We are pleased to invite you to an important and thought-provoking free webinar on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6 pm -7 pm MT, featuring Olympic gold medalist and USEF Chief of Sport David O’Connor. He will lead a timely discussion on one of the most pressing topics in modern equestrian sport: Social License to Operate.
As equestrians, we are all stakeholders in the future of our sport. “Social license” refers to the public’s acceptance of horse sports—an acceptance that must be continually earned. O’Connor challenges us to examine how our training, competition practices, and daily interactions with horses are perceived both within and outside the equestrian community. He reminds us that if you can’t explain what you’re doing in the middle of Central Park, you actually can’t do it—a powerful call to transparency, accountability, and horse-centered decision-making.
During this session, O’Connor will explore:
- How the public forms opinions about equestrian sport
- Why our communication—verbal, visual, and behavioral—matters more than ever
- What it means to demonstrate, not just claim, that horse welfare is our highest priority
- How riders, trainers, officials, and organizations can work together to strengthen the long-term viability of our sport
This webinar is especially relevant for equestrian athletes, trainers, parents, volunteers, and anyone who cares deeply about the future of equestrian sport in the United States. It promises to be both provocative and inspiring, offering a framework for how we can collectively safeguard the integrity and sustainability of our sport.
Registrants will be emailed the Zoom Webinar Link on the day of the event. Please be sure to provide your correct email in the registration.
REGISTER HERE
