The Organizing Committee of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, France, has announced the appointment of the managers who will be in charge of the eight competition disciplines at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) flagship event. The discipline managers who have been appointed are:

• Jumping: Frédéric Morand, the technical manager of the Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux, France;
• Dressage and Para-Dressage: Didier Ferrer, the organizer of CDI3* Biarritz, France, and the various CDIs at Vidauban, France. He will be supported by a para-dressage specialist who will be joining the team shortly;
• Eventing: Jean-Marc Varillon, the technical director of the HSBC FEI Classics Les Etoiles de Pau, in Pau, France;
• Driving: Jean-Pierre Brisou, the organizer of CAI Compiègne, in Compiègne, France;
• Endurance: Nicolas Wahlen, the organizer of CEI1, 2, and 3* Compiègne;
• Vaulting: Philippe Rossi, the organizer of FEI European Open Vaulting Championships for Juniors and Seniors 2011 and the FEI World Vaulting Championships 2012 in Le Mans, France; and
• Reining: Michèle Pfender, an international judge since 2002.

"The FEI is delighted with these strong additions to the Organizing Team two and half years before the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy," FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said. "These well respected professionals have a lot of event organizing experience in their respective disciplines and we are looking forward to working closely with the Normandy team so that they can deliver an unforgettable event."

"Above and beyond their proven technical skills, the discipline managers have been selected for their enthusiasm and ability to share their wealth of experience and to work as a team," Fabien Grobon, managing director of the organizing committee commented. "They are also supportive of the core values of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. All of these factors have been instrumental in the recruitment process, which was done in close cooperation with the French Equestrian Federation."

The managers, who will be working under the leadership of sports director Laurent Cellier, will join the Normandy team next month at a three-day introduction seminar at which they will meet the FEI sports directors. The management team will also attend the London 2012 Olympic Games where they will have an opportunity to examine the technical and logistical aspects of hosting a major equestrian event, as well as and meeting the competing nations in Greenwich