Matthiesen Receives Danish Sports Riding Club's Honorary Award 2026

Dressage

Denmark

Ridehesten reported that 5* dressage judge and IDOC president Hans-Christian Matthiesen has been bestowed with the Danish Sports Riding Club's Honorary Award 2026.

At their general assembly on Tuesday 17 March 2026, the award was presented for the sixth time by former chairman Ole Rosdahl. The award is bestowed upon a person, who has made a difference for the Sportsrideklubben or for equestrian sport in general.

"It is the board of directors, together with Ole Rosdahl, who decides on this year's award recipient, and last year the award went to the couple Anne-Mette Binder and Christian Struck for their enormous efforts for eventing," said Jakob Leth, chairman of the Sports Riding Club.

Engagement for the Improvement of the Sport

Matthiesen received the award for his years as national team veterinarian, role as international dressage judge, and his active involvement in the ongoing discussions about horse welfare in equestrian sport.

Matthiesen responded on Facebook to having received this honorary award.

"When you put your head above the parapet… there will always be someone wishing you were somewhere “where the pepper grows'," he wrote. "As someone who has volunteered in the sport for many years – wearing many different hats and serving in various roles – I know how meaningful recognition can be."

Matthiesen continued, "The award itself was a pepper grinder with a beautiful silver band and the club’s well-known logo – both symbolic and slightly humorous."

Including Horse Welfare More into Dressage Judging

Hans-Christian added, "I have been actively involved in discussions about the conditions and welfare of horses in sport since around 2012, and much has changed during that time. It has not always been easy to navigate the space between critics of the sport and its supporters.

Equestrian sport tends to move slowly. It is, by nature, a traditional and conservative sport. At the same time, we have not always been good enough at listening to research and evidence-based knowledge, whether it concerns competition formats, equipment, or our understanding of the horse’s physiology and needs.

Along the way I have been called many things: unrealistic, irresponsible, “full of hot air”, even accused of gaslighting.

But I have also seen something encouraging: people around me gradually changing their perspectives. Many are now more open to discussing changes than they were just a few years ago. Not long ago, very few people questioned issues such as the freedom of equipment choice and its application in the sport.

Culture evolves – including in equestrian sport. Some believe change is happening far too slowly, others think it is happening too quickly. At the same time, society’s views on animals in sport are changing, and our sport has an obligation to evolve with that.

Through my participation in international discussions on horse welfare, I try to contribute to a dialogue about how modern dressage can develop with respect for the horse’s physiology, training principles and wellbeing. Through work in professional committees, working groups, seminars, and through articles and written contributions, my goal has been to support a more evidence-based conversation within the sport.

In my work, I emphasize that judges, riders, trainers and veterinarians share a common responsibility to ensure that the sport develops in a direction where the welfare of the horse remains the central priority.

With my international engagement, professional integrity and efforts to contribute constructively to the development of the sport, I hope I have helped strengthen the dialogue about horse welfare in equestrian sport.

And yes — I am very fond of my pepper grinder.

Because sometimes it helps remind you that you can stand your ground, even when criticism becomes personal…even when someone wants you “where the pepper grows.”