Forging Powerful Partnership, US Equestrian Body Takes Stride Towards Social Change

For the equestrian community, the United States Equestrian Federation’s founding in 2001 was a turning point. The community, which was used to operating with little oversight and concentrating mostly on strict regulations about animal welfare, was about to undergo a sea of change. Within this framework, prosperous businesses flourished, but a pall over all sexual misconduct and abuse—which was either disregarded or unfairly blamed on victims—loomed large.

Two years ago, the US Equestrian, which oversees horse sports in the country, made a strong declaration recognizing the pressing need for change. Then, a partnership surfaced as a ray of hope under the hashtag #WeRideTogether and recently made its return.

Equestrian body reissues sexual misconduct announcement

US Equestrian took to X, reiterating its commitment to ending sexual abuse in the sport. An eye-opening digital print was posted with the caption, “There is no place for any form of sexual abuse in our sport. We have teamed with @WeRideTgether to continue to spread this message.” The reaffirmation showed an effort to maintain the momentum and underscore the continuous necessity of addressing sexual misconduct.

What does #WeRideTogether do? It empowers survivors by sharing experiences, provides channels for reporting abuse and seeking support, and offers specialized educational materials for athletes, coaches, and families. In 2021, Lauren Kay, the #WeRideTogether spokesperson emphasized the campaign’s multifaceted strategy.

By requiring greater accountability from trainers and coaches, giving survivors a safe platform to share their stories, and attempting to lessen the stigma and fear associated with coming forward, the initiative stands as a movement and cultural shift. However, the journey to change has not been without difficulties.

The beginning of a revolutionary step

According to a Bloomberg article published in 2022, the U.S. Equestrian Federation had been hit with 47 of the 1,275 sanctions the SafeSport center had issued for sexual misconduct by the end of 2021. Causing a rift within the equestrian community as a result of the decisions made against some of the country’s best horsemen. In an effort to challenge SafeSport’s authority in Congress, supporters of the accused started petitions, raised money, and even filed lawsuits, alleging a violation of due process.

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Fast forward to now, #WeRideTogether continues to be a potent force promoting social change. Although the path may be difficult, a revolutionary change towards a more responsible and safe riding community is achievable with persistent commitment, education, and communication.

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