Michael Stone of Ireland was appointed new secretary general of the Fédération Equestre Internationale at an Extraordinary Bureau Meeting on Aug. 28 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

The Evaluation Panel consisted of FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein; Chairman of the Strategic Planning Commission, Simon Brooks-Ward; and Chairman of the Judicial Committee, Ken Lalo. Candidates were interviewed in London on Aug. 23-24.

Stone has been acting secretary general since Jean Claude Falciola of Switzerland, the interim secretary general, departed in June.

“I am delighted that Michael has agreed to become the Secretary General,” said HRH Princess Haya. “He now has the challenge to take the FEI to greater heights and to achieve the aspirations laid down and monitored by the General Assembly and the Bureau.”

Stone, a former international show jumper, has also competed in dressage and eventing on a national level. He served as secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland from 1987-1997 and was team manager of the Irish team at the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1994 WEG. Before joining the FEI in 1997 as development officer, he was management director of his family\’s feed business for five years. In 1998 he became FEI assistant secretary general, and in 2003 he was appointed to FEI sports director.

“I feel honored to be selected,” said Stone. “At a time when the FEI is clearly striving to change its tempo and direction, I am looking forward to the responsibility of leading the FEI staff and to unify the horse sport community so that we can achieve the agreed roadmap and targets against which I and the FEI will be judged. My goal is to attain the objectives and aims developed by the FEI President, Bureau and headquarters within an agreed timetable.”