“It is a great honour and a genuine pleasure to present the very first FEI Order of Merit to my predecessor, FEI Honorary President HRH Princess Haya,” said 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.

“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.