Princess Haya, who has served two four-year terms as President since 2006, is required to step down from her role at the FEI General Assembly in Dubai in mid-December, although the FEI statutes could yet be changed to allow her to run for a third term.

A vote on changing the statutes is due to take place in two weeks' time in Lausanne although Princess Haya, the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan, has yet to confirm whether she would stand for re-election should the proposed extension be passed.

In the meantime, Genecand has become the first potential alternative to declare his hand following four decades of experience in equestrian sports. 

The 64-year-old became President of the prestigious Concours Hippique International showjumping competition in 1989, and between 1991 and 2003 was a member of the World Cup Committee.

From 1992 to 2003, he was a member of the Alliance of Jumping Organiserm and was also a member of the Organising Committee of the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games in Rome.

In recent years, he has developed a particular attachment to polo, and has been President of the Gstaad Polo Club and the Hublot Polo Gold Cup since 2006.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein has been FEI President since 2006 ©Getty Images



When outlining his candidacy, Genecand praised the work of Princess Haya in her eight years at the helm before outlining various plans for the future.

"The tremendous work accomplished by Princess Haya and all at the FEI is widely acknowledged and recognised," he said. 

"The FEI is now more ready than ever to face the different challenges ahead of us.

"After those eight successful years led by a remarkably visionary President, the time has now come for necessary change in order to keep the dynamic of the FEI alive and to stabilise what has been established.

"I am willing to put my knowledge of sports and business, as well as my never-ending energy to serve equestrian sports and help focus the attention back on the sport itself rather than on commercial aspects only."

In particular, he cited as specific aims enhancing worldwide television coverage for all FEI Championships and creating greater communication between governing bodies and all stakeholders through regular meetings.

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September 2013: Princess Haya to step down as FEI President when term ends next year
July 2013: FEI officials propose statute modification to allow Princess Haya third term as President