punti Dachs, is owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Management Ltd breeding operation.

The investigation will include drug use and acquisition, and the licence status of employees within the Sheikh’s operation, particularly “vets and farriers”.

Princess Haya met with Lord Stevens — who headed FEI Clean Sport commission and who is to oversee this inquiry — on Tuesday (1 October).

“We will look into events surrounding the seizures at Stansted and Moorley Farm, including the chain of custody for the medications in question and their intended purpose,” he said.

“We will also look beyond those specific events for a wide-ranging assessment of veterinary procedures and practices to determine whether they are in support of horse welfare and in keeping with all applicable laws and regulations.

“Sheikh Mohammed is adamant that any evidence of violations of law or regulation in any jurisdiction should be shared with the appropriate authorities. Our primary focus is on preventing any future systemic failures. We will identify best practices and develop protocols and procedures to streamline and improve management and operations.”

He added that following the meeting he has “begun assembling a team of experts” but that as yet there is no time frame on the project.

“We have agreed that we will not wait until the inquiry is finished to suggest any improvements that should be implemented more quickly,” he added.

For the full story on what Princess Haya’s directive includes and what the end of her tenure as president means for the FEI and sponsorship see this week’s issue of H&H — out today Thursday, 3 October.

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

H&H has learnt that there are moves to stop Princess Haya from standing for a third term as president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

The FEI’s attempts to reduce doping offences in endurance are undermined by a “conflict of interest” in the “highest appointment of the FEI”, according to Charles Trolliet, head of the Swiss Equestrian Federation.

Princess Haya is the junior wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai. More than 20 positive doping tests since 2005 have involved horses trained in stables owned by the Maktoum family.

Sheikh Mohammed himself was given a six-month endurance ban after a positive steroids test in 2009.

Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed’s Moulton Paddocks racing stables in Newmarket were caught up in a doping scandal when several horses tested positive for banned anabolic steroids.

Mr Trolliet told H&H that the Swiss and Dutch federations will now oppose changes to the FEI Statutes that would allow Princess Haya to stand for another four-years when her second term ends in 2014.

The proposal is due to be discussed at the FEI General Assembly in Montreux, Switzerland, in November.

Mr Trolliet’s announcement follows the growing disquiet and controversy over the FEI’s endurance strategic planning group, which was established to tackle high incidences of doping and injuries in Middle Eastern endurance.

He is upset that, at some point, the “clean-up” operation appears to have morphed into something else.

“The purpose seems to be more of a strategy to develop the sport, rather than solve the problems we described,” he told H&H.

He is also unhappy that members of the group are “not neutral” and too close to FEI hierarchy.

They include Saeed Al Tayer, who is closely involved with Sheikh Mohammed’s racing as well as endurance operations. The other members are Brian Sheehan, a vet and chair of the FEI endurance committee; Joe Mattingly, chair of the US endurance high-performance committee, and French vet Jean-Luis Leclerc.

A version of this story appeared in Horse & Hound 19 September 2013

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

Princess Haya looks set to stand for a third term as president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), following proposals to change the rules to allow this.

FEI statutes currently limit presidents to two four-year terms.

But an FEI spokesman told H&H that regional group chairs had submitted “a formal unanimous request that the FEI statutes be modified so that the term of the president may include one additional four-year term”.

The proposal needs to be approved by the FEI general assembly in November.

Princess Haya was elected in 2006. One of her first acts in office was to limit the president to two consecutive terms.

Since then she has brokered a number of high-value sponsorship packages for the FEI, including a nine-figure deal with watchmaker Longines (news, 4 January) and £13.4m from the Saudi Equestrian Fund to shore up the Nations Cup series (news, 24 January).

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

The secretary-general and chief executive of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Alex McLin has resigned after three years in the post.

He has been replaced by Belgian secretary-general Ingmar De Vos, who also leads the European Equestrian Federation.

FEI President HRH Princess Haya said: “I am truly indebted to Alex for his hard work and dedication over the last three years.

“He brought the FEI into the modern era and made it much more professional.”

In a resignation letter delivered to Princess Haya on 1 April, McLin said he was thankful to have served in her first term as President.

“I have enjoyed being an agent of change within an organisation that we together sought to modernise and take to a new level,” he wrote.

“I have also enjoyed tackling the complex issues facing the FEI and attempting to find ways to improve its approach, its service to the sport and its stakeholders,” he added.

Mr De Vos has experience of organising international jumping competitions and was chef de mission for the Belgian equestrian team at all recent World Championships and Olympic Games.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Ingmar’s calibre join the FEI team,” Princess Haya said.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 April, 2011)

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

Former FEI presidential candidate Henk Rottinghuis has resigned as a member of the FEI’s audit and compliance committee.

