“We can’t let this sport destroy itself”: François Mathy Jr. on rule controversy and public perception

In December, François Mathy Jr. was re-elected as president of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC). He wants to fulfil the role primarily as a bridge between riders, officials, organisers, and the FEI. In an open conversation, Mathy Jr. looks back on recent years, during which cooperation within the sport has, in his view, improved noticeably. At the same time, new challenges have emerged: an increasingly rule-driven culture, public misconceptions about equestrian sport, and the need for clear communication around welfare and responsibility.