The FEI’s (international equestrian federation) popular director of show jumping, Marco Fuste, has died of a heart attack at age 60.
Marco Fuste.
He suffered the attack a few days ago and succumbed January 5.
Before he went to the FEI, he was chef d’equipe of the Spanish showjumping team and director of show jumping for the Spanish equestrian federation.
When Marco was appointed to the FEI post in December 2020, he called it, “absolutely my dream job.
“Horses and equestrian sport, particularly jumping, have been a part of my life for so long and I see this new role as the pinnacle of my career. Jumping is already the FEI’s largest discipline and, while I know the challenges involved, I also see great opportunity for further expansion, particularly in South America, so that we can develop the sport more broadly. I can’t wait to get started.”
Lisa Roskens, who brought the FEI World Cup finals to Omaha in 2017, with a return to that city slated this April, noted, “He was that special combination of knowledgeable but collaborative and provided us with great guidance as we prepare for the World Cup finals this year.”
Lizzy Chesson, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s managing director of show jumping, called Marco, “a good friend and an outstanding human being; but i am sure there are many around the globe saying exactly the same thing at this very sad moment.
“Marco was a friend and a mentor to so many and dedicated to equestrian sport and jumping in particular. As a chef d’equipe, he wore his passion on his sleeve and he has, in my firm opinion, been doing an amazing job in the very challenging role of FEI director of jumping,” she continued.
Marco Fuste, left, in his role as chef d’equipe with Spain’s 2018 winning Nations Cup team at Gijon, Spain. (1Clicphoto)
“I will always laugh when I think back to his ability to `embellish’ the English language when there were things going wrong or people making poor decisions. Most of all, I will remember a warm human being who I will miss greatly.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and also with FEI family, who have lost one of the good ones’.”
During his time at the FEI, Marco oversaw the full revision of the FEI jumping rules, the successful delivery of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to Covid-19, and the FEI World Championships, World Cup and Nations Cup Finals. He worked closely with FEI Jumping Committee and Chair Stephan Ellenbruch (GER) to ensure the different stakeholders within the community understood the decisions, the reasoning and the decision-making process.
His eclectic background began in 1986 as event manager at the Spanish sports events company Organización y Gestión Deportiva S.A, before spending nine years with the World League of American Football, NFL Europe and NFL Europe League. Marco would go on to the tennis world, becoming general manager at the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, during which Spain scored its first Davis Cup victory.
“The FEI and the greater equestrian community have lost a true friend, loyal equestrian, mentor and aficionado,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“Marco always gave it his all–he was not one for half measures or taking the easy option–and everyone respected him for his tenacity, his integrity and his good business sense.”