The FEI has appointed Molly Day (GBR) as Director of the Eventing & Driving Department, a newly created position following the strategic merger of the Eventing and Driving/Para Driving departments, a media release stated this week.
The merger, first announced in 2025, is now in effect as of January 2026, with the FEI saying the combined structure is intended to “capitalize on shared opportunities” across the disciplines and support their continued global growth. Molly will officially join the FEI on February 1 and will report to FEI Executive Director of Sport & Games Áine Power, according to the organization.
Molly arrives in Lausanne with a resume that’s heavy on major event operations, and that’s likely to catch the attention of eventing stakeholders worldwide.
Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI) in Lexington, Kentucky, overseeing the organization behind one of the sport’s seven CCI5* events (as well as the CCI4*-S and CSI5* show jumping that run alongside, in addition to multiple other events overseen by EEI at the Horse Park).
Before her U.S. chapter, Day held senior roles with The Jockey Club (UK), including General Manager of Haydock Park and Carlisle Racecourses. The FEI said her work at Haydock included leading a major racecourse operation, managing a capital investment project, strengthening stakeholder partnerships, and earning national recognition for customer experience. At Carlisle, she oversaw the venue’s reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Molly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Festival and Events Management from Edinburgh Napier University, the FEI noted, which could lend itself well to ensuring the ongoing future of eventing and driving competitions around the world.
In the FEI release, Molly emphasized the operational and people-facing side of the job—supporting the ecosystem around both sports:
“I am honored to take on the role of Director of the FEI’s merged Eventing & Driving Department,” she said. “Working with the talented team in Lausanne, I hope to strengthen connections across these two disciplines, support organizers, officials, and athletes, and help Eventing, Driving continue to grow sustainably at a global level.”
FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said Molly stood out during an international executive search for her leadership and sport knowledge:
“Throughout the recruitment process Molly has demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise, and deep knowledge of equestrian sport at the highest level… Molly’s proven leadership skills and strategic approach will be invaluable as she takes the helm of our newly merged Eventing and Driving Department.”
Why this matters for eventing
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Any time the FEI redraws its org chart, it’s not just internal — because department leadership influences the day-to-day realities of international sport: rules pathways, officials and organizer support, championship planning, calendar pressures, and long-term strategy (especially around sustainability and growth). And yes, the future of the sport itself within the holdings of the FEI.
The decision to merge the eventing and driving departments does not come without its skeptics and its opposers. EN was in the loop for several behind-the-scenes conversations that took place when this decision was quietly announced. Several eventing stakeholders penned letters to the FEI voicing their concerns in regard to the future of the sport. And, while combined driving has oft been referred to as eventing’s “sister sport” the very real differences between the sports, their numbers, their governance and their competitions exist. Putting one person in charge of both is a gamble, and we’ll be watching to see what plays out from here.
What to watch next
A few practical questions EN will be keeping an eye on as Molly steps into the role next month (and we have also requested an interview with Molly herself):
- How the merged department prioritizes resources across Eventing and Driving/Para Driving (and what “shared opportunities” actually looks like in practice).
- Support for organizers and officials, especially as costs, logistics, and staffing pressures continue to climb globally.
- Sustainability and safeguarding initiatives, two themes the FEI specifically highlighted in Molly’s governance work.
- Communication cadence — how quickly stakeholders feel the benefits (or growing pains) of the new structure during the 2026 season.
And also: who will be tapped to replace Molly as the CEO of EEI (and, by extension, of the Kentucky Three-Day Event)? The organization is in the process of finding a suitable next step, so we’ll anticipate news of that coming soon — especially as this year’s event looms at the end of April.
We’ll update as more details emerge about department structure, staffing, and near-term priorities once Molly begins her role in Lausanne on February 1, 2026.
