Pierre Genecand, 64, is proposed by the Swiss Equestrian Federation. A businessman, banker and insurance broker by profession, Genecand served as president of the Geneva International Horse Show from 1989 to 2003. He has been a member of the board of the World Cup of Horsemanship, the Alliance of Jumping Organisers, and the Committee of Swiss Top Sports. He is the current president of the Polo Club Gstaad and the Hublot Polo Gold Club.
Ulf Helgstrand, 63, is proposed by the Danish Equestrian Federation. A medical doctor by profession, Helgstrand is a professor of vascular surgery. He has served as President of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003. He was board member and Vice President of the Danish Warmblood Association for 10 years and currently serves as Vice President and charter member of the European Equestrian Federation. Helgstrand is a former dressage rider and has run a stud with several approved dressage stallions since 1991.
John McEwen, 69, is proposed by the British Equestrian Federation. A qualified veterinary surgeon with wide international experience, McEwen served as veterinary surgeon to the British Jumping and Dressage teams, working at eight Olympic Games up to and including London 2012, and at all editions of the FEI World Equestrian Games. He was vice chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee from 1999 to 2003 and has been the Committee’s chair since 2006.
He also currently chairs the FEI Prohibited Substances List and Laboratory Groups. McEwen has served on an advisory panel for the charity World Horse Welfare for more than 15 years. He represents the FEI at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) specialising in horse transport issues and on the International Sports Horse Confederation (IHSC). McEwen was appointed FEI 1st Vice President in 2010.
Pierre Durand, 59, is proposed by the French Equestrian Federation. Durand holds a degree in business law, is a former professional rider and wine grower. He won individual gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games with the 13-year old gelding Jappeloup. He also competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and, amongst numerous international and national titles, became European Jumping champion in 1987.
Durand was President of the French Equestrian Federation from 1993 to 1998. He has held various executive positions in the media industry and is currently chairman of the board of directors of the French National Institute for Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP).
Ingmar De Vos, 51, is proposed by the Belgian Equestrian Federation. De Vos holds degrees in political science, business administration and international and European law and started his career as an advisor to the Belgian Senate. He joined the Belgian Equestrian Federation as managing director in 1990, and held the additional role of Secretary General from 1997 to 2011.
He was Secretary General of the European Equestrian Federation from 2010, the year the organisation was formed, until 2011. During his time at the Belgian National Federation, De Vos was chef de mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all FEI World Equestrian Game from 1990 to 2010 and at several Olympic Games. De Vos has been FEI Secretary General since May 2011.
Chinch, immortal, is proposed by the United States Equestrian Federation. Well-known globetrotter and champion of free speech, he launched the #censoredbyBE campaign this year to speak out against British Eventing’s stifling social media policy. He’s traveled to some of the world’s most prestigious events, such as Rolex Kentucky, Luhmühlen, Badminton and the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Chinch plans to use his adoring fan base and Twitter account to implement widespread change in equestrian sports on a global level.
