Shaping the Future of Dressage: FEI Stakeholders’ Unified Vision
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) recently held a pivotal stakeholder meeting at their headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. With experts from the dressage world descending for focused discussions, the event was envisioned as the cornerstone of a brighter, more aligned future for the sport of dressage. Are these meetings a regular business, or is dressage finally getting its Cinderella moment? Let’s delve deeper!
Emphasizing Core Objectives for Dressage
The purpose of the meeting was to bring dressage back to its roots: the calm, supple, and confident horse working in harmony with its rider. Isn’t that just horsing around? Not quite. Discussions focused on training horses to be not just obedient but partners, embodying flexibility and responsiveness.
This all-encompassing approach ensures that high-stepping isn't accompanied by high stress. Implemented correctly, this means riding without the tension of a fiscal quarter-end and as seamless as changing television channels — the idealized version, at least.
Key Competencies and Animal Welfare
Diving into specifics, the focus was on competencies critical to dressage: smooth transitions, regular movement, and maintaining balance. All laudable goals, yet they ring even more optimistically against the backdrop of today's evolving dressage scene.
But wait, there’s more! The meeting attendees highlighted the role of horse breeding in shaping dressage. As if taken from a Fashion Week runway, these equine athletes often owe their grace and agility to curated genetics. Alongside, behavioral science and animal welfare were emphasized, anchoring this transformation within the FEI Equine Welfare Strategy.
Lessons from the Paris 2024 Games
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games served as significant catalysts for these deliberations. With a stage as grand as the Champs-Élysées, these events underscored foundational dressage challenges. There was a common realization: the sport must realign with its guiding principles to command public respect and love—not unlike a reality TV redemption arc.
In light of this, FEI Secretary-General Sabrina Ibáñez noted both the triumphs and trials of the Games. Realigning dressage is vital not just for the sport but also for restoring its radiance in the public eye. After all, dressage is about more than trotting in circles — it's a dance that requires finesse and adherence to the sport's historic purpose.
Proposed Changes: Standardizing for a Better Future
Words penned in a meeting room can sometimes do more than words written in stone. And no better example than the proposed changes. Among these, mandatory registration and certification for trainers were proposed to pave the path for accountability. A welcome thought—because who doesn’t appreciate a registered expert?
Ethical training methods and transparency became buzzwords during these discussions, drawing a line in the sand for maintaining integrity in dressage. Furthermore, a communications plan was outlined to enhance public engagement. With these strategies, dressage can be more than an insider's game; it can be understood and appreciated by a wider audience.
Collective Responsibility and Walking the Talk
Dressage isn't just about individual excellence; it’s about community commitment. Stakeholders recognized this shared responsibility, emphasizing a united front to channel this transformation.
FEI Dressage Director Ronan Murphy put it succinctly: having a vision is one thing, but scaffolding actions and adapting practices to meet emerging standards is another. Dressage isn’t about staying put; it's about moving forward—gracefully, of course.
Updates will unfold at the upcoming FEI General Assembly and the much-anticipated FEI Sports Forum in April 2025. These sessions promise expanded discussions, refining this vision into a practical, operational reality.
Conclusion: A Vision of Harmony and Progress
The FEI stakeholder meeting was more than just a calendar event—it marked a proactive step toward anchoring dressage in its foundational principles while embracing modern standards. The commitment to horse welfare, ethical training, and proactive communication suggests a readiness to harmonize the sport's storied past with contemporary demands.
Indeed, the future of dressage looks promising, as the sport moves towards sustained integrity and alignment with its core objectives. The outcomes of this meeting might well lead the proverbial horse to water—and, more ambitiously, get it to drink.
For more on the future of equestrian sports, visit Horse and Rider UK.
