Just Equestrian Solutions

04/03/2025

Attention EA members - FREE WEBINAR - tomorrow evening, 5 March, 7pm

HORSE WELFARE | Join us for an Equine Welfare Webinar delving into the importance of public acceptance. Dr Karen Luke will help us answer the very important questions of what we need to know, what we should change, and why. This discussion will equip you to incorporate equine welfare into your coaching practice and is free for all EA members.

Dr Karen Luke is a highly regarded horse welfare scientist who blends creativity with practicality. Known for her innovative yet inclusive approach, she crafts novel solutions that not only transform systems but also unite equestrian communities.
We look forward to sharing an educational and inspiring evening!
Wednesday, 5 Mar 7pm
Zoom Presentation
Free for all EA members
Presented by Equestrian NSW

Please complete this form to register for the event: https://forms.gle/AEMj4H5ErPYNiVRH7

17/02/2025

Exciting news for riders wanting to compete bitfree in dressage - another national federation, Hungary, is giving dressage riders the option of bitfree at the national level. This is a fantastic step forward that will help improve horse welfare for dressage horses.

In Australia, its not yet possible to ride bitfree in national dressage competitions, but hopefully Equestrian Australia will follow the Netherlands, and now Hungary, and give riders the option.

Congratulations Krisztina Szűcs (pictured) for all your hard work campaigning for this very positive change in Hungary.

World Bitless Association

Hungary says YES to allow BIT-FREE in Dressage in National levels
****BREAKING NEWS***

We are pleased to inform you that the Hungarian equestrian regulations have been amended in a favorable direction for Bit-Free dressage riders, effective February 1, 2025.

The new regulations of the Hungarian Dressage Committee can be found on the following page:https://dijlovagloszakag.hu/2025/02/08/magyar-dijlovaglo-szabalyzat-frissitve-2024-05-15/

Bit-free riders will be allowed to compete in their own competition, under the updated rules of the Hungarian Equestrian Federation. This trial period will allow the federation time to assess the take up and gather data/feed back - This is how the Netherlands initiated bit-free and expanded to allow mixed classes to all National levels

Hopefully, this will provide more and more bitless riders with the opportunity to engage in Dressage in Hungary.

World Bitless Association offers our sincere thanks to the tireless work of our Hungarian International Representative and Dressage Advisor to WBA Krisztina Szűcs.

14/02/2025

I was lucky enough to be invited to World Horse Welfare’s accountability conference - it was a fantastic event and I recommend watching the recording. My friend and Changing Rein co-host Meta Osborne was on the panel and shares a wonderful story about a jockey called Stretch.

The virtual conference ‘Accountability for welfare in equestrianism: Looking beyond the obvious’.

08/02/2025

Just Equestrian Solutions is having a re-boot.
It has taken me a bit longer than I hoped to really find my niche, but, for now at least, I am super pleased with where things have landed.
So far this year I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people from NSW Dressage, Pony Club Australia, NMZ of Pony Club Victoria, Horse Safety Australia and have some exciting projects in the pipeline with several other national and international organisations.
I'm Dr Karen Luke the Founder of Just Equestrian Solutions and if you are looking for help to build a better future for your favourite equestrian sport, reach out, I would love to have a chat :)

PS You can hear me, and my superstar co-host Meta Osborne, on our podcast, Changing Rein, where a wonderful collection of guests help us explore how we can create a better future for equestrian sport.

28/01/2025

NEW RULES FOR 2025 - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
An update from NSW Dressage Judge Educators - new welfare rules and scoring in dressage.

An update from NSW Dressage judge educators, Jobina Kennedy, Kristen Closson, and Suzanne Cunningham.
Learn about the new welfare elements that judges are looking for and how they will affect your scores. This is great information every dressage rider can use to help them ride a winning test in 2025.

Watch from the 42 minute mark for this important welfare update.
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/wDfmxExGycq5XeZeAjKJFqPOeDcFtNIS1BSzA477iu_mvUfonF85eiQb6UY6opnU.JO_OE4bKE-2BNSnW

16/07/2024

Debunking the dominance-leadership complex

09/07/2024

‎Show Changing Rein, Ep Protecting Tigers, Polar Bears and...Horses? Part 1 - Jul 3, 2024

26/06/2024

Are all racehorse trainers the same?
Listen to the latest episode of Changing Rein with guest John Berry, racehorse trainer of 30 years, and then decide :)

In this episode we chat to racehorse trainer John Berry, whose interests range beyond the day to day of training horses and include the history and heritage of horseracing and his involvement in local politics (including a stint as Mayor of Newmarket). John has intriguing things to say about how he....