They alone will choose who sits on the FEI Technical Committees for jumping, dressage, Para-equestrian, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.

It is the first time they have been allowed to vote for who will represent them on the Committees in the 93-year history of the sport's governing body.

"Our athlete representatives play a vital role in the governance of equestrian sport, acting as a voice for all our athletes and actively shaping the FEI's global development, so it is only right that the athletes themselves should decide who will represent them," said FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos.

Twenty-six candidates from 10 countries have put their name forward to sit on one of the Committees.

Athletes have until June 1 to choose who sits on each.

Eight Technical Committees will have an Athlete Representative, with six weeks for their peers to vote ©Getty Images



Previously, the Athlete Representatives were chosen by the FEI Bureau, which is responsible for laying out the direction of the FEI.

De Vos added: "We are encouraging all our athletes to take this opportunity to cast their vote on these key ambassadors for equestrian sport."

The appointed Athlete Representatives in each discipline will also form the FEI Athletes' Committee.

The election is taking place via a "secure online voting platform", with biographies of each candidate able to view.

FEI registered athletes, aged 18 and over, can vote.

See a full list of the candidates here.

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