Currently, the horse world is experiencing turbulence with Scottish show jumper James Smith being the latest rider to be suspended over horse welfare concerns. In contrast, the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has taken steps to promote better practices within the industry.

The BEF, its 19-member bodies, and other industry leaders have united to launch a new initiative called ‘The Charter for the Horse’ to promote the highest standards in equine welfare and wellbeing.

Central to the charter are the ‘three Fs’: freedom, friends, and forage. Recent abuse allegations against several prominent dressage riders have sparked heightened concerns about animal welfare in dressage. Despite the FEI’s assurances of prioritising equine welfare, emerging studies and competitive trends unveil troubling discrepancies.

A 2024 study scrutinised 49 horse-and-rider pairs from 2018 to 2019 in the Grand Prix Special CDIO5* in Aachen, Germany. Examining factors such as head and neck position, oral behaviour, tail swishing, and conflict behaviours, the study revealed increased conflict and oral behaviours in horses ridden in a restrictive ‘behind the vertical’ outline during competition.

Furthermore, those consistently ridden behind the vertical scored higher than those with profiles in front of the vertical. With dressage judging coming under increased scrutiny, could technology have a more significant role in the future?

With the spotlight on training methods and equine welfare, AI can introduce objectivity and consistency to the evaluation process, offering a standardised approach that mitigates subconscious biases

Human judges

The potential integration of AI in dressage judging may go some way to addressing concerns about the subjective nature of human judges and the factors influencing their assessments. With the spotlight on training methods and equine welfare, AI can introduce objectivity and consistency to the evaluation process, offering a standardised approach that mitigates subconscious biases. However, whilst AI can assist in judging by detecting various aspects of dressage movements; replicating the nuanced understanding, emotional comprehension, and artistry of human judges would remain a significant challenge.

In racing, Ireland clinched the Prestbury Cup for the fifth consecutive year at the recent Cheltenham Festival, winning 18 out of 27 races. I was amused to read that in response to this achievement, British-based Grand National-winning trainer Richard Newland has suggested barring Irish-trained horses from running in UK races. As Ronan Groome explains in more depth opposite, Mr Newland has proposed allowing Irish entries only once a year. A backhanded compliment, if ever there was one.