THREE Olympians and one Paralympian have been elected to join the FEI Athletes’ Committee, voted in by their peers through an online vote.

Jumping athlete Cian O’Connor (IRL), Dressage rider Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (ESP) and Eventing athlete William Fox-Pitt (GBR) join German Paralympian Angelika Trabert on the Athletes’ Committee, together with newly crowned FEI World Equestrian Games™ Vaulting champion Kristina Boe (GER), Endurance athlete Taker Taher (KSA) and Reining athlete Francesca Sternberg (GBR).

Voting for the Driving athlete representative has resulted in a tie between Marieke Harm (GER) and Jambor Vilmos (HUN).

As a result, a second round of voting will be held online from October 1st-10th. The Driving athlete representative will be announced on 12 October.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The Athletes’ Committee members, who have been elected for a period of four years, also serve on the Technical Committees for each discipline governed by the FEI.

A total of 52 athletes from 26 countries on five continents stood for election, which was conducted via a secure online voting platform, where the CVs of all athlete candidates were made available.

This was the second time in the FEI’s history that athlete elections have been held, marking a 100% increase in participation in numbers of candidates and a 160% increase in terms of nations compared to 2014.

“The athletes’ viewpoint is central to the global decision making process,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“This is a committee made up of athletes and voted for by athletes. The calibre and experience of the newly elected Athletes Committee is impressive and will ensure that the global athletes’ community has its say and actively contributes to the development of equestrian sport.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Athletes’ Committee members for their tremendous work and support these past four years.”

The newly elected Athletes’ Committee members, who take office now, are: