Will Charlotte Save Equestrian Sport?

Video released this week showing high-profile Olympic rider, Charlotte Dujardin, whipping a horse has sparked a huge reaction around the globe. This week on Changing Rein, Karen and Meta ask the question - could this be the catalyst to spark much needed change in the horse world? Background information for this episode: Ludger Beerbaum - show jumping (German Olympic medallist) https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/ludger-beerbaum-accused-of-poling-horses-in-german-tv-expose/ “I can’t watch anymore” by Julie Taylor https://www.amazon.com.au/Cant-Watch-Anymore-Dropping-Equestrian/dp/8797354309 Feb 2022 Mark Todd - eventing (New Zealand Olympic medallist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jfs-QQGVeo November 2023 Operation X - dressage (Danish Olympic medallist) https://www.eurodressage.com/2023/11/30/danish-riding-instructor-association-expels-four-riders-based-operation-x May 2024 Danish politician introduces law changes to protect horses in sport https://www.facebook.com/NfuglsangEP/posts/pfbid0NqFXRXLATkSdbVsHnNc5CQBQn9JWqgLUoLTMvdnapgv7U2Z2WhqcMeQ8wLoCVzqHl July 2024 Danish politician posts on Olympic hopeful being removed from the Danish equestrian team for ‘making a mistake’ in training her horse https://www.facebook.com/NfuglsangEP/posts/pfbid0FsW3CG5NHMJ5DD6a9nfQKaVgmGuQeLoEcSYkA4jriTzo2yXfdVZW8jhXzyCC2Xjbl Member of public removed from event for recording and pointing out horse abuse to FEI official - Falsterbo Horse Show (Denmark) https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/6336ee/jenny-larmade-om-blodande-hast-polis-tillkallades Charlotte Dujardin - dressage (British Olympic medallist) https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/29433244/gmb-viewers-beg-stop-charlotte-dujardin-horse-video/ ‘Dressage is in trouble’ - Paul McGreevy, The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/24/dressage-is-in-trouble-where-is-the-line-between-horse-abuse-and-training Research on rider motivation and understanding of horse welfare Broms et al (2020) Super equestrians – the construction of identity/ies and impression management among young equestrians in upper secondary school settings on social media https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1859472 Cousquer (2023). From domination to dialogue and the ethics of the between: Transforming human–working equine relationships in mountain tourism. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0719-81322023000100035 Hogg &Hodgins (2021) Symbiosis or sporting tool? https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051352 Luke et al (2024) Investigating the Motivational Priorities Underlying Equestrians’ Horse-Keeping and Training Practices, https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2303228 Luke et al (2024)  How equestrians conceptualise horse welfare: Does it facilitate or hinder change? https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2023.79