Abu-Dayyeh has held her current position since 2017 and will now start in her new role at the FEI on April 1. 

During her time at the Jordanian National Federation, Abu-Dayyeh was responsible for the management of all equestrian disciplines in the country, as well as heading up the Organising Committees for the biggest equestrian events in Jordan across all disciplines. 

She also worked directly with the Ministry of Agriculture on all equestrian matters, including quarantine procedures, animal welfare and the import and export of horses.

Prior to taking on the role at the National Federation, she worked as a marketing and communications consultant at the Princess Alia Foundation, and Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife in Amman. 

Abu-Dayyeh has also been a research analyst at a political consulting start-up in Abu Dhabi, and worked in consulting and recruitment roles in Vancouver in Canada. 

She has strong endurance experience at a national and international level and says the discipline is her favourite. 

"One of my proudest achievements at the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation has been creating open lines of communication and the transparency that was needed to inspire the trust of the community and stakeholders, which ultimately gave me a credible voice to move the sport forward in Jordan," Abu-Dayyeh said. 

"Leaning in and actively listening to those in the field who have mastered so many elements of it kept me humble.

"I was aware that our endurance officials were having trouble fulfilling their crucial role of officiating at events and quickly realised that the main issue was miscommunication and the athletes' lack of education on the rules. 

"We made a huge effort to improve the knowledge base of our athletes, educating all stakeholders on the technical aspects of the sport and what it means to be a true horse person, with the result that numbers increased by over 120 per cent for our national rides.

"I believe that education and communication with the athletes and their entourage are key to improving horse welfare in the discipline internationally, continuing the fantastic work already done by the Endurance Temporary Committee."

An FEI Temporary Committee for the endurance discipline had been created in 2018 after the cancellation of the endurance riding event following confusing circumstances at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in the United States.

It was hoped the Temporary Committee could help solve issues such as welfare concerns and doping in the discipline.

A new Endurance Committee was populated during the FEI General Assembly and Board meeting last month.

The FEI has been actively seeking a replacement endurance director since March, when it was announced the endurance and driving department would be restructured to further streamline management of the discipline. 

Recruitment for the role was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Abu-Dayyeh will replace Portugal's Manuel Bandeira De Mello, who joined the FEI in 2014 as endurance director. 

He will stay on in the role until Abu-Dayyeh arrives and will remain at the FEI with the new title of driving, Para-driving and special projects.

"We are very happy to welcome Christina Abu-Dayyeh to the FEI to take on this really important role," said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez.

"The discipline of endurance needs strong governance and we are confident that Christina is the right person to deliver the right mix of firmness and tact. 

"She comes to us with a wealth of experience, not just in equestrian sport, but also in marketing and communications, skill sets that she will need for this post. 

"Her knowledge of our sport in the Middle East, where endurance is such a key part of the local culture, has given her a crucial insight and a vision that will undoubtedly benefit both the FEI and the discipline itself."

Abu-Dayyeh's addition will further improve the gender balance in the FEI management team, with seven females and eight males.