The European Equestrian Federation (EEF) has announced that President Theo Ploegmakers will be stepping down from his position on April 1, 2025, due to health-related reasons. Ploegmakers has been a key figure in European equestrian sport since 2018, focusing on sporting excellence and horse welfare during his tenure.

During his time as President, Ploegmakers has worked to unite the European equestrian community and promote cooperation between federations of all sizes. He has prioritized horse welfare while also driving the sport’s growth and success across Europe.

Ploegmakers’ leadership has seen the establishment of welfare monitoring systems, transparent training practices, and the creation of the Longines EEF Series. His dedication to equine welfare and responsible practices has set new industry standards and benefited European equestrianism for generations to come. The EEF Board will determine the process for succession following Ploegmakers’ resignation, with gratitude for his exceptional leadership and service.