The former dressage rider, 53, headed the Dutch equestrian federation from 1999 to 2004.

He stood against the president of the international equestrian body, Princess Haya, at the FEI general assembly in Taipei.

Explaining his decision on Tuesday, he said: “I don’t think it is appropriate for me to remain as a member of this committee following my recent campaign for the presidency.

“I hope the committee succeeds in finding an independent candidate who can replace me in fulfilling this important function overseeing the governance of the FEI.”

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

In Copenhagen last year I wrote that “battle lines were drawn” as FEI members prepared to cast their votes on reintroducing bute into horse sport.

This year I can’t think of a phrase more apt, because this afternoon we have heard from the three candidates for tomorrow’s presidential election.

Who will lead horse sport into the next decade, I wonder? Will it be Princess Haya, who has this afternoon been accused of ruling with an iron bar, not taking anyone’s opinions into account and not aligning herself to Europe?

Will it be Henk Rottinghuis, who today spoke of the “split” within the governing body of horse sport, of established federations that feel excluded, others that feel unable to speak out and others not given enough representation.

Henk also criticised the “unsustainable” spending the FEI has been doing of late thanks to “generous funding” — ie from the princess .

Or will it be Sven Holmberg, the current vice president who came in for some serious stick from Akaash Maharaj, CEO of the Canadian Equestrian Federation, for publicly opposing the president (Princess Haya) he was elected to serve.

Sven promises to listen to the grassroots in decision making and has learnt from his 30-odd years in the organisation of international sport.

One thing that sits very obviously and openly in Princess Haya’s favour — thanks to a question posed by Andrew Finding, head of the British Equestrian Federation — is the fact that she sits on the International Olympic Committee (IOC). And while she does so, horse sport is guaranteed its place in the Olympics.

Haya also promises to talk directly to governments about relaxing transportation and quarantine regulations, issues she believes are holding the development of horse sport back. How can Henk or Sven compete with that?

Perhaps by emphasising how afraid bureau members and staff have been to voice their own opinions in the past two years — as Sven told the delegates today.

Though the session was thrown open for questions from the floor, few contentious issues arose — aside from the opinion of Akaash Maharaj, that Sven Holmberg and second vice president Chris Hodson have committed the sin of campaigning against their president.

“In my opinion, Henk Rottinghuis did the honourable thing and resigned from the audit committee before announcing his intention to stand for presidency,” he told me.

“Under the rules of vice presidency [Sven Holmberg and Chris Hodson] are constitutionally aligned to aid the president. Working against her can only damage the FEI and the bureau.”

This, from a man who stood up yesterday and told the bureau what he thought of the way the whole NSAIDs saga was handled.

Akaash has been in office for three years, and prior to that he worked on the Arab/Israeli peace process — which he said is “not all that different” to working in horse sport.

“The problem is the FEI has had no practice of democracy, they’re afraid of it and people see elections as disruptive,” he said, adding: “Whoever emerges tomorrow will lead a stronger federation.”

Indeed.

The vote takes place just before lunch tomorrow — so approximately noon in Taipei (4am GMT). There will be two rounds. If no candidate secures more than two-thirds of the vote, the person with the least number of votes will be dropped from the race, and the last two will go head to head.

Rather exciting!

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

Princess Haya will learn next week if she is to serve a further four years as president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Two candidates stand against her — Henk Rottinghuis of the Netherlands and Sven Holmberg from Sweden are both bidding to run the governing body of horsesport.

The election will take place during the FEI general assembly in Taipei next Friday (5 November).

A controversial figure during her four-year first term as president, 36-year-old Princess Haya can only serve one more term under current FEI rules.

If re-elected, the Princess has promised to offer athletes more representation and address transportation and quarantine challenges faced by travelling horses.

Former dressage rider Henk Rottinghuis, 53, headed the Dutch equestrian federation from 1999 to 2004.

He says he will “unite the FEI and put the sport and its development at the top of the agenda”.

Sven Holmberg, 65, is the current FEI vice president and chairman of the FEI jumping committee.

He strongly and publicly opposed the (now abandoned) proposal to allow again the use of bute and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in competition — the topic of strong debate at last year’s general assembly.

If elected, Mr Holmberg promises “to make the democratic processes more effective” and to place horse welfare “at the forefront” of the FEI’s work.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (28 October, ’10)

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

An apparent lack of confidence in Princess Haya among European federations has led two senior figures to oppose her bid for re-election as president of the FEI, horse sport’s international governing body.

FEI first vice-president Sven Holmberg and Henk Rottinghuis, vice-chairman of the Dutch federation, will stand against the Princess at the General Assembly in November — the first time a challenge has been made to a sitting president.

Mr Holmberg said: “I was asked to stand after important matters were not presented to the [last] General Assembly according to the rules.”

