Joint statement from the FEI and EEF

A webinar was held today for the European Equestrian National Federations and associated European Equestrian Federation (EEF) members to provide a comprehensive update on the situation in Ukraine.

Jointly hosted by the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), Ukrainian Equestrian Federation (UEF), UEF Charity Foundation and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the meeting included a thorough overview of the current actions and priorities in Ukraine, as well as an interactive discussion to establish the most efficient processes required to support the equestrian community (including the horses) in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring nations.

The meeting also highlighted the strong collaborative spirit between the National Federations and the willingness from the equestrian community to provide both financial and logistical support through donations of supplies and materials, offers to host individuals and/or horses and employment opportunities.

Since the onset of the war, the FEI, EEF and UEF have worked together and tirelessly to provide support and aid through the UEF Charity Foundation and the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund.

Current situation in Ukraine

The UEF Charity Foundation, which was set up at the start of the conflict and has the full support of the FEI and EEF manages the logistics and coordination of humanitarian aid, the evacuation of horses and the general information flow to/from the community and those externally wishing to help. Through the website www.helpukrainehorses.eu offers of material aid (feed, shavings etc.), monetary donations and accommodation have been received from across Europe and overseas. To date, over 375 tonnes of material aid have been received at their central hub in Poland and over €75,000 has been donated directly to the Charity Foundation.

Working hand in hand and funded by the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund, the Foundation has also managed the creation of a logistical hub in Granat, located between Lviv and the Polish border, able to accommodate up to 40 horses so they can be prepared for transfer into the European Union. Individuals should contact the UEF Charity Foundation for more information. It is expected this hub will be at full capacity in the coming days.

Whilst the achievements so far have been remarkable, the UEF Charity Foundation gave a stark warning that the requirement for aid is ongoing. Over the next month, an expected 2,000 horses will require support from the Foundation which would equate to triple the number of supplies currently held. As such, there is a need to continue working cooperatively across Europe in order to facilitate the supply of aid.  

FEI Solidarity Director Jean-Phillippe Camboulives took this opportunity to urge all National Equestrian Federations “to designate an official representative to first coordinate the offers of support and supplies nationally, and then liaise with the FEI, EEF and UEF to ensure logistical efficiency.”  

Among other things, this would entail that offers for accommodation or employment be coordinated through National Federations, prior to reaching the UEF Charity Foundation and the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund.  

Camboulives added, the “FEI Solidarity Relief Fund has been able to provide great support to individual members in the Ukrainian community through neighbouring and European member federations such as the Ukrainian Vaulting team which is currently training and living in Slovakia thanks to the efforts of the host National Federation and the determination of their Secretary General Zuzana Baciak. And there are many examples like this at the moment. We must continue to work together and to coordinate our efforts and use our resources effectively.”

EU Regulations on the movement of horses

FEI Veterinary Director Göran Åkerström provided an update on the situation regarding the transfer of horses from Ukraine into neighbouring EU countries as well as the essential biosecurity protocols and sanitary requirements which must be respected to safeguard horse welfare and horse populations both inside and outside of Ukraine. Among the topics covered, he also informed member nations of recent amendments to the existing Health Certificate published this week by the European Commission and taking effect on 29 March through to 15 December 2022 which could facilitate the transit of horses. Given the recent publication, the documents are currently under review by the FEI and clear guidance will be shared to all relevant stakeholders in the coming days.  

Looking ahead and planning the future 

Reflecting on the complete collapse of the Ukrainian equestrian industry, the EEF and the FEI gave their full support to help rebuild the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation and the community.

To conclude the meeting, EEF President Theo Ploegmakers said “the situation in Ukraine is devastating, but the collaboration we have seen across Europe through our members and the FEI is incredibly encouraging. There is still a huge amount of work to be done to help both the equines and the wider equestrian community in Ukraine and I believe through our network in Europe we can continue to provide the necessary support”.

About:

FEI Solidarity Relief Fund:

The FEI set aside a CHF 1 Million Solidarity Relief Fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine, following the invasion by Russian military forces. The allocation was approved by the FEI Executive Board during a meeting convened on 28 February 2022, where members also unanimously condemned the invasion and agreed to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus from the 2022 FEI calendar. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has also joined forces with the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund, establishing the USEF Ukraine Relief Fund to Support Ukraine horses and equestrians, with 100% of funds raised going to the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund to be distributed by the FEI.

