Asian Equestrian Federation signs Memorandum of Understanding with FEI

The Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FEI, the world governing body for equestrian sport.

The AEF, founded in 1978 in Bangkok (THA), is headquartered in Seoul (KOR) and has 34 member National Federations.

"We are delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the FEI, reinforcing our vital bilateral collaboration," said Mr Sang Jin Park, Asian Equestrian Federation President, Korea National Federation President and President of Samsung Electronics.

"We have today discussed practical methods to promote and develop equestrian sports in Asia, and have reaffirmed the need to strengthen the role of the AEF as a representative of its 34 National Federation members.

"We look forward to attracting further high profile international equestrian events to Korea and the Asian continent working closely with the FEI."

Hundreds of international equestrian events will take place across the Asian continent this year, and in 2018 in Jakarta (IND) equestrian sport will celebrate its ninth appearance at the Asian Games, also known as the Asiad, which are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic Games cycle.

"Equestrian sport has developed tremendously in Asia over the last decade, but this is just the beginning. The Asian continent represents a huge opportunity for equestrian sport to broaden its footprint, and the FEI is working hand in hand with the AEF and its National Federation members to make this happen," FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

"The biggest challenge is facilitating transportation of horses across borders. It is therefore important that we continue our efforts with the World Organisation for Animal Health [OIE] to make our High Health High Performance [HHP] horse concept operational.

"Over the next five years, major sporting events including a number of 5* competitions, and of course the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be hosted in Asia. The FEI is looking forward to further developing our sport as part of this new and closer cooperation with the AEF, creating more opportunities for high profile equestrian events to be staged across the Asian continent and having more Asian athletes competing in our top competitions."

Photo caption: (pictured left to right) Sabrina Ibáñez, FEI Secretary General and FEI President Ingmar De Vos are pictured with Mr Sang Jin Park, Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) President, Korea National Federation President and President of Samsung Electronics and Mr Sunny Hwang, Secretary General of the AEF, Vice President of the Korea National Federation and Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing at Samsung Electronics at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AEF and FEI in Seoul (KOR).

FEI Photo Catalogue: Free images for editorial purposes are available from www.feiphotos.org

Notes to Editors

MOU overview:

The FEI decided in 2012 to use Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to better define its relationship with the different stakeholders. The MOUs cover universal issues such as FEI recognition, FEI Rules and Regulations, horse welfare, code of ethics, commitment to democratic processes, consultation, FEI General Assembly, FEI Sports Forum and meetings, governing law, dispute resolution, communication, and implementation. MOUs have already been signed with WHW, organisers and officials. Although recognition by the FEI does not entail voting rights at the FEI General Assembly, the MOUs formalise the relationship with the FEI, giving a voice to organisations working with the FEI in the development of equestrian sport.

About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.

The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para-Equestrian Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para-Equestrian Dressage and Para-Driving.

Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF): http://asianef.org

For more information, please contact:

Ruth Grundy

Manager Press Relations

ruth.grundy@fei.org

+41 78 750 61 45

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