Four-time dressage Olympian Richard Davison advocates for the introduction of mandatory rehabilitation protocols within equestrian disciplinary sanctions to help offending riders reform and improve the sport’s reputation. He highlights that such protocols, already in use by British Showjumping and the Danish federation, would provide psychological and educational support, encouraging riders to take responsibility for abusive training practices rather than merely facing punitive measures. Davison uses the case of Charlotte Dujardin, who faced public scrutiny after a welfare violation, to illustrate the need for structured rehabilitation to restore trust and demonstrate genuine reform beyond serving suspensions.

Davison emphasizes that horse welfare must remain paramount and that public trust in equestrian sport hinges on transparent, effective rehabilitation efforts. He argues that silence or simple returns to competition do not suffice, as they leave room for skepticism about whether true change has occurred. With petitions against horse use in sport growing, he calls for urgent implementation of rehabilitation protocols by British dressage and the FEI to support both rider reform and the sport’s integrity, urging the equestrian community to engage in open dialogue about rebuilding public confidence.