EEF:

Founded in 2009, the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) is the representative body for the European based National equestrian Federations. Working closely with the Federation Internationale Equestre (FEI) and the National Federations, the EEF works to maximise the potential and development of equestrianism throughout the continent. The EEF is committed to promoting the sport equestrianism and its good practices, developing the sport across Europe, and providing leadership for a collective European voice in the sport.

UEF Charity Foundation:

The Charity Foundation is registered in Belgium and its mission is to help the Ukrainian equestrian community during the crisis. The Foundation works closely with the FEI and national equestrian federations. For all the latest information and activities visit https://helpukrainehorses.eu/

By Sarah Dance

For the first time since 2008 the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final returns to Leipzig (GER) to round off the 2021-22 indoor season.  The Driving will take place alongside the FEI World Cup™ Finals for Dressage, Jumping and Vaulting.

Six of the world’s best international four-in-hand drivers will be vying to take the title in this enthralling event.  Requiring skill, agility and bravery, teams of four powerful horses must work together as they are steered at the gallop through a combination of obstacles and pairs of cones, with many tight twists and turns.  Although competitors aim for the fastest time, they must also be accurate as penalties are added for any balls that are knocked off.  This event is a popular spectacle which engages the crowd, the electric atmosphere enhanced with rock music and theatrical lighting.

Reigning indoor and outdoor FEI Driving World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) leads the rankings going into the final.  Winner of more Four-in-Hand World Championships than any other driver, Boyd first took the indoor World Cup title in 2009 in Gothenburg (SWE).  He admits it has been a difficult season, with the early events running so close to each other at the end of 2021, then a long wait until the final.  Having won three of the four qualifying events in Lyon, Stockholm then London just before Christmas, Boyd said,

“We are keeping our teams, both horse and human, focussed and not taking anything for granted.  It would be a mistake to underestimate the competition.”

Course designer Jeroen Houterman (NED), who designed the tracks in Lyon and London, is keeping his course a secret until he gets to Leipzig.  Mindful of the lack of competition practice the horses have had going into the finals, he has created the sort of test he would produce at the beginning of a season, making it relatively simple.  He hopes his design will encourage flowing driving that is not too difficult on the horses and when walking the course, drivers should be able to see what their options are. 

The six qualified finalists are Boyd Exell (AUS), Bram Chardon (NED), who won in Geneva, Koos de Ronde (NED), Glenn Geerts (BEL), Dries Degrieck (BEL) and Mareike Harm (GER).  A seventh, ‘wild card’ competitor has been invited to drive too, Michael Brauchle (GER), but the rules state that he cannot contend for the title. 

Competition will be fierce between these talented drivers, with both Koos and Bram being previous title holders, and the home crowd will be cheering loudest for Michael and Mareike, who has the accolade of being the first female to compete at the final.  Mareike had an excellent drive in London and finished in third place, which helped seal her place in Leipzig.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there has not been an FEI World Cup™ Final since Bordeaux in February 2020, and this year the event is being held in April which is later than usual.  However, the drivers, their horses, and the support teams around them are all highly experienced and will have altered their preparation to take this timing into account.

Driving Ground Jury President, Mark Wentein (BEL), said, “After the Covid-19 lockdowns and cancellation of some of the planned FEI World Cup qualifiers, the top drivers from the international driving scene are very keen to start in Leipzig for the final. Personally, I am convinced that the battle and the sporting standards will be very high. You have of course the World Champion and the title holder Boyd Exell (AUS), but perhaps some other drivers will put the pressure on his shoulders. Anyway, Leipzig will host the four different legs of FEI World Cup Finals and will be the most thrilling moment of the indoor season 2021-22. I expect great sportsmanship from all the competitors.”

Further information on the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final can be found here.

Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest and second largest city, will host the FEI General Assembly at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 9 to 13 November 2022. The decision was taken by the FEI Board at its monthly teleconference on 22 March.

t is the first time that the FEI’s biggest annual meeting will travel to Southern Africa. The event has been held on the African continent only once before, in Morocco’s capital Rabat in 2002.

“We are delighted to be going to Africa for this year’s General Assembly,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “The South African Equestrian Federation had generously invited us in 2020 but the event had to be cancelled twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Africa is a vibrant continent with a huge potential for equestrian sport. The countries of the region have been involved in many FEI Solidarity projects and it is a fantastic opportunity for our community to gather in South Africa and learn more of their progress over the years.

“The online and in-person hybrid General Assembly format we used last year in Antwerp (BEL) permitted wide participation, especially for the National Federation representatives who were unable to travel. It was a successful formula, which we will put in place again this year. I know South Africa will be an excellent host and we look forward to reuniting with the worldwide equestrian family in Cape Town in November.”

