7:51PM BST 12 Aug 2014
Wife of Sheikh Mohammed gives up her post after two four-year terms to focus on humantiarian work in Gaza and her family
In a shock move with long-term ramifications for the sport, Princess Haya of Jordan will not seek a third term as president of the International Equestrian Federation.
National federations hoped they had changed her mind at the extraordinary general assembly in April, where amended FEI statutes eased her path to remain in charge.
But although the last 18 months of here second four-year term have been blighted by the endurance controversy, involving stables owned by her husband Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, she cited even more personal reasons for her decision. The political situation in the Middle East, her heavy involvement in the humanitarian work for Gaza and devotion to her children have all been pivotal to what she described as the “hardest decision” of her life.
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