European Equestrian Federation partners with the European Olympic Committees

The European Equestrian Federation (EEF) is proud to have officially partnered with the European Olympic Committees EU Office (EOC EU Office).

The EOC is the umbrella body for Europe’s 50 National Olympic Committees and works to spread the Olympic values and inspire sport and healthy lifestyles across Europe. Thanks to the EU Office of the EOC, the organisation works to protect Europe’s leading role at the heart of global sport, and has built strong connections with European federations, government agencies and within the EU itself.

The EEF represents 40 European National Equestrian federations, working to maximize the potential and development of equestrianism throughout the continent. Through promoting the sport of equestrianism and its good practices, developing the sport across Europe, the EEF provides a collective European voice in the sport.

Through this partnership, the EOC EU Office gains an important new partner in European sport who is working to achieve many of the same aims. Being a partner of the EOC EU Office brings the EEF access to an experienced team who can provide expert advice on EU matters, with particular attention to funding opportunities, sport governance, and EU legislation related to sport.

The EEF operates an EU Working Group, led by Catherine Bonnichon-de Rancourt (Director of European and institutional affairs at the French Equestrian Federation / FFE), to explore key areas of interest for the equestrian industry and the EEF National Federation members.

This partnership will directly benefit the working group through enhanced monitoring of European policies (animal welfare, agriculture, sport) and the lobbying done directly or by the European Horse Network (EHN), of which the EEF is also a member. Working with the EOC can also strengthen the relationships with other sport federations or organisations which encounter the same issues too, especially in relation to the European sport model.

EEF President Theo Ploegmakers commented; “I am very proud of this new partnership, which brings the EEF closer to European sporting matters and provides a wealth of information to help us and our members. The EU offers many opportunities for sport, but also has the potential to impact us through legislation. This partnership with the EOC EU Office keeps us up to date on all these matters and provides a key ally as we navigate the future of equestrian sport in Europe”.

EOC President Spyros Capralos said; “We are very happy to welcome the European Equestrian Federation as the 33^rd partner of the EOC EU Office. Equestrian is a major Olympic sport, and partnering with its well-organised umbrella organisation will be very beneficial for the EOC EU Office team as well as its partner National Olympic Committees and federations.”