“We are very excited to play host to the FEI General Assembly 2022 and to showcase the achievements of our country and our continent,” Professor Ian Sanne, President of the South African Equestrian Federation said. “We have waited patiently for this opportunity, and we are determined to provide the very best backdrop for the important decisions that will be made. Cape Town is a vibrant city, and we are already working hard and are excitedly planning for a week of hard work and unforgettable African celebration.”

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

A horse trained by Elena Loseva (10015343/RUD), tested positive for the Banned Substance Meldonium following samples taken at the CEIYJ*120 Novotersky (RUS), 28 -30 May 2021.

Ms Loseva admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on Ms Loseva; the provisional suspension she already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. She was also fined CHF 5,000.

The full Decision is available here.

Notes to Editors:

FEI Equine Prohibited Substances

The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

**Specified Substances

The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances that are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.

Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.

Due to the ongoing EHV-1 outbreak in the California region, the Organising Committee together with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) together have decided to cancel the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 USA qualifier in San Juan Capistrano from 10-15 May 2022.

This is the third qualifier in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ series 2022, and is one of three North/Central America & Caribbean Division events in the series alongside Coapexpan (MEX) and Vancouver (CAN).

The FEI fully understands the difficult decision taken by the USEF and the Organising Committee in response to the ongoing biosecurity threat and is a reflection of the community’s firm commitment to equine health and welfare.

“For several weeks, the FEI has closely monitored the development of the EHV-1 outbreak in California and supports the decision to close down competition. Stopping movement of horses is key to prevent further spread of the virus”, FEI Veterinary Director Göran Akerström said.

A letter issued on 3 March by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) also calls on all participants and Equestrian Event Coordinators to exercise extreme caution for the next 28 days.

Information on the FEI’s Horse Health Requirements and Biosecurity protocols can be viewed on the FEI website.

Following the decision to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus from the FEI Calendar, the FEI Board today announced an Emergency Board Resolution to prohibit the participation of all Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Horses and Officials in international events.

Further to the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board on 28 February 2022, and in accordance with Article 20.3 of the FEI Statutes, the FEI Board agreed to:

• prohibit Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Horses and Officials from participating in FEI Events until further notice;

• exclude the possibility of Russian and Belarusian Athletes (equine and human) and Officials from participating in FEI Events under the FEI flag and/or in a neutral capacity.

The prohibition comes into effect as of midnight CET on Sunday, 6 March 2022 so that FEI Events already in progress, or about to start, are not unduly disrupted.

The resolution also prohibits, with immediate effect, the display of Russian and Belarusian flags, or their anthems played at, or in connection with, any FEI Events.

The FEI Board also condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces and the support provided by the government of Belarus.

“It is regrettable that the FEI has needed to take such severe measures, but we need to ensure the safety, integrity and fairness of FEI Competitions during these difficult times,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“We sincerely hope that a peaceful solution can be found as soon as possible.”

Notes to Editors

Rules and Regulations

Article 20.3. of the FEI Statutes states:

In an Emergency Situation the Board may, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast, pass Resolutions which are normally the prerogatives of the General Assembly. In such cases, the National Federations shall be notified promptly of these measures. If a majority of the National Federations eligible to vote, responding within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice, signifies its disapproval, the measure shall be rescinded if possible.

All FEI Rules & Regulations can be found here.

The FEI Executive Board met today to unanimously condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces and agree on the ramifications to equestrian sport in Russia and Belarus.

In line with the IOC statement of 25 February 2022 urging International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events, the FEI Executive Board called on the FEI Secretary General to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus in the 2022 FEI Calendar in accordance with Articles 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations and 28.2 vi of the FEI Statutes.

In addition to removing all the Events from Russia and Belarus, the FEI Executive Board also unanimously agreed to freeze all FEI Solidarity and development activities and to cancel or relocate, where possible, FEI Courses for Officials scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus in 2022.

The Executive Board requested that the FEI Board consider an Emergency Board Resolution addressing today’s recommendation by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to prohibit the participation of all Russian and Belarusian Athletes and Officials. The FEI will continue to monitor the situation and decisions taken by the FEI Board will be communicated in the coming days. 

During the meeting, the Executive Board also approved the allocation of a CHF 1 Million FEI Solidarity Relief Fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian Federation and neighbouring countries to facilitate and coordinate logistical support as well as the financial aid.  

FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos (BEL) is currently in close contact with the National Federation of Ukraine and the equestrian community.

“We are deeply concerned for the welfare of all Ukrainians and the entire equestrian community in Ukraine,” the FEI President said. ”Their safety is very much our priority, and we are liaising closely with our key contacts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to seek solutions to their most pressing needs.”

