FEI appoints Todd Hinde as new Director of Jumping

In a press release yesterday evening, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) announced that Australia's Todd Hinde, has been appointed as the new FEI Director of Jumping. This significant appointment is a huge honour for not only Todd but for Australian Equestrian Sport as a whole.

Todd has been a valued part of the Equestrian Australia Team since he took on the role of the Chef d’équipe in 2017 for the Australian Jumping Team in the build up to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon which proved very successful, with the Australian team placing sixth overall and securing Olympic qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

But it is more than just his successful tenure as Chef and since 2019, High Performance Jumping Manager, that has made Todd such a significant part of the showjumping community. It would be a rare show in Sydney over the past few years that you wouldn't see Todd, when not engaged in official duties, helping the organising committee in whatever way was needed, from coordinating presentations to providing an entertaining commentary to spectators (not his favourite role, but one he is very good at). However, it is safe to say that what will be missed most on Australian soil will be his smile and his ability to make everyone feel welcome.

“We are delighted to welcome Todd Hinde to the FEI,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “After the sad passing of former Jumping Director and friend Marco Fusté earlier this year, we conducted an extensive recruitment process, which was open to candidates worldwide. Todd came on top as the obvious choice given his success as an athlete, chef d’équipe, and administrator." “His Australian roots, international experience, and dynamic outlook will undoubtedly prove hugely beneficial as he prepares to pick up where Marco left off, and create a new legacy for the future of FEI Jumping” said Ibáñez.

Todd joins the FEI at a crucial moment for the sport of Jumping, with preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in full swing alongside the imminent re-launch of the FEI’s oldest and most prestigious series - the Longines League of Nations – in 2024, and the emergence of new nations and regions at the top level, among others.

Newly appointed FEI Director of Jumping, Todd Hinde said "It is with great honour that I take up this position in the sport that I am so passionate about, I look forward to working with the FEI Team and all the sport’s stakeholders, to ensure that we continue to develop the discipline of Jumping together with integrity and horsemanship at the core of all endeavours.”

Todd will start at the FEI in his new role based in Switzerland in September and we are sure you will all join us in wishing him the very best for the exciting road ahead.