As HRH Princess Haya’s term as FEI president comes to an end in December, three new candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. Pierre E. Genecand of Switzerland has declared his candidacy, along with Pierre Durand of France and Ulf Helgstrand of Denmark.
Genecand, an insurance broker and successful businessman, has been president of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, the most important Swiss polo tournament, for almost 20 years. He has been actively involved in the organization of Swiss show jumping events for more than 40 years, in the course of which he was president of the CHI Geneva for 15 years and a member of the Alliance of Jumping Organizers (AJO) from 1992 until 2003.
Durand, a former show jumper, has been European Champion (1972), as well as team individual gold medalist at the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988 and World Champion in 1990. In addition, he was president of the French Equestrian Federation from 1993-1998.
Helgstrand, a doctor and professor of vascular surgery, has been president of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003, vice president of the European Equestrian Federation since 2010, and is a former board member and vice president of the Danish Warmblood Association. His is also father to Danish Olympian Andreas Helgstrand.
The election for the FEI Presidency takes place at the General Assembly in Baku (AZE) on December 14, 2014. The deadline for candidates to register their candidacy with the FEI Secretary General is September 1, 2014.
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