Saudi Equestrian to Fund FEI Nations’ Cup Series

The Saudi Equestrian Fund has agreed to finance the FEI Nations’ Cup series, drugs including a title sponsorship deal.

FEI President, drugs HRH Princess Haya, informed delegates that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will provide full financial support for the 2012 series and has also agreed to a five-year title sponsorship commencing in 2013, once the remodelling process has been finalised. 

The Saudi Equestrian Fund was created by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in November 2009 to give the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a lasting legacy in equestrianism through sport and cultural events.

“We believe this is a fantastic opportunity to preserve one of the flagship events and heritage of the FEI. We want to be part of the process that will enhance the Nations’ Cup concept, and help it become a truly global, contemporary product. The objective is to make the Nations’ Cup universal, fresh and exciting,” said HH Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Equestrian Board of Trustees.

Organisers of the eight FEI Nations’ Cup Top League events were informed at a meeting with the FEI in Geneva last December that a funding solution had been found for the series, but no details of the agreement were released at that time. The FEI has been in ongoing discussions with the Saudi Equestrian Fund to formalise the agreement since then, resulting in today’s announcement.

The Saudi Equestrian Fund will be part of discussions with the FEI on prize money, branding and revitalisation of the series, with the twin goals of improving the overall prize money for each event and the overall level of competition. As part of the restructuring of the series, the concept will be debated at this week’s Sports Forum, and the FEI will also create a dedicated E-platform to facilitate a transparent and open process, allowing stakeholders further opportunities to voice their opinions, and provide feedback and follow-up.