Dubai: After declining a third term as President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday expressed her gratitude to Shaikh Mohammad — a passionate equestrian and a leading figure in the equine world — for his ongoing support of her eight-year, two-term presidency.
She also commended him for personally driving the success and growth of equestrian sport across the UAE and around the globe.
Princess Haya also thanked the UAE Equestrian Federation for its support and dedication in taking the sport to new heights across the nation.
In a statement released on the FEI’s website, Princess Haya explained her desire to spend more time with her family, particularly her two young children. She said she also wants to put a higher priority on providing help and humanitarian relief to people across the region, who continue to suffer daily.
Princess Haya said her husband has been her role model for her FEI work.
“His Highness Shaikh Mohammad shares my love of equestrian sport, and I am grateful for his support of my work in that area,” she said. “I am equally grateful for the guidance he provided through his leadership. His insistence on good governance, justice and service to the people set the standard that I have tried to emulate. I looked to him as my mentor and example.”
Of the UAE Equestrian Federation, she added: “Any success I have had as FEI President is an achievement by the UAE Federation and a success for the UAE.”
Princess Haya was widely expected to win a third term as FEI President if she had chosen to run. She will remain in the role until the election of her replacement at the next FEI General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan, in December.