The Swede chairs the FEI’s showjumping committee.

He threatened to resign after rules that would allow bute in competition were approved at the General Assembly.

High-flying businessman Mr Rottinghuis restructured the Dutch federation in 2001 and sits on the FEI audit and compliance committee.

Stressing the need for “transparent” governance, he said: “Our sport should be inclusive for all and remain relevant in a modern world in which the balance of power is shifting to new continents.”

Princess Haya was elected in 2006, succeeding The Infanta Dona Pilar, who served for 12 years. Before that, Prince Philip served for 22 years and the Princess Royal for eight.

Rules now limit presidents to two four-year terms.

Asked about the election Princess Haya told H&H: “An election that focuses on ways to strengthen, improve and unify our federation is good for the FEI and our sport.”

In 2007, revised FEI statutes made the president its “ultimate head”.

Princess Haya drew criticism for intervening over the Beijing Olympic cross-country course and disbanding the FEI dressage committee soon after.

Although she drove through key clean sport measures, the late proposals to allow non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in competition were criticised as undermining the campaign.

The row partly prompted the formation of the European Equestrian Federation, whose 40 members opposed NSAIDs.

And the Princess was key in decisions that led to Britain being relegated from the Nations Cup super league.

The Princess must win a two-thirds majority of 133 member federation votes.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (13 May, ’10)

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

There’s an interesting undercurrent at the FEI general assembly, taking place this week in Copenhagen. People are expecting this to be a volatile meeting, and seem to be watching and waiting for the fireworks.

There were quiet fireworks yesterday — when the proposed changes to statutes and restructuring process was voted down by just one vote. But everyone was fairly polite afterwards “we agreed with the proposals, but not the way it was done”.

Reading between the lines — and reading the comments on the proposals issued in my welcome pack — this may actually have been a vote more against FEI president Princess Haya’s rather overpowering leadership style.

No-one disputes that the many changes she has made to the FEI have been anything but positive for a sporting federation that needed a shake-up — but she does seem to rule with a strong hand.

Rumours abound that various “abrupt departures” from the FEI have resulted from differences of opinion with the president. And anonymous blogs talk about the Princess surrounding herself with “yes men”.

This afternoon’s session on clean sport will be an interesting one. New plans will be unveiled in a two-hour session ahead of a debate, and the FEI hopes, approval, during the general assembly tomorrow.

Apparently some countries are pushing for a certain level of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs – such as bute) to be allowed on the medication list.

Some countries, such as Switzerland, have had a zero tolerance policy towards drugs for 20 years. Others, such as America, allow low levels of some substances in all competition horses bar racehorses. Maybe that’s where the fireworks will come.

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

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum makes his return to international riding on Wednesday (14 October) in the test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.

The Sheik was banned from competition for six months after being found guilty of doping his horse Tahhan at the CEI 2* 120km in Sakhir, Bahrain, on 10 January and the CEI 2* 120km in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on 28 February.

Traces of banned substances Guanabenz and Hydroxy-Stanozolol were found in the horse’s system.

His six-month suspension ended on 3 October and a spokesman for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) confirmed that the Sheik is now “free to ride in international competition”.

Riders from the US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Romania and Spain will compete in the Kentucky Cup Endurance in preparation for next year’s Endurance World Championship at the 2010 Games.

The team from the UAE will be led by Sheikh Mohammed and his son Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, will also ride.

Kentucky Cup Endurance will feature both a 75-mile (120 km) race and a 100-mile (160 km) race comprising a series of loops through the Kentucky Horse Park and surrounding properties.

A report of the Kentucky Cup will be included in H&H’s endurance round-up in the issue on sale 5th November.

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

The International Federation of Equestrian Sport (FEI) has launched a Year of Youth to focus on young people in equestrian sport and find out their opinions.

Running until next August, the year-long celebration will culminate in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

The FEI has launched a website where it hopes young people will congregate and share their opinions.

FEI President Princess Haya, said: “Our goal for the Year of Youth is to ensure we hear the opinions of the competitors, grooms, fans, volunteers and support teams of all those aged 12 to 21 involved in equestrian sport in order to help us best shape and drive the sport in the future.”

The website, which the FEI is claiming will be unlike any other site online, will be a “hub for equestrians to share, learn and grow together.”

The site is at www.feiyearofyouth.org

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

Sheikh Mohammed has been banned from taking part in International Equestrian Federation (FEI) endurance events for six months after being found guilty of doping by the FEI tribunal.

His trainer Abdullah bin Huzaim has also been banned for a year.

Sheikh Mohammed, who is married to FEI president Princess Haya, rode Tahhan in a CEI 2* 120km in Sakhir, Bahrain on 10 January and in a CEI 2* 120km in Dubai on 28 February.

