The Caribbean is gaining a stronger presence in international equestrian sport following the historic appointment of Heidi Lalor to the prestigious FEI Solidarity Committee.
The announcement was confirmed during the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong, where Lalor secured a seat representing FEI Group IV, a region that includes Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Her appointment places her alongside representatives from countries including Qatar, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Finland, and Guatemala.
This marks the first time Jamaica has earned representation on the committee, building on a growing Caribbean presence in global equestrian governance that has previously included Haiti, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.
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Lalor’s appointment follows five years of leadership at the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica, during which she helped strengthen training programmes, expand educational initiatives, and maximize the use of international development grants. Her tenure also contributed to increased volunteerism, sponsorship engagement, and broader participation in World Challenge competitions across the region.
According to Lalor, the appointment reflects both the Caribbean’s growing momentum and its alignment with international equestrian development initiatives, including the Racehorse Retraining Programme and the FEI Eventing World Challenge.
She also highlighted the wider regional progress taking place throughout the Caribbean. Barbados now holds representation at the FEI Board level, while Trinidad and Tobago continues to perform consistently in Olympic disciplines using locally trained horses. Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the Bahamas are advancing their own FEI Solidarity projects to expand development opportunities within the sport.
Lalor described the appointment as both professional and deeply personal, noting that she herself benefited from FEI-supported coaching and training programmes throughout the Caribbean beginning in 2003. These initiatives, she explained, helped athletes while also strengthening governance and administrative standards among regional federations.
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In her new role, Lalor will work closely with Ingmar De Vos and the FEI leadership team to support funding allocation, expand development opportunities, and contribute to shaping the future of equestrian sport globally.
Looking ahead, her priorities include improving regional standards, increasing access to on-island development programmes, and expanding certification opportunities for coaches and officials across the Caribbean. She also emphasized the importance of strong governance structures in creating long-term sustainability and attracting continued international support.
While challenges remain—particularly in bridging the gap between grassroots participation and elite international competition—Lalor believes initiatives such as the FEI World Challenge Series can help create stronger pathways for Caribbean athletes.
Beyond competition, she hopes her appointment inspires the next generation of riders, coaches, and administrators throughout the region by demonstrating that Caribbean representation at the highest levels of international sport is increasingly possible.
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