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Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO delighted as International Horse Sports Confederation is created to unite equestrian sport

11/10/2013

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have joined forces to create the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the first formal vehicle for co-operation between the world’s leading governing bodies for equestrian sport.

The agreement was formally signed by FEI President HRH Princess Haya and IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet during the FEI General Assembly on 7 November.

The Confederation is the first formal alliance between the racing world and the FEI, which governs the seven equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Para-Dressage, Eventing, Driving and Para-Driving, Endurance, Reining and Vaulting.

The IHSC’s primary mission will be the exchange of information and technical knowledge, and collaboration on issues that represent the collective interests of the FEI and the IFHA, including the international movement of horses with the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), horse welfare, anti-doping, coordinated communications and fair play.

Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who is also Vice-Chairman of the IFHA with special responsibility for international horse movement, said: “I am delighted about the formation of the International Horse Sports Confederation which widened the cooperation between equine sport’s two most important organisations. Having worked on this project in my role as Vice-Chairman of the IFHA, alongside Andrew Harding, Co-Chairman of the IFHA Technical Advisory Committee, I am pleased that the IFHA Executive Committee and now the General Assembly of the FEI have adopted the concept.

 “One of the many strategic benefits of this move is that we can work as one to improve the ease with which horses can travel internationally for equine competition. Increased competition creates more interest and also allows the best horses across all sports to prove themselves across the world. This is ultimately excellent news for horses, horsemen and the fans of racing and other equine disciplines.”

Further details plus rights free images are available at the IFHA website here:
http://www.horseracingintfed.com/newsDisplay.asp?story=764

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