The 49-year-old has been serving in the position on an interim basis ever since shifting from her former role as Director of Governance and Executive Affairs after the appointment of De Vos, who himself had previously been secretary general, last month.

But she has worked within the FEI since 1991 - save for a break between 1995 and 1998 - having held the positions of Human Resources, finance and administration coordinator, sports administrator, and manager of the secretary general's office. 

Before joining, she also worked for Telecom Japan TV Productions and the International Swimming Federation.

"I am honoured and humbled by this appointment and I would like to thank the FEI President and Bureau members for their trust," she said.

"I have been with the FEI for a long time and have seen it grow and develop, I am very aware of the potential this great organisation has and am thrilled to play a part in its future.

"The FEI Family feels like a true family to me and I undertake this new challenge with joy and enthusiasm."

Sabrina Zeender will work alongside FEI President, and former secretary general, Ingmar De Vos ©FEI



Zeender holds a bachelor's degree in Science in Communications and History from Boston University and a diploma in Sociology, Politics and Management of Sport Science from the Universities of Lausanne, Leicester, and Montpellier.

A Swiss national of Salvadorian, American, and Austrian descent, she is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and will thus be a key asset as she works to expand the reach of equine sport, and continue the evolution enjoyed under former President Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

"I would like to warmly congratulate Sabrina on her appointment as FEI secretary general," said De Vos.

"She is the first woman to hold this key management position in the FEI and the fact that we have been able to fill such an important position in-house clearly demonstrates that the FEI has grown into a professional organisation with a highly qualified team.

"Sabrina's deep understanding of the FEI rules and regulations, of which she has a long experience, and her knowledge of equestrian sport will be invaluable in her new role and I would like to thank the FEI Bureau for their full support for this appointment.

"I proposed Sabrina on the basis of her qualifications but also for her unfailing work ethic, reliability, dedication, and team spirit, I am confident that Sabrina will do an outstanding job as the new FEI secretary general."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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