We as riders must be good horseman first. We must put the horse first. They can not speak for themselves so we must be the ones who say what will do them harm and what will not. And yes, in the treatment of some ailments, it may be necessary to use a banned substance. But a horse in medical rehab should not be shown. When our human professional athletes have a serious injury, they go on the disabled list. They don’t compete. And yes, competing at the FEI level is very expensive, but looking from a purely business perspective, it’s cheaper than competing a horse who may do permanent damage if not allowed to properly heal.

As professionals, international riders should be held to high standards. There are millions of young (and not-so young) riders and trainers who are looking up to them and how they treat their mounts. If it means saying what medication a horse is on, then so be it. As a true athlete, victories won honestly should be far more satisfying than one that was not one on a level playing field. Someone needs to stand up and say that winning at all costs is not winning, it’s just buying a ribbon, medal, or trophy. You can go to a trophy shop for that. The sport of Dressage should be about the training of horse and rider.

SO it is only fitting that the FN now be on the other side of the desk, being investigated itself.

Intersting that the latest reports are starting to paint Ludger Beerbaum more as a hero who ’sacrificed’ himself by making public comments in order to reveal the corruption within his federation.

What started out as a farce may indeed turn into serious drama.

What do you think about Isabell Werth’s quote on eurodressage?

“What I give or not give to my horses only concerns me, the owner and my stable crew.”

What is your opinion that riders should log every medical treatment given to their competitive horses?

Do you feel like the “doping” and the list of banned drugs is overly extensive and unrealistic?