An accomplished panel of athletes and trainers from diverse backgrounds, including Beezie Madden, Katherine Bateson-Chandler, and Dana Glass, highlighted the Thursday afternoon session of the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting. The session, led by US Equestrian Chief of Sport David O’Connor, focused on thought-provoking conversations around social license to operate, earning trust, and alternative methods of horsemanship. O’Connor emphasized the importance of welcoming the 90 percent of Americans who are not currently involved in equine activities and earning their trust.
Beezie Madden shared her experience using positive reinforcement, specifically clicker training, to help a horse named Judgment overcome his fear of water obstacles. Katherine Bateson-Chandler discussed her exploration of new training methods with a new mare, emphasizing the importance of being curious and adapting to the mental and physical athleticism of modern horses. Dana Glass highlighted the concept of rewarding horses for seeking answers and the importance of having multiple options and building blocks in training.
The panel also discussed the role of alternative training methods in social licensing, emphasizing the importance of working with horses to build trust and overcome fear. They highlighted the need to bring high performance and horsemanship closer together and emphasized the importance of understanding and knowledge in working with horses. Additionally, a presentation on the Horse Protection Act was provided, focusing on changes in the law and the role of organizations like US Equestrian in supporting horse protection efforts.
