Charlotte Dujardin. Cesar Parra. Andreas Helgstrand. Blue tongues and hyperflexion. The dressage world has been hit by a series of controversies and scandals that have caused concern far beyond the confines of the horse community, leading riders and the general public alike to question just how highly equestrians truly value horse welfare.

In the wake of that series of blows, the Fédération Equestre Internationale has announced an upcoming international stakeholders meeting “to kick off in-depth discussions on addressing the challenges currently impacting the discipline of dressage.”

“While the FEI fully recognizes the challenges currently facing the discipline of dressage and has worked to address issues as they have arisen, the primary focus in recent months has been on delivering key events, as well as a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, which has required considerable attention and resources,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said in a press release announcing the meeting. “Our goal now is to collaborate closely with all our stakeholders to address the challenges facing dressage. While many in our community recognize the urgency of the situation, others may not yet fully grasp the critical juncture at which equestrian sport currently stands.”

Those “challenges” largely revolve around allegations of horse abuse lodged against well-known riders and trainers. Allegations against the likes of Olympians Dujardin and Helgstrand have made international news, damaging public perception of the sport.

The FEI and other sport stakeholders, including national organizations like the U.S. Equestrian Federation and U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, in recent years have recognized the importance of social license to operate in ensuring the long-term future of competitive horse sports. 

“Many may not fully realize the scrutiny facing equestrian sport in general,” an FEI spokeswoman wrote in an email. “The fundamental nature of our activity is being questioned, with some individuals raising concerns about the necessity of riding horses. We are at a critical juncture, as there is significant opposition to our sport that some may not fully appreciate.”

Horse welfare is the focus of FEI initiatives like the 2022 establishment of its Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission, its Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan and campaigns, including “Be a Guardian,” launched during the Paris Olympics to reframe the way in which riders see their role in ensuring the happiness and well-being of the animals in their care.

The Oct. 1 meeting the FEI announced this week is another step in that process.

“Dressage has faced scrutiny for some time, following a number of alleged horse abuse cases which have damaged the public perception of the sport,” the spokeswoman wrote. “The challenges facing dressage are complex, so our goal is to first have an open conversation, without a fixed agenda, allowing us to collectively identify the key problems and start exploring potential solutions.”

The October meeting will bring together a small group of athletes, officials, veterinarians and other representatives from major equestrian stakeholder groups “with the expertise needed to help us address critical issues affecting the dressage discipline,” she said. “To foster open and candid discussions, we are keeping this group small and private. We will share the key outcomes with the broader community as soon as possible after the meeting.”

USEF chief marketing and content officer  Vicki Lowell said USEF will not have a delegate at the meeting, “however, we are supportive of the FEI starting the process with a small group of stakeholders and are confident that USEF will have an opportunity to provide input following preliminary discussions.”

One topic on the agenda for the October meeting will be an update on research and development initiatives at the FEI, including an ongoing “oral cavity study” of horses’ mouths. The study began with a literature review and is now in its second phase, which involves interviewing riders and veterinarians. The literature and interviews will be used to help draft protocols that can then be evaluated for implementation.

“The purpose of the oral cavity study is to develop a protocol for veterinarians that monitors the horses’ oral health to determine their fitness-to-compete at FEI competitions,” the FEI spokeswoman wrote. “While the study will look at factors such as bit usage, it will also consider ways of implementing the protocol effectively in all disciplines. The protocol aims to include advisory recommendations on individual horses, while collecting data for regulatory and educational purposes.”

De Vos, in announcing the meeting, emphasized the FEI’s commitment to prioritizing welfare.

“While the FEI is committed to seeking collective solutions and fostering consensus wherever possible, the safety and well-being of our horses remain our top priority,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that dressage is a discipline where the sport is conducted in a manner that focuses on the horse’s comfort.

“As the governing body, the FEI is prepared to take the necessary decisions to ensure that we are living up to our promise to ‘Be a Guardian’ for our equine partners, and to improve the standards of safety and care in our sport. We have shown in recent months that the FEI is ready to step in and take decisive action when the need arises.

“As the sport evolves, we must adapt and find effective solutions to current challenges. Our success depends on the community’s willingness to approach these issues with an open mind and work together toward common ground.”