03/04/2025
Interesting perspective.
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬? 𝐀 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
I’ve spend the last couple of days reading this book and highly advise people to as well and make your own mind up but here is my thoughts
For over a century, equestrian sports have been a part of the Olympic Games, showcasing the unique partnership between horse and rider. However, Julie Taylor’s book, The Case for Dropping Equestrian from the Olympic Games, challenges this long-standing tradition, arguing that the sport raises serious ethical concerns particularly regarding equine welfare.
I’m not against competition. In fact, I think sports, at their best, bring out human excellence and inspire us to push past our limits. But when it comes to equestrian in the Olympics, I believe Taylor makes a compelling case that we need to take a step back until the world can truly figure out what’s going on behind the scenes in the equine industry.
I’ve looked into Taylor’s argument in-depth, addressing the core issues of equine welfare, accessibility, fairness, and the role of tradition. If we want the Olympics to reflect the best of humanity, we must also consider how our decisions impact the animals we involve in competition.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬?
One of the most powerful aspects of Taylor’s book is her unflinching examination of how horses are treated in high-level equestrian sports. It’s easy to be mesmerized by the elegance of dressage or the excitement of show jumping, but behind the scenes, the pressure to perform can lead to serious ethical compromises.
Horses used for Olympic-level competition endure intense training, long-distance travel, and often brutal discipline to ensure peak performance. While many riders and trainers genuinely care for their horses, the industry as a whole can be unforgiving. A horse that doesn’t perform well can quickly become expendable sold, retired, or even euthanized if it is deemed no longer profitable.
A particularly disturbing moment in recent Olympic history brought this issue to global attention. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, modern pentathlon athlete Annika Schleu was seen in tears as her assigned horse, Saint Boy, refused to jump. Under immense pressure, she repeatedly struck the horse with her whip while her coach, Kim Raisner, encouraged her to “really hit him.” The shocking footage sparked international outrage, raising urgent questions about the ethical treatment of horses in Olympic competition.
Taylor argues that this wasn’t just an isolated incident,it was a symptom of a larger problem. Horses are not inanimate equipment; they are living beings with their own needs, fears, and limits. And yet, the Olympic system often treats them as disposable assets rather than sentient partners in sport.
Until we have stronger regulations in place to protect these animals, Taylor suggests, the best course of action may be to remove equestrian from the Games altogether.
𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦
Another significant argument in Taylor’s book is that equestrian sports are among the least accessible disciplines in the Olympics. Unlike track and field, swimming, or gymnastics sports that require primarily human ability and dedication equestrian sports demand an enormous financial investment.
The costs involved in training and maintaining a competitive horse are staggering. A top-level horse can cost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Then there’s the expense of training, stabling, veterinary care, transportation, and competition fees.
Because of this, the sport is overwhelmingly dominated by athletes from wealthy backgrounds. It’s nearly impossible for someone without significant financial backing to break into the upper levels of equestrian competition.
Taylor argues that this exclusivity contradicts the Olympic spirit. The Games are supposed to be about bringing together athletes from all walks of life, showcasing talent regardless of nationality or socioeconomic status. Yet, equestrian events remain largely inaccessible to athletes from developing nations or less privileged backgrounds.
So, if equestrian is a sport only a small, wealthy fraction of the world can afford to compete in, should it really be part of the Olympics?
𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
One of the most unique aspects of equestrian sports is that the performance isn’t solely based on human ability it’s a combination of both the rider’s skill and the horse’s capabilities. Taylor raises an important question: Can a sport be considered fair when so much depends on an animal, rather than just the athlete?
Unlike sports where all competitors rely on their own bodies, equestrian events are influenced by factors outside of the rider’s control, such as:
The quality of the horse (some are naturally more athletic or better trained).
The financial resources to acquire and maintain a top-tier horse.
The unpredictable nature of animals, who may refuse to perform regardless of training.
This is particularly evident in disciplines like show jumping and dressage, where a well-trained, well-bred horse can make all the difference. Taylor points out that in many cases, riders at the Olympic level are competing not just with their skill, but with the financial and genetic advantage of the horses they ride.
In contrast, most Olympic sports level the playing field by requiring athletes to rely purely on their own strength, agility, and training. Taylor argues that this fundamental difference raises valid concerns about whether equestrian belongs in the same category as other Olympic sports.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵?
One of the strongest counterarguments to Taylor’s position is that equestrian sports have a long history in the Olympics. Since their official inclusion in 1912, they have become deeply embedded in the culture of the Games. Many equestrian enthusiasts argue that removing these events would be an unnecessary loss of tradition.
But Taylor challenges this assumption by pointing out that tradition alone is not a good enough reason to continue a practice that may no longer align with modern Olympic values. The Games have evolved before sports like tug-of-war, polo, and baseball have been removed over time as the Olympics adapted to changing societal values and interests.
If equestrian sports no longer align with the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and ethical treatment of animals, Taylor suggests, then it’s time to question whether tradition should outweigh progress.
𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰
Equestrian sports have a rich history at the Olympics, dating back to their first inclusion in 1900 and becoming a permanent fixture by 1912 in Stockholm. In those early days, the sport wasn’t about wealth it was about military skill and horsemanship. Until 1952, only commissioned military officers could compete, and riders didn’t own the horses themselves. The mounts were often cavalry horses, showcasing the bond between rider and horse that had been forged through service. These events weren’t just competitions they were a test of a rider’s ability to work with any horse in demanding, real-world conditions. It wasn’t about privilege or access to elite resources; it was about raw skill, experience, and trust.
Even after civilians were allowed to compete, the sport retained its working-class roots for some time. Riders such as Britain’s Harry Llewellyn, who famously won gold in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics with Foxhunter, were celebrated for their horsemanship rather than the price tag of their horses. The courses were tough, designed to replicate the challenges faced in the field, and riders were admired for their grit and talent, not their ability to buy their way into competition.
But over the years, as the sport modernised, money began to take centre stage. Today, success in equestrian events often depends more on financial backing than sheer talent. Horses bred for top-level competition can cost millions, and sponsorship deals and access to world-class facilities dominate the sport. The Olympic dream, once about skill and determination, now feels out of reach for those without significant financial resources. Equestrian has drifted far from its humble beginnings, and until the sport addresses this imbalance, it’s worth questioning whether it still aligns with the Olympic spirit of fairness and equality.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁?
Taylor doesn’t argue that equestrian sports should be eliminated altogether. Instead, she believes that before they can remain part of the Olympics, the industry must undergo serious reform. Some key changes she suggests include:
1.𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
2.𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 – 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝.
3.𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 – 𝐈𝐟 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬.
4.𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 – 𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞.
Until these issues are addressed, Taylor argues and I agree that it might be best to remove equestrian from the Olympics. Not because the sport itself isn’t valuable, but because we owe it to the horses, the athletes, and the integrity of the Games to ensure that competition is fair, ethical, and truly representative of the Olympic spirit.
At the very least, the world needs to take a hard look at what’s happening in the equine industry before continuing to place these incredible animals on the global stage without full assurance that their welfare is the top priority.
Have a read of book and let me know your thoughts.
Healing Hearts Hooves and Paws Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit located in McHenry, IL that rescues,
