SPAIN’s Marco Fuste, known for his extensive experience in the equestrian sporting sphere, including his tenure as FEI Jumping Director since 2021, passed away on January 5th 2023 from heart complications at the age of 60 years.

Fuste, an all-round sportsman, had a wealth of experience in the equestrian world which he gained through the many roles, from athlete to event organiser, chef d’équipe, as well as hands-on governance administrator both in and out of the equestrian sphere.

He served as chef d’equipe for the Spanish team from 2006 to 2021 and was a recipient of hte Gold Medal of the Real Federación Hípica Española in 2009, the Federation’s highest distinction.

During his time at the FEI, Fuste oversaw the full revision of the FEI Jumping Rules, the successful delivery of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to Covid-19, the delivery of FEI World Championships, World Cup and Nations Cup Finals among thousands of events around the world. He prioritised consultation, was always reachable and worked closely with the FEI Jumping Committee and Chair Stephan Ellenbruch (GER) to ensure the different stakeholders within the community understood the decisions, the reasoning and the decision-making process.

“The FEI and the greater equestrian community have lost a true friend, loyal equestrian, mentor and aficionado,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “Marco always gave it his all – he was not one for half measures or taking the easy option – and everyone respected him for his tenacity, his integrity and his good business sense.

“Marco was true to his convictions and was always true to himself. He was passionate about the sport and about the people, rational beyond measure and simply a wonderful human being. His generosity and thoughtfulness, as well as his wise insights and remarkable ability to recall and recount countless anecdotes, made him memorable and colourful at every encounter.

“Marco said that to be appointed FEI Jumping Director was his dream job, and for us, he was our dream candidate – passionate, experienced, knowledgeable, genuine, caring, determined and driven to do the right thing for the sport and for the people in the sport.

“We will miss him dearly at the FEI, and I know the entire community is also mourning his loss and everything he stood for.”

The FEI extended its deepest condolences to his wife Isa, his daughter Ainhoa, his father, extended family, the Spanish equestrian community and all who knew him. May he rest in peace.