Samples taken on both occasions proved positive for a hypertension drug, Guanabenz, and on one for the steroid 16-b Hydroxy-Stanozolol.

The sheikh, who rides for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) did not ask for a second, or “B”, test to be made on either samples.

In his submission to the disciplinary committee the sheik said he has an interest in some 700 endurance horses and cannot be involved in the medication protocol of each.

He was presented with the horse on both occasions only minutes before the race started and had been assured everything was in order.

In a statement his trainer Abdullah bin Huzaim admitted administering the drugs to the horse without the sheikh’s knowledge.

But under FEI rules the rider is always responsible for drugs infringements and the tribunal issued a statement saying “it is the responsibility of competitors to inform themselves of all substances administered to [their] horses”.

The trainer was also found to be responsible for the breach.

The FEI tribunal issued its decision on 31 July and said it took into account how the sheikh effectively banned himself from competition in April, before he was aware of the FEI investigation, after his own tests on the horse showed drug traces.

The sheikh’s ban runs for six months until 3 October and he was fined CHF 3,000 (£1,666) with CHF1,500 (£833) costs.

On 22 July another UAE endurance rider, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, was suspended from competition for six months and his horse, Bebabeloula, for 12 months.

The horse tested positive for the painkiller Butorphanol and sedative Hydroxyxylazine at a CEI 3* 120km at Al Wathba in the UAE on 13 December 2008.

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

Newmarket’s new equine hospital was officially opened yesterday (Wednesday 13 May) by Princess Haya of Jordan.

The Princess, who is the president of the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) and owner of last year’s Derby winner New Approach, toured the 15-acre site in Newmarket.

She also received a behind-the-scenes tour of the surgery suite which will be officially known as the HRH Princess Haya of Jordan Surgery Suite.

Newmarket Equine Hospital took in its first patients last September, and since then more than 500 surgeries have already been performed. More than 80 stables are available for in-patients.

The hospital contains advanced veterinary equipment including nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a dynamic respiratory endoscope.

The design of the main hospital building is an asymmetric cross with four wings – reception and offices, laboratory, diagnostics and theatres. There is a separate intensive care unit and an expanded diagnostic unit.

A floodlit 20x40m manege, hard and soft lunging areas and 2 trot-up runways have been built for examining lameness. There are also 2 x-ray suites as well as orthopaedic and soft tissue suites.

David Ellis, senior partner of the hospital said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Princess Haya to Newmarket Equine Hospital and are thrilled that Her Royal Highness agreed to officially open the new facility of which we are immensely proud and will enable us to provide an even better service for all our clients.”

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

Sheikh Mohammed has demanded to know why the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) — an organisation headed by his wife, Princess Haya — delayed notifying him of a positive dope test on his horse, Tahhan.

On 6 April, Sheikh Mohammed suspended himself from competition and began an internal investigation after his own team discovered traces of two potentially performance-enhancing drugs in Tahhan. He competed the horse in CEI2* 120km endurance races in Bahrain and Dubai in January and February this year.

But has emerged that Tahhan was also tested by the FEI during the rides. The horse’s positive results were passed to the FEI legal team on 19 March — nearly three weeks before Sheikh Mohammed’s well-publicised statement that it was he who had volunteered the results.

A spokesman for the Sheikh said: “HH Sheikh Mohammed notified the FEI on 3 April 2009.

“The FEI notification to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation was on 6 April, 2009. HH Sheikh Mohammed received no communication from the FEI or from any other party, prior to 6 April.

“As a result of this chronological issue being raised by the media, Sheikh Mohammed’s legal team has written to the FEI requesting clarification of why earlier notification was not made to the UAE federation, and the procedure surrounding the use of the FEI website for cases of this nature.”

The progress of doping investigations are published in a “case-status stable” on its website, www.fei.org

An FEI spokesman said: “We introduced the table so the facts of all cases under investigation could be seen.”

Tahhan is one of nine UAE endurance horses under investigation for positive dope tests — to read more, see today’s issue of Horse & Hound (14 May).

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

A horse belonging to and ridden by Sheikh Mohammed has tested positive to banned substances during competition.

The horse — Tahhan — was tested last week during routine post-competition checks by Sheikh Mohammed’s personal staff in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Two banned substances — Guanabenz and 16b Hydroxy-Stanozol — were found by his team after an international and national endurance competitions in the UAE.

A statement issued last night on behalf HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the ruler of Dubai had offered the “highest level of cooperation to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI)”.

The statement continued: “His highness immediately requested his representative contact the FEI and advise them of this information in order that they may correct the placings as Sheikh Mohammed considers his results null and void.”

While Sheikh Mohammed stressed he was “completely unaware and utterly condemning of the administration of these substances”, the news is likely to have caused embarrassment in the royal household.

