In Memoriam: Daddy Stibbe

Daddy Stibbe, former member of the FEI Eventing Committee (1982-87), has passed away at home in Vught (NED). He was 93.

Born in 1922, Daddy Stibbe was a fan of equestrian sport from a young age as he grew up in Amsterdam. He was one of the founding members of the famous Indoor Brabant and was President of the show from 1967 to 1972. He also founded the horse trials known as Outdoor Helvoirt.

He was also a successful businessman, building up the family business NV Bloch & Stibbe Hollandia shoe factories, but his real passion was Eventing. His son Eddy became a successful international rider, winning individual bronze for the Netherlands at the 1993 FEI European Eventing Championships in Achselschwang (GER).

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In 2000, in recognition of their services to the sport of Eventing, Daddy and Eddy Stibbe were honoured by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee with the Olympic Order.

Daddy Stibbe, who held many committee and board positions through his long and distinguished years of service, was a member of the FEI Eventing Committee from 1982-87, and was also Chef d’Equipe of the Dutch Eventing team for a number of years.

“Daddy Stibbe was a larger than life character and loved the sport of Eventing with a true passion. He was a familiar figure known to all, cruising around the events on his bike when Eddy was riding”, FEI Eventing & Olympic Director Catrin Norinder said. “As an FEI Eventing Committee member he contributed greatly to forming the modern sport. He will be missed by all his many friends in the international Eventing community”.

“Daddy was an integral part of the Eventing world in many different roles”, New Zealand’s double Olympic gold medallist Mark Todd said. “It was always a pleasure to catch up with him at events and share stories. He had a wicked and very dry sense of humour. He will be very much missed but very fondly remembered.”

Hugh Thomas, Director of Badminton Horse Trials, said: “Daddy was a huge enthusiast for the sport. He travelled to all the major events and was an articulate advocate for the less developed nations when he was a member of the FEI Committee. He will be missed by many.”

The FEI extends its sincere condolences to Daddy Stibbe’s family, his wide circle of friends, to the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.

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