What is Safe Sport?

As a third-generation horsewoman, Hilary Wilcox was privileged to grow up with easy access to horses, but she knows that getting involved can be daunting for anyone new. As one of the trainers at her family’s Redwing Farm in Waterloo, Ill., one of her missions is to reduce the barrier to entry for those looking to start riding. “Right now, we teach 150 lessons a week — out of that number, some number of kids are going to buy horses and go into the industry more fully, but a...

If you compete in US Equestrian-sanctioned events, you receive a prompt each year to complete a refresher of Safe Sport training – but do you know how this program came about, or what happens if someone violates one of the policies? First of all, it’s important to know that Safe Sport is a global initiative to promote an abuse and harassment free culture in sport, and is not limited to equestrian sports. In the mid-2010s, a number of USA Olympic sports faced crises as whistleblowers...

US Equestrian would like to remind its members of the variety of resources available to assist if you, or someone you know, is in crisis or in need of support: RAINN’s 24-Hour Helpline Call (866) 200-0796 for 24/7 crisis interventions, referrals and emotional support. This confidential and secure helpline is operated by RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. For more information on this helpline please visit www.safesporthelpline.org . 988 Suicide & Crisis...