His second wife, Princess Haya, is president of the FEI, an organisation which has been very publicly been trying to clamp down on doping in horse sport.

Late last night, following the release of a statement by her husband, Princess Haya issued her own line.

“Princess Haya has recommended that the role of president in this instance, and all matters relating to this subject, be deferred to Mr Chris Hodson, second vice-president of the FEI, who is himself a lawyer.

“Additionally, although endurance is not an Olympic discipline, but in view of her position as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Princess Haya immediately notified the IOC Ethics Commission of her decision to defer the presidency of the FEI in this matter.”

Sheikh Mohammed has started his own internal investigation into the dopings, and imposed a competition ban on himself — which has not yet been requested by the FEI.

He has also volunteered his acceptance that he is legally the “person responsible” for the horses.

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

The rescue of an injured horse rider was delayed when an air ambulance was ordered off the property of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.

The Sheikh, who has an estimated fortune of £9billion and is married to International Equestrian Federation (FEI) president Princess Haya of Jordan, keeps tight security at his £75million Longcross House Estate in Surrey for the protection of his family.

The air ambulance crew had landed and were about the cut through the 6ft security fencing to reach the injured rider on the neighbouring Chobham Common, when they were stopped by the Sheikh’s security guards.

According to the Mail on Sunday, the crew were told they had to take off and reland somewhere else — resulting in a 20-minute delay in reaching the unconscious woman, who had fallen off and landed on her head.

The woman was already being attended to by paramedics on the ground before being airlifted to hospital. She has since been discharged.

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

Read Princess Haya’s letter to the FEI dressage committee, which this letter is in response to.

[Letter dated 4 November 2008]

Your Royal Highness:

With reference to your letter dated October 31st 2008 we would like to submit our comments, by making reference to the points raised as follows.

1.

Although we still do not understand the negative implication, if not actual discrimination at times, for being a judge, D.C. decided to comply with your wishes and reduce the number of judges on the committee and therefore decided to suggest Mrs. Bobby Bobadilla (non judge) instead of Mrs Maribel Alonso de Quinzanos who incidentally is an FEI judge.

The reference made in your letter to “personal issues” was not well received from D.C members on the grounds that, on the contrary, they retain the highest appreciation of Mrs De Quinzanos as a person and as a judge however the committee did not believe that her strengths lay in working on a committee.

This is so true that at the D.C. meeting in Antwerp she was recommended for promotion to “Official judge” (see the D.C. minutes).

2 and 3.

Following a letter dated April 27 2007, again from Margit Otto Crepin for the IDRC, as to the composition of the jury for H.K. and a subsequent letter from Mr. De Jong for the Dutch Federation, you gave us, during the D.C. meeting in April 2008 in Interlaken, some suggestions in this respect, which were all examined and debated in great detail and seriousness.

We came to the conclusion that it was not legitimate, under present FEI Statutes and regulations, to deliberate or even make recommendations against FEI rules and specifically art. 437 which, just as a reminder, states “ At Olympic Games and Senior Championships at G.P. level, the FEI Dressage Committee will appoint a Ground Jury consisting of seven members . The President of Ground Jury will judge all classes with the rest of the panel rotating”.

Despite this lack of legitimacy, it was anyway decided, in order to be proactive towards your suggestion, that any decision on such a matter be deferred to the final deliberation of the FEI Bureau.

Meanwhile the legal dept of FEI had investigated as to any possible conflict of interest of the HK jury members coming to the conclusion that no such conflicts existed for all of them.

Furthermore, in order to comply with the request of FEI Bureau for supporting evidence as to the competence of the appointed judges, D.C. fully supported the HQ initiative to request an independent statistical research (Mr. D. Strickland) on the performance and quality standard of judges in general and in particular for all Official judges, including those that officiated in H.K..

The result of such extensive statistical work is available, and can be requested at any time, in FEI HQ and shows that almost all official judges have a very high so called “quality factor” including the panel of judges for H.K.

Same evidence, from the same source, exists for the performances of such judges in H.K.

The letter of Mr. De Jong was addressed to the Dressage Dept. and Dressage Manager was instructed to give a due reply to such a letter reporting nothing more than the above.

5.

We might have missed some steps under development, but we could not find any rule which prevents the Chairman of D.C. to act as a Technical Delegate, whereas such a rule was introduced for the case of a judge.

The Dutch Federation states in its letter: “the position of FEI TD is a function that can be fulfilled by a member of D.C. like Mariette Withages is doing for the Olympic Games in H.K.”

Furthermore, we do not understand how the jury of the Athens Olympics is relevant in this context, but may be worth mentioning, that such a Jury was considered as the highest technical level or at least one of the best ever.

6, 7 and 8.

