Isabell Werth Critiques Toxic Online Culture in Equestrian Sports

Isabell Werth, the renowned Olympic equestrian champion, has expressed her concerns regarding the current state of online discourse surrounding the equestrian community. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" ahead of the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, she remarked, "I can no longer mention the word quality in relation to horses without provoking reactions on social media. This has become a sick world."

The 57-year-old rider highlighted the pressure that many in her profession feel due to online scrutiny. "I believe that 80 to 90 percent of my colleagues feel the same way. We have stalkers who only want to portray a negative image. However, we receive a lot of appreciation from people outside the traditional equestrian community, who are largely unaware of these social media discussions," Werth noted.

In the interview, Werth addressed the ongoing debate about whether equestrian sports constitute animal cruelty. She acknowledged the evolving status of horses in society, stating, "The position of the horse in society has completely changed, and that is a good thing. Our horses are better off today than they were in the past, and better than a large portion of the people in this world." Nevertheless, she cautioned against prioritizing the animal's status over that of humans, adding, "It should not come to a point where the animal is seen above the human."

Werth also expressed her belief that social media platforms have become unrestrained. "I think that regulating social media in all areas would be beneficial. I know and see how many young people are hurt by being bullied and attacked aggressively. This is an absolute disadvantage," she said, emphasizing the need for a healthier online environment.