HRH Princess Haya, who served as FEI President from 2006 to 2014 and is currently the organisation’s Honorary President, has been awarded the Order of Merit, the FEI’s highest distinction.
The FEI Order of Merit’s first recipient, HRH Princess Haya was presented with her Award on 21st December during the London International Horse Show by FEI President Ingmar De Vos.
“Princess Haya is a visionary leader who transformed the FEI into a modern, transparent, agile and highly respected international sports organisation. Through her energy and commitment as an IOC member and as a member of several IOC Commissions—including the influential IOC Athletes’ Commission—the FEI became a key stakeholder within the Olympic Movement” said Mr De Vos
“Her brainchild, the FEI Solidarity programme, inspired by the highly successful Olympic Solidarity model, has been instrumental in advancing equestrian sport worldwide. Under Princess Haya’s leadership, the FEI also secured major commercial partnerships, including the historic long-term agreement with Swiss watchmaker Longines.
“She introduced Athlete Representatives to the FEI Technical Committees, and since 2014, athletes themselves have been empowered to elect their representatives. In 2012, she also launched the FEI Sports Forum, creating an open platform for National Federations and stakeholders from across the globe to engage in wide-ranging discussions on the development of equestrian sport. The Forum has since become a flagship annual event.
“Princess Haya further strengthened the FEI by donating its state-of-the-art Headquarters in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne. Named in honour of her late father, HM King Hussein I, the building has enabled the FEI to expand its professional team and enhance services to the global equestrian community. In October, the headquarters was further enhanced with the opening of the new HRH Princess Haya Auditorium.
“Princess Haya showed us the path to success, leading the FEI with vision, honesty, integrity and in unity. Her contribution to equestrian sport is immeasurable, and she is a most deserving inaugural recipient of the FEI Order of Merit,” the FEI President concluded.
The FEI Order of Merit, the highest distinction awarded by the FEI was created in 2023 as a recognition for outstanding lifetime achievements, commitment and contributions towards the growth, development, promotion and success of equestrian sport. Recipients are proposed by the FEI President and approved by the FEI Board.
In 2014 the FEI Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Princess Haya to HRH Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her leading role as supporter of equestrian sport throughout her reign as British monarch.
