Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson issues a heartfelt plea to her fellow riders to raise their standards and prioritize horse welfare to secure the future of the sport. She emphasizes that harsh training methods, such as excessive leg and hand pressure, must end, and riders should focus on sympathetic, patient approaches that build strength and expression over time rather than quick fixes. Tomlinson calls for honesty and accountability when mistakes are made, urging riders to ride with harmony and values that inspire young fans and the public, warning that failure to improve could lead to the sport’s decline or exclusion from major events like the Olympics.

Tomlinson also highlights concerns about current doping control procedures, which can cause unnecessary stress to horses, advocating for more horse-friendly rules such as allowing horses to urinate in their own stables during testing. Overall, she stresses that change must come from within the dressage community, with riders leading the way in protecting horse welfare and shaping the sport’s image to ensure its longevity and public support.