More and more, I feel that the older generation we look up to might just be right. The past wasn’t better, but it was different — and that “different” might not have been so bad. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer looking ahead! Something new is always different, not necessarily worse (or better)… but forward is the way!

This past weekend wasn’t only about top sport — it was also about money. Understandably so: the final of the Global Champions League had a prize fund of €6.5 million, the Super Grand Prix offered €1.25 million, and so on.

In the lead-up to the final, the GCL team Istanbul Warriors was disqualified. The reason? The clasp of Simon Delestre’s riding helmet broke. Something accidental, something that can simply happen.

That a jury follows the rules to the letter… you could argue that insight and context would have added value. The truth is that Delestre is a world-class rider, and neither his safety nor his horse’s safety was compromised. He takes a deep breath and continues. You could see the craftsmanship of Delestre, who showed more than ever how strong his partnership with his horse is. Taking that context into account during the decision-making process would have been desirable. Why, for instance, was no warning issued?

But that is not what bothers me most. Nobody would have made an issue of the incident had it not been spread on social media. First of all: it is downright low that this was done by the communications officer of a competing team. Yes, you read that correctly: a communications officer. In my view, someone who should carefully consider what he or she puts on social media. Someone who should strive to protect the future of the sport and the integrity of the sport.

And the FEI is supposed to be an organization that places integrity above all…

What about our future?

The power of social media has never been clearer than through this incident. And that is why I long for nostalgia. For the days when equestrian competitions were more than a money game (because that’s exactly how I interpret the communications officer’s action). For the time when athletes — both the two-legged and the four-legged ones — gave everything in the ring, left us speechless, and made it clear that that was the only thing that mattered.

Despite the hopeful perspectives and the beautiful evolution of our sport, I notice that we now live in a time where our athletes must keep one eye on the sport ahead, and the other eye behind and beside them, to ensure no misinformation is being spread and no knives are being stuck in their backs. Combine that with a general lack of basic knowledge and you get chaos! Social media is creating chaos in our sport.

What can we do about it? Nothing… it is a reality we must learn to live with. But preferably one in which everyone within the sport faces in the same direction! One where everyone who loves our sport also cares for the well-being of our industry. That is why I fully condemn what happened this past weekend.

Hopeful, thanks in part to Abdel Said!

Nostalgically, I look forward to a time when modern evolution can go hand in hand with unconditional sportsmanship… and yet I am hopeful. Why? Because Prague also showed me another side: one of positive revenge.

Abdel Said — who also happens to be a member of the Istanbul Warriors — won the LGCT Super Grand Prix. And what did we see behind the scenes? The moment Abdel jumps away from the TV screen, half-realizing he has won. That moment when he rushes to his groom, his horse, his friends… and that same moment when the other riders are genuinely happy for him. That is the moment I cherish. With hope.