No dressage committee meeting was called or held in H.K. Some members were not even present there! The matters referred to in your letter do not relate to Dc functions which are quite different from TD functions

You will recall that the 2nd Vice President and member of the executive board made a report at the Olympic Games and stated that the Judging was of the high standard expected at such an event.

We would like to point out that we strongly believe that FEI dressage judges do not deserve comments such as “fear for their displeasure through their judges’ role”.

On the contrary D.C. is proud of the professional and ethical attitude shown by all judges at all occasions

We stated in our previous letter that we really thought, or at least hoped, that some misinterpretations had occurred with journalists as to what reported by them in relation to “popularity of dressage abnormally low” (Horse and Hound) or to the fact that the selection of judges for championships be made within a restricted circle of friends (EPERON, translation from French).

Just in order to avoid speculations like the latter and use the full range of O judges , previous members of D.C. had decided, long time ago, to apply an unwritten rule whereby all Official judges had to be employed on a rotational basis and therefore no judge was to officiate in more than one edition of O.G.

Under new FEI Statutes and regulations the appointment of officials for O.G and Championship is not any longer under the responsibility of D.C, which acts only as a consulting body and as such making recommendations to FEI H.Q, who can even decide to ignore their suggestions completely.

It is then up to FEI H.Q, and not to DC, to decide to change the method of selection of judges for such championships

D.C members are convinced that acting according to the FEI Statutes and Regulations will, in the long range, prove their dedication to our sport and their integrity despite the unfounded accusations that have been made in various newspapers and magazines.

We intended to remain within FEI boundaries when we referred our comments to the Bureau of FEI.

We trust that members of Bureau will appreciate our full respect and observance of FEI rules.

Yours

Mariette Withages Chairman of Dressage Committee

and on behalf of DC members

Read the dressage committee’s opening letter to Princess Haya.

Read the dressage committee’s letter of response to Princess Haya.

Your Royal Highness,

The members of the Dressage Committee have been reading the articles related to your interviews in international press with great concern.

The Dressage Committee members cannot believe that these were the words of the President of our International Equestrian Federation, who would always back up her sport and disciplines and therefore they still believe that some misinterpretation by the journalists has occurred.

In one of the interviews you expressed your concern about the set up and presentation of Dressage, the popularity of which is abnormally low as well as some complaints about the judging and the making of panels and committees.

Please allow us to comment on what has been published.

If Polo had to replace one of the present equestrian disciplines, this would imply a large financial burden to the IOC. In fact a Polo team consists of 4 riders with each 5 horses, this is 20 horses per team. 10 teams would mean 200 horses which certainly would not cover the requested universality.

To our knowledge and after IOC official statements in this respect, the IOC has assured their intention of not taking equestrian sport out of the Olympic Games 2012 and certainly the Dressage Committee is as strongly engaged as much as the other FEI disciplines and FEI officials to maintain and even improve the image of our Sport for the future.

We would like to point out that Dressage is no doubt developing worldwide. More and more Countries are having dressage on their programs and organize competitions and championships.

Since the Olympic Games in Sydney, the Freestyle to Music has attracted even more public than the individual final in jumping. FEI World Cup Dressage Finals are attended by large crowds. WEG in Aachen 2006 had 130.000 spectators!

All European Championships have been organized with great success. The last edition in Italy, considered a “developing” country in this respect, had 14.000 spectators! Several important CDI’s are part of social life and an important part of the image of main cities in the world, like Stuttgart, Amsterdam, s’Hertogenbosch, Aachen and London etc.

The public in Hong Kong may have been different to other OG as, Sydney or Atlanta, but it was very comparable to Seoul. This is because of equestrian sport and especially dressage not being a well known sport in such countries.

We would like to bring to your attention that the level of our “O” judges is of high quality as further proved by the ongoing statistical research committed by FEI Dressage Department/HQ in this respect, including the 2008 Olympic Games, the results of which are available at FEI. Nevertheless, we all aim for a new ongoing education system, which will be strictly followed by all judges under “modernized” new criteria set up under the directives and strict control of FEI Headquarters.

All members of the Dressage Committee have a lot of experience in equestrian sports and especially in their own discipline. We are all hardworking and committed volunteers who respect the rules.

Therefore, we feel not to deserve such an incorrect statement relating to the choice of judges for Championships and Olympic Games “made by Dressage Committee within a selected circle of close friends”.

In fact all O-judges have been appointed on a rotational basis. Furthermore, the appointment of officials for Championships are now decided by the Dressage Department/HQ based on recommendations of Dressage Committee members as well as that of other stakeholders in accordance with present statutes and regulations.

In fact, the Dressage Committee is presently acting mainly as a “consulting entity” to the Dressage Department/HQ, concentrating mainly on technical matters such as revising Dressage Rules, which anyway become effective only after approval of all Federations through the General Assembly, or producing new tests for dressage competitions, which have been devised almost entirely upon proposals made by representatives of riders, trainers and judges.

