By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

October 28 - Princess Haya has laid out her vision for equestrianism as she seeks to win a second term as FEI President, claiming she is seeking re-election to consolidate the gains made in recent years made under her.


She proposes greater athlete representation, a move to commercial partnerships rather than sponsorship packages, closer ties with other horse sports and growing income streams.

The Presidency of the FEI will be decided at a meeting of national federations in Taiwan on November 5 where the Princess will face rivals, Swede Sven Holmberg and Dutchman Henk Rottinghuis, both of whom have criticised elements of the FEI's performance under her leadership.

Among the pledges Princess Haya, the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and the wife of Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has made if she is re-elected is the establishment of an FEI Solidarity Programme, based on the Olympic Solidarity model.

Her vision includes greater athlete representation, with "full voting rights" at FEI Executive Board level, in addition to the creation of formal alliances between the FEI and racing, polo and other stakeholders.

She wants to address transportation and quarantine challenges through plans for migration toward compulsory micro-chipping of equestrian sport horses, supported by the FEI, "while still allowing and celebrating the various breed brands".

Also included are plans for the FEI's veterinary department to hub a fully fledged transport and quarantine section within it, to enable the FEI to ultimately ship the horses of national equestrian federations to FEI championships, in-house.

Princess Haya said she wanted to diversify the FEI's income and create new revenue streams, and move from sponsorship packages to commercial partnerships.

She said her programme ideas had been formulated after talks with national federations and others in the sport.

"Any election is about the future," said Princess Haya, who represented Jordan in show jumping at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"It's a time to re-clarify our long-term goals and the steps we can take to strengthen our federation and our sport.

"While I'm delighted with how far we've come, there is so much more we can do together, and I'm eager to have the opportunity to continue to lead our federation's transformation.

Princess Haya, who was elected in 2006, claimed that under her there had been a significant improvement in communications, marketing, animal welfare, FEI finances, grass-roots development and liaison with national federations.

"This is a wonderful time for our sport, which is growing around the world and attracting ever-increasing audiences," said the Princess.

"I would be honoured to have the opportunity to consolidate the gains and the progress we have made in a second and final term.

"This has been a time to reflect on learnings and accomplishments, while also exploring ways that the FEI can better support national federations and athletes."

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