Dubai: International sports personalities paid glowing tributes to FEI Honorary President Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain for the priceless services she rendered to the governing body of equestrian sports.

Earlier last week, Princess Haya, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stepped down from her position after eight years in office.

Newly-elected FEI President Ingmar De Vos, who was appointed FEI Honorary President with the unanimous approval of the FEI General Assembly last Sunday, led the praise.

“Princess Haya is a visionary who has transformed the FEI into a modern, transparent, agile and highly respected sports organisation over the past eight years,” De Vos said in an FEI press release. “Thanks to her energy and commitment, the FEI is a valued member of the Olympic movement.

“The FEI Solidarity programme, based on the hugely successful Olympic Solidarity model to help the development of equestrian sport globally and, in particular the National Federations with the greatest need, is now fully operational. In the last few years the FEI has signed very valuable long-term commercial partners, including the Swiss watchmaker Longines. The contribution made by Princess Haya to equestrian sport is immeasurable.”

Jacques Rogge, Honorary IOC President, summed up Princess Haya’s commitment to the Olympic Movement in a special video message played during the FEI Awards Gala 2014 presented by Longines last weekend: “Your Royal Highness, may I thank and congratulate you on your great leadership at the head of the FEI.

“As a President and as an Olympian, you put the safety and welfare of riders and horses first, and have extensively supported emerging countries.

“In close collaboration with the IOC, the equestrian events at the Games have contributed very much to the success of the overall Olympic programme. You creatively broke new ground with the Youth Olympic Games.

“I want to thank you very much for the invaluable support you gave to the IOC, both as an IF President and as an IOC member. You have the elegance and wisdom to leave at the peak of your career. I know that your great passion for sport will not fade away and that you will continue your splendid humanitarian work for the United Nations. I wish you a happy life and success in all your endeavours.”

IOC President Thomas Bach echoed his predecessor’s sentiment in a personal letter to Princess Haya sent on the day she stepped down as FEI President.

The IOC President, who presented Princess Haya with the Trophy of the International Olympic Committee during last week’s IOC Session in Monaco, said: “You have had an exceptional journey within the international equestrian community both as an athlete and as a leader at the FEI.

“Your role as an IOC member and on the IOC Athletes’ Commission has enabled athletes to have an important voice within the Olympic Movement and we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your invaluable contribution and numerous achievements during your term as President of the FEI.”

Princess Haya, who represented her native Jordan in Jumping in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, was elected FEI President in 2006.

She became the 13th and third consecutive female FEI President, and the second female FEI President to have competed as an Olympic equestrian athlete.