The FEI Secretary General, Sabrina Ibáñez, brings more than three decades of institutional experience to a presidential contest that could reinforce the growing prominence of women in international sports leadership.
With just one month remaining before the presidential election of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Sabrina Ibáñez, representing El Salvador, is emerging as the leading contender to succeed Ingmar de Vos. Her extensive institutional experience and the growing prominence of female leadership across the Olympic Movement strengthen her profile ahead of the 5 December vote in Jiangyin, China.
Ibáñez, who has served as FEI Secretary General since 2014, is one of three candidates seeking to succeed De Vos, whose 12-year presidency will conclude in December. Her opponents are FEI Vice-President Jack Huang, representing Chinese Taipei, and Canadian businessman and former FEI Vice-President Mark Samuel.
More than three decades of institutional experience
Having joined the FEI in 1991, Ibáñez brings more than 35 years of experience within the organisation. She served as Director of Governance and Executive Affairs from 2011 until her appointment as Secretary General in December 2014. Her understanding of the federation’s administration, governance structures, international relationships and decision-making processes provides a strong foundation for her presidential ambitions.
Her campaign also emphasises continuity and strategic development, with priorities including equine welfare, greater opportunities for developing equestrian nations and increased youth participation. Ibáñez advocates evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of the federation’s existing strategic and horse welfare plans, while seeking to make international competitions more accessible to athletes from countries with fewer resources.
Female leadership gains ground in international sport
Beyond her institutional experience, Ibáñez’s candidacy comes at a time when female leadership is gaining greater visibility across international sport. The election of Kirsty Coventry as the first female President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March 2025 established a historic precedent for the Olympic Movement. An Ibáñez victory would reinforce this trend, returning a woman to the FEI Presidency for the first time since 2014, following the tenures of Princess Anne, Infanta Pilar de Borbón and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein.
Her contribution to gender equality extends beyond the FEI. Ibáñez has chaired the Gender and Diversity Commission of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and participated in the IOC’s Gender and Diversity Working Group. She has also served as founding President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO), strengthening her experience in international sports governance.
Three candidates with different priorities
Her two opponents offer different leadership profiles. Huang, FEI Vice-President since 2019 and Chair of Regional Group VIII, covering Asia and Oceania, since 2016, has focused his campaign on supporting developing equestrian nations, reducing participation costs and introducing digital tools. Samuel, meanwhile, spent 12 years on the FEI Board, including two terms as Vice-President, and is promoting a programme centred on financial discipline, commercial growth and governance.
While both candidates bring considerable experience, Ibáñez’s long-standing involvement in the federation and her international leadership roles have positioned her as the frontrunner. The final decision will rest with the FEI’s member national federations, which must weigh the candidates’ competing visions on issues including financial sustainability, wider participation and equine welfare when they vote in Jiangyin on 5 December.
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