Accelerating Action: A Landmark Event for Women in Equestrian Sport
The Equitas International Women’s Day Event 2025 was not about simply recognising progress—it was about accelerating it.
With this year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," the focus was clear: conversation alone is not enough—real, measurable change is needed, and it’s needed now. The event has over 100 registered, and attendees from four countries with 15 industry leaders, covering show jumping, racing, para-equestrian sport, and media.
Across some incredible keynotes and panels discussions, one truth became evident: women in equestrian sport still face systemic barriers that hold them back from reaching the top.
The gaps in representation, funding, leadership opportunities, and visibility remain wide—but this event wasn’t about dwelling on those gaps. It was about building pathways to close them.
This event wasn’t just a conversation about what’s missing. It was a discussion on what comes next—and how we get there faster.
The Key Conversations That Matter
🔹 Breaking Barriers in Show Jumping
International show jumpers Jessica Burke and Nicola Fitzgibbon addressed one of the sport’s most pressing questions: Where are the women at the very top?
While female riders compete at the highest levels, the lack of sponsorship, media coverage, and structured support makes it significantly harder for them to break into—and stay at—the elite tier.
Key takeaways included:
✅ Mentorship programmes to support young female show jumpers
✅ Financial backing and sponsorship structures that prioritise gender equity
✅ Increased media coverage showcasing female riders at the highest level
The message was clear: talent is not the issue—access to the right opportunities is.
🔹 Para-Equestrians: Fighting for Recognition
Paralympians Sarah Slattery and Helen Kearney shared the realities of competing in para-dressage—a discipline that, despite its incredible skill level, still lacks adequate funding, sponsorship, and visibility.
Despite their successes on the world stage, para-equestrian sport remains underfunded and underrepresented, making long-term success difficult for many riders.
Proposed solutions included:
✅ More financial and sponsorship support for para-riders
✅ Expanding classification criteria to create a fairer competitive landscape
✅ Stronger integration with able-bodied dressage events to increase awareness and exposure
The discussion underscored a crucial point: Para-equestrian sport cannot remain an afterthought—it must be treated as an essential part of equestrian competition.
🔹 Women in Racing: Pushing for Leadership & Visibility
Racing has long been a male-dominated industry, but women are making their mark—just not fast enough.
Journalist Sally Ann Grassick, along with Zoe and Dena, discussed the challenges of breaking into leadership roles in racing. Women are a driving force within the industry, yet senior positions and key decision-making roles remain disproportionately male.
Key recommendations included:
✅ Creating clearer career pathways for women in racing management and leadership
✅ Ensuring support systems for working mothers in the industry
✅ Encouraging more women to put themselves forward for visible roles
If the industry wants to modernise, it needs to recognise the contributions of women—not just in supporting roles, but in decision-making positions.
🔹 The Role of Media in Accelerating Change
Visibility isn’t just about representation—it’s about power.
Kate, Katie, and Sonia, three women shaping mindsets and advocating for change through media, spoke about the need for more storytelling that prioritises women in sport. Media coverage has a direct impact on sponsorship, career opportunities, and long-term recognition—and right now, it still isn’t equitable.
Key actions moving forward:
✅ Prioritising stories about women in equestrian sport across major publications
✅ Encouraging female athletes to actively pursue media opportunities
✅ Building new platforms that centre women’s voices across all disciplines
Their message was clear: if women’s stories are not being told, the industry as a whole is missing out.
What Comes Next?
This event was never about words—it was about action. Equitas is taking these discussions and turning them into real initiatives that drive change.
⚡ Focus Groups for Show Jumpers – Addressing key barriers and designing practical solutions.
⚡ Expanding into the UK & US – Growing the Equitas platform to support and connect more women globally.
⚡ Amplifying Women’s Voices in Media – Increasing coverage, visibility, and representation.
⚡ Mentorship for Young Riders – Ensuring the next generation of female equestrians have stronger pathways into professional sport.
This event was a step forward—but it’s only the beginning.
📺 Missed it? Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/S5XYtesV6EE?feature=shared
📢 If you’re ready to be part of real change in equestrian sport, join us.
#Equitas #WomenInEquestrianSport #IWD #TheFutureIsEqual
P.s. We have a piece dropping later tonight or early tomorrow on our keynotes speakers but today, we want to take a brief look at some of the panel discussions form IWD 2025 with Equitas. We will be doing an expended piece per panel in the coming days too, audio is transcribing currently after some glitches.
