International horse sport has a new European association - the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), reports Horse Deals. The new body was established today in Warendorf, Germany, by 27 European National Federations. The formation of the EEF begun in March 2009 at a meeting of European National Federations in Deauville, France). In September last year, the principle of the federation was confirmed in Antwerp, Belgium. Today, the various National Federations signed a series of statutes that officially brought the international federation into existence. According to Horse Deals, it is anticipated that other European Federations and other representative groups, who were not present at the Warendorf meeting, will also adopt the new Statutes.
The EEF will represent the interests of European horse sport within the framework of the Federation Equestre International (FEI). It will also liaise with the European Union and other decision making bodies on matters of concern to the horse community.
After the meeting, the newly elected President Dr. Hanfried Haring of Germany, told the press that 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," Dr. Haring explained.
According to the Horse Deals report, other elected members of the interim Board are Christian Paillot (France), new Vice President Ulf Helgstrand (Denmark), Manuel Bandeira de Mello (Portugal), Andrew Finding (Great Britain), Michal Wroblewski (Poland) and Armagan Özgorkey (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."