Ingmar De Vos has been elected as the new President of the FEI, replacing Princess Haya.
Very honoured
It was a landslide victory for Ingmar, whohas been FEI General Secretary since 2011, receiving98 votes out of 130.
“I’m really very honoured and overwhelmed by this enormous support and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your confidence,” said the 51-year-old Belgian.
Ingmar’s presidency will run for four years and he can be re-elected forup to three consecutive terms. Until this year,the maximum was two terms but103 national federations voted in favour of an extension.
Despite thechange in the FEIstatute,Princess Haya decided not to stand for a third term, citingfamily andhumanitarian work.
Maintain unity
The other candidates standing for election were Pierre Durand (FRA), Pierre Genecand (SUI), John McEwen (GBR), and Ulf Helgstrand (DEN), who withdrew his application before the vote.
“Elections are always difficult, as it splits a little bit the family, but I guarantee that I will be the president of all of you, I will serve all the members of our community and I will work very hard to keep this unity,” Ingmar said.