Diana al Shaer has won the vote to become chair of the FEI Dressage Committee at the 2025 FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong on 7 November 2025.
Al Shaer beat German candidate Klaus Roeser with 62.16% of the votes in her favour. She has been appointed chair for the four-year term 2025-2029. She succeeds Maribel Alonso (MEX) who declined to run for a second term.
Democratic Voting System
The Russian born Palestinian Grand Prix rider Diana al Shaer had a steep hill to climb against the highly experienced Roeser, who was the preferred candidate for the position by the International Dressage Riders Club and European Equestrian Federation.
However, to determine the position one delegate of each national equestrian federations attending the FEI General Assembly get to cast one vote according to the democratic system, which the FEI is complied to follow as a Swiss based federation and institution.
This means that nations with zero dressage riders have an equal vote to countries such as Germany, U.S.A., Denmark, Great Britain, ec.
The total possible votes was 84 and 74 valid votes were cast. Diana won the vote with 46 votes in her favour, while Roeser received 28 votes.
Joy and Disappointment
Al Shaer took to Instagram after winning the vote.
"With heartfelt appreciation and a keen awareness of the responsibilities this position entails, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all my colleagues and friends who supported me during this journey and encouraged me to take this step," Diana wrote. "'I would also like to express my respect for fellow candidate Klaus Roeser for his expertise and contributions to dressage development. I believe that as a dressage community, we need to work together toward shared goals - creating a sustainable and promising future for our discipline while ensuring the welfare of our horses and all stakeholders involved."
Roeser expressed his disappointment to German journalist Kim Kreling.
"After the many discussions on site in Hong Kong, the presentation rounds in the eight regional groups and their positive feedback in advance and the full support of the riders, I was very surprised and also disappointed by the result."
Roeser is also chair of the German dressage team selection committee and will continue to work for the sport. His focus lies on "the use of artificial intelligence to make our sport more transparent and even fairer. The creation of a transparency register for judges and maintaining the curb in top sport."
Further Appointments
Peter Storr (GBR) was re-appointed as a member of the FEI Dressage Committee for the four-year term 2025-2029.
Marco Orsini (GER) was appointed as a member of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee for the four-year term 2025-2029
Related Links
Klaus Roeser VS Diana al Shaer: IDRC Endorses Roeser, Diana Could Be Strong with Developing Nations
Diana Al Shaer and Klaus Roeser Run for Chair of FEI Dressage Committee
Maribel Alonso Declines to Run for Second Term as FEI Dressage Committee Chair
Maribel Alonso Elected Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee 2021 - 2025