Ethical training on the agenda as dressage's future discussed

Delegates at an FEI meeting agreed the actions that should be taken to move the sport forward.

- ELEANOR JONES

MANDATORY trainer registration, defining ethical methods and better communication were some of the actions agreed on at the FEI dressage stakeholder meeting on 1 October.

A group including representatives of the international riders, officials' and trainers' clubs, and members of the FEI riders', para dressage and veterinary committees were among those at the FEI's Swiss headquarters last week. Media were not allowed to attend, and national federations were not invited.

H&H reported that a meeting was to be held to address concerns in the sport; the FEI said it would include "in-depth discussions on addressing the challenges currently impacting the discipline of dressage".

A spokesperson for the FEI said those at the meeting "have reaffirmed the core objectives of dressage".

"The aim is that through balanced and systematic education, horses are trained and ridden to be calm, supple, flexible, confident, and responsive, fostering a deep and positive connection with the rider," he said.