Sabrina Ibañez is the first woman to have ever faced the challenge of becoming the Secretary-General of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in 2015. Her remarkable, indelible mark on fostering widespread participation and representation of minorities is her most poignant accomplishment. By embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), her work has triggered immense growth and progression for the sport, hailing her as a pioneering figurehead.
By devising groundbreaking EDI strategies as well as gathering profound admiration from within the equestrian community, Ibañez has impeccably redefined inclusivity. For future generations, her mission to battle injustice will remain strong, having shaped the course of equestrianism for centuries ahead.
Sabrina Ibáñez empowering women in equestrian sports
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“Empowering women within equestrian sports is not only about equality but also about driving innovation and progress,” says Sabrina Ibáñez says to host Tom Bassam during the SportsPro Podcast. Under her pioneering guidance, the FEI has made it its priority to nourish female empowerment both on and off the field.
The federation has taken stringent steps to diversify its leadership, which has seen an upsurge in the total number of female applicants for technical roles, comprising an escalating percentage of 40%. Ibáñez strongly stands for a progressively inclusive and legitimate board, appreciating the necessity of multiple viewpoints in this current era of continuous development.
The FEI is taking unprecedented measures to support and acknowledge female riders. Maternity leave policies are now in effect, allowing for a break in ranking points during designated leave. Women staff members can look forward to a generous six months of maternity leave, emphasizing the FEI’s dedication to diversity and gender equity.
This innovation strives to offer an equal playing field for all participants in equine sports, underscoring respect for women everywhere. Furthermore, with purpose and dedication, The FEI established the Para-Equestrian Digest to further celebrate para-athletic events.
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Celebrating para-athletes and LGBTQ+ Inclusion
“Para-athletes and LGBTQ+ individuals play a crucial role in enriching the equestrian community, and their contributions deserve recognition and celebration,” says Sabrina Ibáñez. By employing this digital platform, para-athletes can share their personal narratives and inspire a heightened understanding of para-competition while also preserving a meaningful connection with their horses. The platform allows these triumphant riders to continue to participate in the Paralympics and beyond, bringing joy and joyousness to these valued competitions.
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In this venture, President Alvaro Ibáñez is making waves by launching activities such as online events, thus further reaffirming their commitment to efficient equality and respect for all. Refuting outdated ideals, they propose a peculiar message of diversity, inspiring people to challenge accepted standards of gender and ethnicity.
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