Therefore we cannot imagine what kind of negative impact we, the Dressage Committee, may have on the development of our discipline when all key decision are under FEI Head Quarter control, whereas only technical matters are being recommended by the Dressage Committee, mostly after preliminary consultations as above and subject anyway to the final approval of National Federations or HQ as applicable.

We respectfully ask Your Royal Highness to clarify any misunderstandings or misinterpretations that may have been made by the journalists as soon as possible and look forward to your reply.

Respectfully Yours

members of the Dressage Committee

Mariette Withages-Dieltjens, Vincenzo Truppa, Monica Theodorescu,

Dieter Schuele, Dolores Fernandez de Bobadilla, Minako Furuoka

cc: FEI Bureau

Alex McLin, Secretary General

David Holmes, Executive Director Sports

Eva Salomon, Dressage Director

Read Princess Haya’s letter of response

The FEI executive board has issued a statement requesting the immediate resignation of the entire FEI dressage committee.

The request for the committee’s resignation follows “a series of issues indicating the current committee’s lack of flexibility on certain key matters”, according to the FEI.

The executive board claims that “the committee has been seen to work in isolation, not fully representing the interests of the dressage community as a whole”.

The FEI plans to put in place an interim solution to ensure the sound management of the sport while it reviews the strategic direction of the sport.

Read the FEI dressage committee’s letter to Princess Haya.

Read Princess Haya’s letter of response to the committee.

Discuss this in the H&H forum

Read industry reaction to this decision in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound, on sale 6 November, ’08

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

THE president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has warned that the status of equestrian sports within the Olympic movement is precarious.

Princess Haya told H&H that despite the undoubtedly great sport and brilliant organisation of Hong Kong, there is no guarantee that horse sports can survive in the Olympics beyond 2012 — or even get that far — and could follow sports such as cricket and polo out of the Olympic door.

“The FEI has a huge fight to even get to 2012,” explained Princess Haya, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the FEI’s first elected president.

“The IOC have heard from our stakeholders and wrote to us about the set-up and presentation of dressage.

“The popularity of dressage is abnormally low and there are complaints about judging and the make up of judging panels and committees,” she said. “Anyone who thinks equestrian sports are secure for London is mistaken.”

“The IOC has very reasonable and legitimate concerns about eventing safety and the way the dressage committee is working.

“It could also be the end of show jumping as an Olympic sport, too, as they are unlikely to leave it on its own.”

The controversy at the Olympics last week, when four show jumping riders were suspended following positive dope tests on their horses, will not have helped boost the sport’s image.

Alluding to the eventing, Princess Haya said Mark Todd’s comeback, the spirit shown by Mary King, the proliferation of new names and Mike Etherington-Smith’s “super” course, were high points of the competition.

“The amazing standard of dressage on the first day was great for the sport. And we have roped in a whole new audience from outside.

“But walking away and saying ‘thank God nobody died,’ isn’t good enough.”

The princess also urged the British equestrian community to back Greenwich as the venue for the equestrian competition at the London 2012 Games — and to be more welcoming.

“I don’t think any city has looked forward to a Games more than London. Everyone knows the sport is going to get the best possible platform. We [the FEI] see Greenwich as an equestrian Games,” she said. “But the message we are hearing all over the world is that Britain doesn’t want it, and the discord is sad to see.”

Read this interview in full in the current issue of Horse & Hound

Do you believe that the future of Olympic equestrianism is under threat? Vote now in our online poll (left)

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

Cross-country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith has hit out at FEI “interference” after being forced to comply with a request from FEI president Princess Haya to make a last-minute fence change to the Olympic course.

Neither officials nor team managers had asked for any alterations to the course, but he claims the president was asked to make the request by another person.

Admitting to being “furious”, he said: “It’s not for her to intervene, although I know she was put up to it. This sort of thing just undermines officials.”

During a drive with FEI committee members around the course on the afternoon before cross-country, the Princess requested decorative boulders be removed from under the Stone Garden at Fence 18 in case a horse was injured.

Mike’s wife, Sue, had to rush off to a local nursery and conjure up 14 fir trees instead.

Mike, who will design the cross-country at the 2010 World Games, said that the whole issue, which flew across websites all over the world, had been over-dramatised.

“We need to move forward from this,” he said. “Through British Eventing [where he is director of sport], I will, of course, continue to make our research on cross-country safety available to the FEI and to help in any way I can.”

Stay in touch with all the news from Hong Kong on Horseandhound.co.uk and in H&H’s special Olympic eventing issue, on sale FRIDAY 15 August, ’08

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

The royal family of Dubai set a unique record last weekend as eight of its members competed in the same endurance ride.

