The FEI General Assembly 2024 took place Nov. 10-13 in person in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and online. Sessions on the Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan, Horse Digital Passport, Athletes Services and Registration Fees, and proposed changes to rules and regulations took place. The assembly culminated with the FEI Awards Gala on the final evening.
Canadian rider and businessman Mark Samuel was elected at the General Assembly for the position of FEI Regional Group IV Deputy Chair for the four-year term 2024-2028. The primary responsibilities of the Deputy Chair are to help the Chair to run and communicate with the Group and to step in as a substitute for any FEI board meetings or other official gatherings that the Chair can’t attend. Samuel had served as Group IV Chair since 2012 (a region encompassing Canada, the US, and eight Caribbean nations) and had maxed out his three-term eligibility.
“It is an honour to have been asked by Monique to serve in this capacity as my background and experience will allow for a seamless transition as well as introductions to all the relevant HQ team members,” Samuel told Horse Sport. “It was also a wonderful surprise to be nominated and ratified as honorary Vice-President of the FEI in recognition of my 12 years of board service. Going forward, I will be chairing the re-constituted Officials Working group with an intention to report out at the Sports Forum and move towards actionable items for next year’s General Assembly in Hong Kong.”
Samuel had served as one of two FEI Vice-Presidents since 2017; that position will now be filled by Jenny Hall of Great Britain, Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee. Other positions Samuel has held over the years include Chair of the FEI Officials Task Force; he was the co-founder of the Caribbean Equine Disaster Relief Fund, and was on the FEI Endurance Temporary Committee.
A summary of the main decisions taken by the General Assembly is available here.
A summary of the main decisions taken at the FEI Board Meeting II is available here.
Watch replays of the sessions here.
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