European national equestrian federations from 27 countries came together today, Feb. 18, to establish the European Equestrian Federation at a meeting in Warendorf, Germany.

The EEF will represent the interests of European horse sport within the Fédération Equestre Internationale. It will also liaise with the European Union and other decision-making bodies on matters concerning the horse community.

“The EEF will help to ensure that European countries have a clear voice within the FEI. Our goal is to contribute positively to the FEI by improving communication, cooperation and understanding. EEF will try to ensure that the needs of all Federations and stakeholders in the European equestrian community are properly taken into account,” said the newly elected President Dr. Hanfried Haring, Germany.

Other elected members of the interim Board are Christian Paillot, France, and Ulf Helgstrand, Denmark, as vice presidents, as well as Manuel Bandeira de Mello, Portugal, Andrew Finding, Great Britain, Michal Wroblewski, Poland, and Armagan Özgörkey, Turkey.

“The FEI welcomes this development,” said FEI President HRH Princess Haya. “Like the regional associations already established in Asia and the Americas, this reflects the natural evolution of representation of the sport’s interests at the regional level. We expect it to help address the numerous specific needs of European National Federations.”