William Fox-Pitt GBR riding Chilli Morning, during the Dressage phase of the Eventing Competition at the Olympic Equestrian Eyestrain Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 8th August 2016
William Fox-Pitt has joined the FEI athletes’ committee as the eventing rider representative.
The six-time Burghley winner was elected via an online vote and joins fellow Brit, reiner Francesca Sternberg on the panel.
William said he is “looking forward to giving a significant rider input”.
Irishman Cian O’Connor has been elected showjumping representative and thanked his peers for voting for him.
“I look forward to representing the riders and to further promote and develop the sport of showjumping globally,” he said.
The committee members serve for four years and also sit on the technical committees for each of their respective disciplines.
Joining the British and Irish athletes on the panel are Spanish dressage rider Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, German para dressage rider Angelika Trabert, vaulter Kristina Boe, who is also from Germany, and Saudi Arabian endurance rider Tarek Taher.
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The voting for the driving representative ended on a tie between Hungary’s Vilmos Jámbor and Germany’s Mareike Harm. A second round of online voting will take place from 1-10 October, with the result revealed on 12 October.
A total of 52 equestrians from 26 countries stood for election.
The FEI has established 14 ingredients that its says make up good horsemanship
“The athletes’ viewpoint is central to the global decision making process”, said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez.
“This is a committee made up of athletes and voted for by athletes. The calibre and experience of the newly elected athletes committee is impressive and will ensure that the global athletes’ community has its say and actively contributes to the development of equestrian sport.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing athletes’ committee members for their tremendous work and support these past four years.”
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
