Luiz Vaz de Almada, President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation since 2004, passed away on 16 October of a heart attack. For the last 50 years, Mr Vaz de Almada was one of equestrian sport’s leading personalities in Portugal. He was involved in the sport as a rider, FEI judge and horse designer, organiser of CSIO 4* Lisbon, breeder, President of the Sociedade Hipica Portuguesa for 20 years and President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, a position to which he was elected until 2012.

“Mr Luiz Vaz de Almada will be remembered for his passion and great devotion to equestrian sport both at home and internationally,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said. “He was instrumental in the organisation of such major events as the European Endurance Open Championships, Portugal as Country Theme at CSIO Aachen, and the FEI General Assembly in Estoril on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the National Federation in 2007. Our sincerest condolences go to Mr Vaz de Almada’s family, the Portuguese National Federation and the country’s equestrian community.”