Marco Fusté had been appointed FEI Jumping Director on 1st of February 2021. His immense passion for horses and equestrian sports led him to become a leading personality in the sport thanks to his skills as an athlete, event organizer, chef d'équipe and other key positions he held.
In 2006 he became the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation’s Jumping Director and the Spanish Team’s chef d’équipe.
Between 2011 and 2015 he was a member of the FEI Jumping Committee and a member of the European Equestrian Federation, as well as part of the Jumping and Nations Cup task forces. He was also part of the working group for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and the FEI World Equestrian Games held in 2002 in Jerez.
As FEI’s Jumping Director, Marco was open to sport’s new prospects and always ready to discuss matters with riders to find common ground and solutions favorable to athletes that were also compatible with his responsibilities as Jumping Director.
Sincere and friendly cooperation has characterized Marco Fusté’s works as head of the Jumping Department. The debates were many and intense. He was a man who knew how to listen and was capable of understanding and followed up on the riders’ requests.
Marco Fusté died of heart complications on January 5th and is survived by his family and the very many friends and colleagues who have been part of his life and his career.
We at the IJRC and YRA saw him for the last time at our General Assembly in Geneva where together we discussed issues of the utmost importance for our sport, trusting in his experience and sensitivity as a great horseman.
Ever since he became Jumping Director, Marco regularly lectured young athletes at YRA educational session, providing them with precious advice for their future careers since he had great confidence in the capabilities of future generations.
His sudden death has left us all deeply shocked, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at such a difficult time.
“I feel particularly saddened by this great loss for the equestrian community. It was a pleasure to work with Marco and cooperation between IJRC, YRA and the FEI Jumping Department was extremely fruitful.
The dialogue established with Marco was always pleasant and he was attentive to the needs of all those involved as well as the athletes, giving great attention also to young talents; he was always ready to come up with quick-thinking solutions.
Yes, we will miss Marco both as the attentive official he was and as a friend. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his daughter Ainoa and all his family” comments Eleonora Ottaviani YRA President and IJRC Director.
Sven Holmberg, YRA Sport Manager and former FEI Vice President remembers Marco as a great gentleman. “For many years I have had the pleasure to know and work with Marco both in my time at FEI , when he often was leading the Spanish jumping team and, lately, in his capacity as Director of Jumping and a very good friend of YRA.
Marco Fuste came across as a positive and pragmatic “problem solver” in a difficult time. The Equestrian Sport has suffered a great loss”.
“Indeed he will be missed” also added Jean Maurice Bonneau who shared with him great years of sport while both Chef d’Equipe respectively for France and Spain.