Manifesto

To unleash the potential of the organization and the industry through transparency, engagement, respect, and focus.

- Mark Samuel

Dear National Federations and Friends,

It is with great excitement and humility that I introduce my vision for the future of our sport should I be elected as the next President of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

I have not taken the decision to run for President lightly. Propelled by a lifetime of Equestrian experience, a career as a leading Canadian businessman, and motivated by the strong foundation on which our sport stands, I wish to build upon the extraordinary legacy created over the past three terms by outgoing President Ingmar De Vos. Having served three full terms as an FEI Board member myself, including seven years as FEI Vice President to Mr. Ingmar De Vos, I witnessed first-hand the visionary leadership he brought to the role. It was Ingmar, with his openness to ideas and independent thought, who created fertile ground for individuals, myself included, to come forward and to give our best in service to the organization. I thank him for his steadfast support and friendship, and I stand ready to build upon his legacy.

My intent is to continue steering the FEI in the direction it is already traveling with sound leadership, integrity, and fiscal responsibility at the core of my approach. In doing so, I will be hands-on in the role, maintaining a residence near FEI Headquarters and making myself available to listen to concerns from all corners of the equestrian community.

As a lifelong competitor, breeder, and owner, I have a deep understanding of the complexities of a sport whereby the horse is our partner. At a time when welfare is central to our sport, our greatest responsibility lies in making the horse our priority in all decision making. We must always remember to keep the horse and the sport itself at the heart of our organization.

Having enjoyed a successful business career at the helm of a multi-billion dollar company, I look forward to bringing a proven track record of performance, accountability, integrity, leadership, consensus-building, and experience to the role of FEI President.

I invite you, my friends and colleagues, to read on and discover my vision for the future of our sport.