Great Britain’s John McEwen MBE to run for FEI Presidency

Tuesday 26 August 2014

The International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) First Vice-President, John McEwen MBE, is to run for presidency of the FEI when the position comes up in December 2014.  Currently the FEI’s Veterinary Committee Chairman, a role he has held for 8 years, John has supported current incumbent HRH Princess Haya of Jordan and the FEI as First Vice-President since his election at the General Assembly in Taiwan in 2000. During this time he has also served as the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) World Class Performance Programme’s Director for Equine Sports Science and Medicine.

The presidential race will be strongly contested following Princess Haya’s decision not to run for a third term. However, having been at the sharp end of the FEI’s work over a time of expansion - throughout the period of its “clean sport” campaign and over a period of unsurpassed sponsorship acquisition - John is well versed in both sport and commercial decisions of the organisation.

Known for his diplomacy, his integrity, modesty and strong sense of fair play John is well very well connected within the sport. He has chaired the FEI’s Bureau and its General Assembly in Princess Haya’s absence. 

John commented:

“I have been delighted to play my part in support of the FEI and of our current President, HRH Princess Haya.  I have no illusions about the challenges for this election and the work that needs to be undertaken in the future.  I run because I know I have the confidence and support of my own Federation and because I am committed to the direction our current president has forged.  There is clearly more work to do but we have good people in place and a sound executive team led well by its Secretary General, Ingmar De Vos.  If elected, I will seek to run a steady course and a period of further evolution.”

BEF’s President and Chairman, Keith Taylor, added:

“We were geared to support HRH Princess Haya in her campaign to run for another four years. Her withdrawal from the race a couple of weeks before nominations close has caused us to move quickly.  But, we took no time in citing John McEwen for our nomination.  He is hugely experienced and electable. He knows the FEI inside out and he knows what needs to be done to build on Princess Haya’s outstanding legacy.  He is very well respected throughout the international community as a man of integrity.  We support him fully.  John McEwen will go forward to the election at the FEI General Assembly (Baku) on 14 December with a very strong recommendation from the British Equestrian Federation.”

 
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