Almost 18 months ago, Todd Hinde left his position as the highly regarded High Performance Jumping Manager at Equestrian Australia and stepped into the role of Director of Jumping for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

This move marked a significant shift in his professional journey but also involved adapting to a new cultural landscape in Switzerland.

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Moving to Lausanne, Todd has encountered a range of lifestyle changes and cultural adaptations. While the FEI’s primary language is English, living in a predominantly French-speaking area has motivated him to take up French lessons. He shared that while the process is slow, he is committed to learning and integrating into his new environment. “It’s definitely been a massive cultural change!” Todd remarked,

His role as FEI Director of Jumping involves extensive travel, not just within Europe but also to the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia and Todd is really enjoying engaging with a diverse array of stakeholders in the sport.

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One of the most invigorating aspects of Todd’s new role is the variety it offers; no two days are the same. His responsibilities encompass managing the rules of international Jumping, overseeing the education of officials, and collaborating with organising committees to ensure high standards at events. “Every international schedule is signed off by me,” said Todd as he explained that this level of oversight reflects the importance of maintaining the integrity and quality of Jumping events worldwide.

Despite the scale of his new role, Todd finds similarities between his past experiences in Australia and his current position. The core elements of stakeholder management and interaction remain constant, though the scope is vastly broader. “Our athletes are our number one stakeholders, so we work very closely with the International Jumping Rider’s Club along with our International Grooms Association, International Jumping Officials Club and our Jumping Owners Club.”

Above: Todd with the Australian Jumping Team at the 2022 World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

Todd joined the FEI at a crucial time for the sport, with preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in full swing alongside the imminent re-launch of the FEI’s oldest and most prestigious series – the Longines League of Nations.

A highlight of Todd’s role was the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games, where he played an important role in ensuring the venue met the necessary standards. He described the experience of being at the iconic Versailles venue as “amazing” and highlighted the hard work that went into preparing for what he believes was one of the most memorable Olympic Games in history.

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“There was a tremendous amount of work leading into the Games. We collaborated closely with the organising committee to ensure that the venue in Versailles was not only completed but also met the high standards required for the Games. Being in front of the palace was nothing short of iconic. The atmosphere was electric, with the technical team working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the event to life. From a horse perspective, this was one of the most extraordinary Olympics; the horses had the chance to graze in the beautiful surroundings under the shady trees, and the stables were incredible. The experience of athletes entering the field of play and gazing down the canal towards the palace was unforgettable. I believe these Olympics will be remembered as one of the best in history. The excitement during the eventing cross-country day, with crowds cheering as horses galloped over the canal, was phenomenal. Finishing with the Jumping competition, witnessing the team competition and the thrilling jump-off for gold, silver, and bronze was simply remarkable.”

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As Todd navigates his new role, he reflected on what he misses about Australia, particularly the warmth of its culture. “There’s nothing better than being able to say hello to someone, even a stranger, and strike up a conversation,” he reminisced and he certainly misses the Australian sun during the cold Swiss winters!

Todd’s transition to the role of FEI Director of Jumping is a testament to his dedication to the sport he loves and his ability to adapt to new challenges. The Jumping community is certainly very fortunate to have him in this role and we wish him continued success into the future.

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