Dressage-News

WARENDORF, Germany, Feb. 18–A European Equestrian Federation representing the most powerful horse sport nations was established Thursday at a meeting at the home of the German federation.

Twenty-seven of the 40 European national federations were represented at the meeting at which the formation statutes were signed, giving effect to sentiments expressed at conferences in Deauville, France and Antwerp, Belgium last year. Other European federations and representative groups are expected to adopt the new statutes.

The aim of the European Equestrian Federation is to represent the interests of European horse sport within the FEI. It will also liaise with the European Union and other decision-making bodies on issues of concern to the horse community.

Dr. Hanfried Haring of Germany was elected president.

The EEF will help ensure that European countries have a clear voice within the FEI.

“Our goal is to contribute positively to the FEI by improving communication, cooperation and understanding,” he said. “EEF will try to ensure that the needs of all federations and stakeholders in the European equestrian community are properly taken into account.”

Other elected members of the interim board are Christian Paillot of France and Ulf Helgstrand of Denmark as vice presidents as well as Manuel Bandeira de Mello of Portugal, Andrew Finding of Great Britain, Michal Wroblewski of Poland and Armagan Özgörkey of Turkey).

“The FEI welcomes this development,” said FEI President Princess Haya. “Like the regional associations already established in Asia and the Americas, this reflects the natural evolution of representation of the sport’s interests at the regional level. We expect it to help address the numerous specific needs of European national federations.”