Kevin Staut becomes first Athlete on FEI Executive Board

Kevin Staut, one of France’s most successful Jumping riders, has become the first athlete to be appointed to the FEI Executive Board. His appointment was ratified at today’s Extraordinary General Assembly at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI).

Staut (31), who has held the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings for Jumping since July 2010, has ridden on numerous Nations Cup teams for France and claimed individual gold at the Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships in 2009.

Staut will serve a three-year term on the Executive Board alongside First Vice President John McEwen (GBR), Second Vice President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN) Chair of Group VII, Richard Nicoll (USA) Chair of the Driving Committee and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos (BEL).

“Sports governance can so often be about politics, and the appointment of an athlete representative on the Executive Board is an historic event for the FEI. It will give us a constant reminder that sport should always be at the heart of everything we do,” explained FEI President HRH Princess Haya. “Kevin is a consummate horseman who will represent the best interests of athletes across all of our disciplines. He is widely admired by all of us and we are delighted that he joins the Executive Board.”

Kevin Staut also commented on his new role in the FEI, “These are exciting times – I will continue to compete while helping the FEI to build closer partnerships with athletes, the National Federations and rider groups around the world.

“I have discussed my role at length with the FEI President. We share the common goals of achieving clear communication and raising awareness within the equestrian community and to wider audiences, and I am very much looking forward to achieving these.”