Denmark Federation President Ulf Helgstrand Declares for FEI Chief
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Aug. 21, 2014
Ulf Helgstrand, president of the Danish Equestrian Federation, on Thursday declared he will run for election as president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to succeed Princess Haya.
The 63-year-old who is also a vice president of the European Equestrian Federation, is the second candidate to announce for the post that will be filled by an election at the FEI General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan Dec. 14.
Swiss businessman Pierre Genecand, 64, who has been president of the CHI Geneva for the past 15 years, announced his candidacy before the princess announced she will not seek re-election when her second four-year-term ends this year.
Ulf Helgstrand, in announcing his candidacy to head up the FEI based in Lausanne, Switzerland, said: “I have thought of this a lot since HRH Princess Haya stated that she is not running for a third period. But with the expression of support I have received from several places in the equestrian world, I’m confident that I’m ready for the post and the challenges the equestrian world faces if the national federations will give me their support.”
He is a doctor and professor of vascular surgery and lives in Dragoer, Denmark.
He has three children, including Andreas Helgstrand, who has come under fire in recent years over horse sales and most recently accused of harsh training methods.
