A PUSH FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Riders at the upcoming Badminton Horse Trials will benefit from on-site access to mental health support in a “pioneering” step forward. Riders Minds will provide a station with a counsellor, and an out-of-hours number to call, for the duration of the Trials season. Victoria Wright, founder and chair of the mental health charity, said: “This is the first time this has happened in equestrian sport, and it is fantastic the FEI has recognised the importance of facilitating this service and that it is being pioneered by Badminton. “It’s a huge step forward to have the acknowledgement from the International Olympic Committee and the FEI, and for the sport to recognise that there is a need for mental health support within all of the equestrian disciplines.” Anna-Louise Mackinnon, British Equestrian’s chief medical officer, said mental health promotion is high on the agenda of the FEI medical committee.