“Sport is a network which relies and thrives on team spirit and camaraderie and it is through these important friendships that we can offer support and make a difference to the people of Ukraine in these challenging times.” 

The FEI has published the first section of a three-part Report following its investigation into the outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in Spain in February 2021. The outbreak resulted in the deaths of 18 horses in mainland Europe and confirmed related cases in 10 countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.

The FEI pledged to have a comprehensive and fully transparent investigation into every aspect of the outbreak and to make the full findings public. The investigation, which focused on venues where there were related cases, has shown that there were systemic failures in a number of areas and the published Report details those.

In order to make the Report as complete as possible, it has been broken down into three parts. The section of the Report published today, Part 1, provides a comprehensive and factual picture of the outbreak, including the series of events, causes, roles and responsibilities, and analysis. It evaluates what was done correctly and identifies where there were failings, and lessons learned.

Additionally, Part 1 covers accountability, lack of preparedness and measures that have already been taken to rectify that, including enhanced jurisdiction for the FEI and reinforced Rules. Blocking of sick and in-contact horses in the FEI Database to prevent further transmission, the importance of risk assessment, both pre- and post-outbreak, pre-event onsite regulatory checks and the creation of Emergency Response Units are also covered. Multiple external reports are included as Annexes.

The 39-page Report, plus 96 pages of Annexes, has been produced by FEI Veterinary Director Dr Göran Åkerström and Grania Willis, former FEI Communications Director and now Executive Consultant to the FEI. There has also been input from the FEI Veterinary Epidemiology Working Group and other veterinary experts, FEI President Ingmar De Vos and Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez and the FEI Veterinary and Legal Departments.

Part 2 of the Report, which will be published in advance of the FEI Sports Forum 2022 (25-26 April), covers the stringent measures implemented to allow Return to Competition following the six-week FEI-imposed lockdown on international sport in mainland Europe. This section of the Report will focus on the EHV-1 By-Laws and sanctioning system, and evaluate their effectiveness, plus the elements of these that were subsequently incorporated into the FEI Veterinary Regulations 2022 approved at the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in November 2021.

Part 3 of the Report, which will be presented at the FEI Sports Forum, will look at the way forward, including potential global vaccination protocols. Professor Lutz Goehring, a world-renowned specialist in equine infectious diseases and particularly EHV at the Gluck Equine Research Center, will present his findings on the benefits and drawbacks of vaccination, focusing on the scientific evidence of whether mandatory vaccination against EHV-1 is protective against outbreaks at FEI Events. This presentation will be included in Session 8: FEI Veterinary Regulations on Day 2 of the FEI Sports Forum (26 April).

“The Report into last year’s EHV-1 outbreak in Spain is a significant body of work which offers a forensic examination of all elements of the outbreak”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “The first part of the Report looks at what went wrong and what the FEI and our community did or could have done to minimise the impact and spread of the virus. It is clear that mistakes were made and we all need to learn from them so we ensure that we never have an outbreak of such devastating impact again.

“There has to be accountability and everyone – including the FEI – has to take their share of responsibility. As you can see in the text published today, individual accountabilities will need to be established by the FEI based on the contents of this Report prior to any further potential actions. The FEI Legal Department will make a thorough analysis and the findings of any resulting legal processes will be made public in due course.

“The significance of the investigation findings and the Report itself have been brought into sharper focus by the current outbreak in the United States, once again highlighting the fact that there will never be zero risk with EHV. What we must do at every Event and in every home barn is to ensure that correct biosecurity measures are in place for the safety of our horses. And we now have the tools to do that, provided we work together as a community to ensure enforcement and compliance.”

The FEI thoroughly assessed whether the investigation and resulting report should be outsourced or conducted internally. FEI Veterinary Director Dr Göran Åkerström explained the rationale: “Outsourcing to a third party would have required identifying and putting together a group of individuals with top-level expertise in veterinary epidemiology, and comprehensive knowledge of European Union and national legislation. The group would then have had to be fully briefed on every aspect of the outbreak before they could even begin their work.

“As the international governing body, the FEI was right at the centre of events and was already in possession of communications between all parties throughout the outbreak. Any third party would have been dependent on FEI Headquarters to get that information, which would have further delayed the investigation, production and eventual publication of the Report. So a decision was made internally that the investigation, collation of evidence and production of the Report would be done by FEI Headquarters.”

Part 1 of the Report into the outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in Spain in March 2021 is available here.