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is passionate about endurance, a sport he competes in alongside his family.

At Euston Park on Sunday, 13 July at an international 80km endurance ride, Sheikh Mohammed competed alongside three of his sons, Sheikh Hamdan, Ahmed and Mayed, and four of his daughters, Sheikha Latifa, Maryam, Futeim and Sheikha.

The ride was won by Sheikha Latifa with her sister Futeim a close second.

• Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, Princess Haya, announced in The Sunday Times on 13 July that she intends to return to the Olympic show jumping ring in London 2012, riding for the country of her birth, Jordan.This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (17 July, ’08)

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

HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan gave birth to a baby girl on 2 December.

Princess Haya, 33, is president of the International Equestrian Federation and has competed at the Sydney Olympics in show jumping.

She is married to HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of UAE, and ruler of Dubai.

Her baby was born on the UAE National Day, and both mother and daughter are doing well.

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

The governing body of international horse sport is reeling at the news that Michael Stone had resigned as secretary general of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Mr Stone’s departure, over “irreconcilable differences in the future direction of the FEI”, was announced on Friday, 24 August. He is the third FEI secretary general to resign suddenly in three years.

FEI bureau member and secretary general of the German Equestrian Federation Dr Hanfried Haring told H&H the resignation was a “total surprise”.

“I regret it very much because we have worked with Michael for many years — before the FEI, when he was at Equestrian Federation of Ireland [EFI]. From our perspective, he did such a good job,” said Dr Haring.

“It is a concern that there have been three secretary generals in two years — for the ongoing work of the FEI, for the staff who must feel uncomfortable and for the image of the FEI as well.”

In May 2005, then secretary general Bo Helander resigned, unhappy that the FEI’s modernisation process was being “rushed”. What should take two years, he said, was being rushed through in nine months. He, like Michael Stone, resigned after 10 years with the FEI.

In September 2005, former management consultant Jean-Claude Falciola was appointed secretary general. But Falciola departed suddenly in April 2006, succeeded a month later by former FEI sports director Michael Stone, who stepped in as acting secretary general. In May, it emerged that Bo Helander was given a “substantial” payout when he left his role “voluntarily”.

In August 2006, Michael Stone took over permanently as secretary general.

At the time, he told H&H: “I feel honoured to be selected, at a time when the FEI is clearly striving to change its tempo and direction.”

Princess Haya, who was elected president on 1 May 2006, in turn said she was “delighted” with Michael’s permanent appointment. She later admitted in her 2006 annual report that the FEI had been through “turbulent times” with the changes at top level.

A replacement secretary general is not being sought at present, with the day-to-day management of the FEI being led by deputy secretary general Alex Mc Lin, together with Princess Haya.

Mr Mc Lin said there was “no common thread” between the departure of each of the three secretary generals.

H&H was unable to contact Michael Stone for comment.

Read this story in full in Horse & Hound (30 August, ’07)

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

The global profile of equestrianism is set for a boost this summer when Princess Haya becomes a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

A former Olympic show jumper, Princess Haya has been president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) since 2006. She is one of four new IOC members — two of them women — bringing the total number of people on the IOC to 115.

Her appointment will be rubber stamped at the IOC’s annual meeting in Guatemala City in July.

This news report was first published in Horse & Hound (10 May, ’07)

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

FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein has praised the work of the ILPH. On a recent visit to ILPH’s Hall Farm in Norfolk (24 February), the Princess watched presentations about the charity’s work in both the UK and abroad and was introduced to some of the horses currently in rehabilitation.

The FEI and the ILPH have a longstanding relationship and the Princess was interested to find out more about the charity. “We have a long association with the FEI, currently sitting on its welfare sub-committee, and look forward to developing our relationship further,” explained John Smales, ILPH Chief Executive.

HRH Princess Haya said: “The ILPH has a long relationship with the FEI and it was because of this that I made the time to come here and find out more and further concrete the partnership.

“It has been very interesting to see at first hand the work they do and tour the wonderful facilities.”

The ILPH is the largest rehomer of horses in the UK and has nearly 1800 horses on its loan scheme. The UK Welfare Hotline (tel: 0870 871 1927) takes around 30,000 calls a year leading to around 1,500 separate investigations by our 16 field officers.

In the developing world the ILPH works with communities where welfare needs are greatest, producing individually tailored programmes to develop horse care skills. Meanwhile the ILPH also leads campaigns to improve horse welfare. Key campaigns include preventing the live export of horses and ponies from the UK for meat and banning the long-distance transport of live horses for slaughter in Europe.

During her stay in Britain, Princess Haya also attended the annual awards dinner of the Event Riders Association and visited Somerby Equestrian Centre in Leicestershire to see the Pony Club’s centre membership scheme in practice.

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