Department updates in Structure

We would like to inform you of several key staffing changes within the FEI as we continue to evolve as an organisation.

After 37 years of dedicated service, Catrin Norinder, our esteemed FEI Eventing and Olympic Director, will be retiring at the end of this year. Catrin’s last day in this position will be 31 December 2024.

Since joining the FEI in 1988, Catrin has been involved in the organisation of equestrian sports at the Olympic Games starting with Seoul the same year. She also played a key role in the creation of the Eventing Risk Management Programme, and in the development of the discipline. Her exceptional contributions over nearly four decades have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for her leadership and commitment to the FEI.

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Frédérique Reffet Plantier as FEI Director of Eventing, effective 1 January 2025. Frédérique, who is well known to many of you, brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and we are confident she will lead the Eventing department into an exciting new chapter. You can learn more about her appointment here.

As the FEI continues to grow into its important role as a service organisation for its member constituents, it has become increasingly important to ensure our operations remain as efficient and forward-thinking as possible.

As we enter a new Olympic cycle, the FEI is taking this opportunity to reassess the management of the Olympic Games and other multi-sport events to ensure optimal organisational efficiency and effectiveness.

Catrin Norinder will remain on board as a Consultant for the first to second quarter of 2025 to assist in Olympic and multi-sport Games matters, helping ensure a seamless handover.

We take this opportunity to announce, with regret, the departure of Olivia Robinson, FEI Communications Director, after 18 years of service. Olivia’s creativity, energy, and commitment have significantly contributed to the FEI, and she will be greatly missed. As she embarks on new personal pursuits, we extend our deepest appreciation for all she has achieved during her time with us.

As with the management of the Olympics, we are using this occasion to reassess the Communications Department.

Please be informed that Christina Abu-Dayyeh, FEI Endurance Director, will be on maternity leave as of Monday, 26 February. During her absence in the next few months, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez will assume responsibility as the temporary head of the Department, which will be fully functional.
 
As is now customary, communication with the Endurance Department will remain through endurance@fei.org.  
 
Please join us in wishing Christina all the very best for her and her family’s exciting new adventure.

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we announce the passing away of FEI Jumping Director Marco Fuste on 5 January.

A tribute to Marco, our cherished friend and colleague, can be found here.

On behalf of the FEI Family, which held Marco in the greatest esteem, the FEI extends its deepest condolences to his wife Isa, his daughter Ainoa, his father, extended family, the Spanish equestrian community and everyone around the world who had the chance to get to know and spend time with him.

May he rest in peace.

The FEI has appointed Marco Fuste (ESP) as FEI Jumping Director. Mr Fuste has been Director of Jumping at the Spanish Equestrian Federation and chef d’equipe of the Spanish Jumping team since 2006.

He will take up the new role at the FEI on 1 February 2021 and his first task will be a full revision of the FEI Jumping Rules. He replaces interim Jumping Director Deborah Riplinger, who will remain at FEI Headquarters until the end of June next year to ensure an optimal handover.

A more detailed press release announcing the appointment is available and published here.

The FEI has appointed Christina Abu-Dayyeh (JOR) as Endurance Director. Ms Abu-Dayyeh, 31, has been Secretary General of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation since 2017 and will start in her new role at the FEI on 1 April 2021.

She will replace Manuel Bandeira De Mello (POR), who joined the FEI in 2014 as Endurance Director. He will stay on in the role until Ms Abu-Dayyeh arrives in Switzerland and will remain at the FEI with the new title of Director Driving, Para Driving & Special Projects, allowing for an optimal handover to the new Endurance Director.

A more detailed press release announcing the appointment is available here.

Please be advised that Frank Spadinger, who many of you have met at the General Assembly or Sports Forum as a representative of the AUT NF, has been appointed in the new role of Director of Education & Officials. He will take up this post at the FEI HQ on 7 January 2019.
Frank, was born in Germany and studied agricultural economics and sciences at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Vienna. Having worked at the AUT NF since 1995, Frank brings more than 20 years of experience in sports administration and an extensive amount of judging and stewarding knowledge to the position.
Frank was Deputy Chair of the FEI Vaulting Committee from May 2006 to November 2010 and has been a 4* Vaulting Judge since 2009. He has worked as an FEI Steward in Jumping, Dressage, Endurance, Driving, Vaulting and Reining and since 2009.
He was Chief Steward at last year’s Balkan Jumping Championships in Zhitnitsa (BUL) and also at this year’s Balkan Dressage & Para Dressage Championships in Plovdiv (BUL). He was Technical Delegate at the FEI World Junior Vaulting Championships in Ermelo (NED) in 2015.  He became Honorary Steward General for Vaulting in 2006 and, three years later, was named as the Austrian NF Steward General for all FEI disciplines.
Frank has lectured on equine sciences at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna since 2003. He is an FEI Course Director for both Driving and Vaulting.
Mother-tongue German, Frank also speaks English, Finnish and French. He is married and has three grown children.
We hope this is of interest to you.