The International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) General Assembly has unanimously elected Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as Vice-President of the organisation.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges, who previously served as the standing representative of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in the IHSC General Assembly, is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), a position he has held since 2007. He also serves as the Chair of the IFHA, the global leader for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing, and the Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), which comprises 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

“Winfried’s expertise in the horse racing industry has been of great value to the work of the IHSC, as is his commitment to protecting the welfare of equine and human athletes,” IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The IHSC was created to strengthen and formalise the cooperation between horse racing and equestrian sport in fields where we share common interest, and specifically to establish a partnership between horse sport and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“We have many ongoing projects in different fields and I look forward to continuing this close working relationship with Winfried and the IFHA, and I would like to extend my warm congratulations to him on his election. I also would like to convey my warmhearted thanks to his predecessor Louis Romanet for his great contribution to our organisation.”

Following his election as IHSC Vice-President, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said:

“I’m extremely honoured to be elected Vice-President of the IHSC. I would like to thank our President Ingmar De Vos and the General Assembly for their trust and support. I would also like to thank our past President and IFHA Chairman Emeritus Louis Romanet who was instrumental in the establishment of the IHSC as the first vehicle for cooperation between the world’s leading peak horse sports bodies.

“I look forward to furthering the collective objectives of the IFHA and the FEI, as well as advocating for the horse industry with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other international bodies.”

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has confirmed the appointment of Pierre Le Goupil (FRA) as Course Designer for Eventing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A master in his field and highly respected by his peers in a role that requires enormous skill, Pierre Le Goupil (59) knows the sport from both sides of the fence. Born in a family entirely dedicated to horse sport and breeding, his father Andre Le Goupil had been a member of the French Eventing squad at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City – a memory that Le Goupil still has clear in his mind.

“Taking part in the Olympic Games, somehow or other and whatever your role, can be seen as an absolute dream or the pinnacle in a career. I feel honoured to be appointed for the Paris Olympic Games as the Eventing Course Designer of a cross-country course held in the park of Versailles palace,” Pierre Le Goupil said.

“It is truly something like getting the "job of a life"! But it is also and above all a huge challenge that I am totally aware of. The fabulous opportunity of running the Olympic Equestrian Sports in such an iconic venue also commits all those who will be in charge of the event, to the highest level of responsibility.

“I am extremely thankful to those who trust and support me and I am excited to start racking my brains in that inspirational playground,” Le Goupil concluded.

A former top-level Eventing athlete, he competed up to five star level at international events from 1975 to 2002. He has been involved in organising events since 1995, and with his family created « Le Grand Complet », the biggest equestrian event in Normandy (FRA) and one of the most important in France and Europe. The event moved in 2010 to the Haras National du Pin.

His skill and proficiency in course designing has taken him to many parts of the world, working in ten different countries including Brazil, Bulgaria, Belarus, China, Hungary, India, Japan, Russia and Chile. His appointment for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is an endorsement of his accomplishments and a true reflection of his wealth of experience which has also recently led him to being appointed as Course Designer for the upcoming Pan American Games to be held in Santiago (CHI) in 2023 and the FEI European Championships 2023 which will take place in Haras du Pin (FRA).

Le Goupil continues designing and building courses for international events in France. His expertise in consulting, cross country building and designing for all levels will make equestrian sport shine, not only in his home country, one of the world’s greatest equestrian nations, but to a global audience during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in the most exhilarating and prestigious setting at the Château de Versailles, an iconic symbol recognised worldwide.

“I am very happy that a French representative has been chosen to build the Olympic Cross Country course, in his home country, on a site with such historic value”, David O’Connor Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee said.

“Le Goupil has travelled the world designing courses at top international shows and the Olympics is the pinnacle of any sporting achievement. There is enormous pride in representing your country in a sport and profession you have dedicated your life to, and to be recognised on the greatest sporting international stage.

O’Connor continues, “as a former Olympian myself, I can only reiterate the feeling of pride when competing for your country – it exudes from within. It’s a unique experience for athletes, for fans and everyone involved in the Games. There is nothing that compares to the nostalgia you get when you walk onto the Olympic site knowing all that you have worked for to get there. Your roots, your heritage, your culture, and your place of living all on display to the world, the expectations are high but such an honour is irreplaceable.

“Working alongside the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and supported by an exceptional team, there is no doubt Le Goupil will pay homage to his great nation through the creation of the cross country course - demanding, technical and spectacular, but always with the horse welfare at the fore, showcasing key features of Versailles as the centre stage of the equestrian competitions”.

Le Goupil was elected a member of the FEI Eventing Committee in 2020 for a four year term.