Very sadly, FEI Jumping Director Marco Fusté has passed away at the age of 60, the Spanish Equestrian Federation announced last night. 

“The terrible news of Marco Fusté's death fills the Spanish equestrian community with mourning, and the RFHE joins the pain of his family and all his friends – which many of us also are. Your indelible memory will always remain with us, Marco!” the Spanish Equestrian Federation wrote in a statement on their website, released on Thursday night.

Fusté was appointed FEI Jumping Director at the end of 2020 and started up in the position on 1 February 2021, after having served as Jumping Director at the Spanish Equestrian Federation and Chef d’Equipe of the Spanish jumping team since 2006. From 2011 to 2015, Fusté also served as a member of the FEI Jumping Committee. He was also a member of the European Equestrian Federation Jumping and Nations Cup working groups, and worked at both the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 and at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Jerez in 2002. Fusté was a recipient of the Spanish Equestrian Federation's Gold Medal, which is its highest distinction.

Rodrigo Pessoa, FEI Athlete Representative for the jumping riders, has been among those honouring Fusté’s memory – and wrote: “Marco was a good guy, a passionate horse enthusiast. Always friendly and ready to debate how to improve our sport. Nos vas a hacer mucha falta hasta luego Marco RIP.”

In a statement, the International Jumping Riders Club wrote: "The IJRC is extremely sad to hear that FEI Jumping Director Marco Fusté died today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

At World of Showjumping, our deepest condolences go out to Fusté's family and friends in this difficult time.