Former Volvo chairman Pehr Gyllenhammar, who presided over creation and growth of the FEI Jumping World Cup series, has died at the age of 89.
Pehr Gyllenhammar
The series’ initial season was launched in 1978. The first final was held in 1979 at the Scandinavium arena in Gyllenhammar’s native Gothenburg, where Volvo has its headquarters. The Swedish city would to host 15 FEI World Cup™ Finals.
Gyllenhammar, who held the key position at the Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation from 1970 to 1994, put his support behind the Cup series. Volvo became the title sponsor of the qualifiers in all the Leagues and Finals until 1998. Believing that dressage would be a perfect complement to the jumping, in 1990 Volvo became the title sponsor of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ until 1998.
“The FEI is infinitely grateful to Pehr G. Gyllenhammar for his support with the creation of one the FEI’s most important series. Volvo’s sponsorship continued for 20 years and laid the foundation for the successful worldwide series the FEI Jumping World Cup has become today. He was also a great proponent of the FEI World Equestrian Games, the first edition of which was held to general acclaim in the Swedish capital Stockholm,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.