Princess Haya elected President of the FEI

Dubai: Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain was elected as President of the Federation of Equestre Internationale (FEI) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Princess Haya, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, won the three-pronged contest to become the first Arab woman to be elected to the top post of the FEI.

The FEI is the world governing body for all equestrian sport except flat racing.

She became the 13th President of the equestrian body whose headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Princess Haya defeated Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Freddy Serpieri of Greece after two rounds of voting.

In the first round Princess Haya received 68 votes, Serpieri 52 votes and Princess Benedikte 16 votes.

In the decisive second round, Princess Haya received 82 votes while Serpieri received 52 votes.

Addressing a press conference after her victory, she said: "I promise to do everything in my power and to work tirelessly to serve the institution and the people who have done me the honour of placing their trust and belief in me.

Term till 2010

"Our beautiful, noble sport is seeped in tradition, history and grace. I will do all I can to protect and advance it, in all its forms." Princess Haya's term extends up to 2010. She replaces The Infanta Dona Pilar de Borbon of Spain, who had expressed her desire not to run for a fourth term after being in office since 1994.

Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, said while congratulating Princess Haya: "This is indeed a moment of glory and pride for the entire country. By winning the pivotal FEI presidency, Princess Haya has taken the country in general and the equestrian sport in particular to its highest level.

"Having herself been an equestrian sport lover, Princess Haya is certain to carry the sport to its pinnacle and will strive hard to bring laurels to the country at the international level."

She has been riding internationally since the age of 13. Princess Haya is the first Arab woman to take part in two different equestrian disciplines in world championships.

She took part in the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and followed it up by participating in the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain in showjumping.

Princess Haya also took part in the endurance world championship held in Dubai in 2005.