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#EyesUp
No More Looking Away
For millions of people, the equestrian community is far more than a sport.
It's early mornings at the yard. Long days at events. Friendships that last a lifetime. Coaches, employers, volunteers, officials, parents, riders and grooms all working together because they care deeply about horses and the community around them.
We love this community. But we can't ignore where it needs to do better.
Too many people have experienced harm, abuse, bullying, discrimination, misconduct or unsafe environments. Too many concerns have gone unchallenged. Too many people have been left feeling unheard, unsupported or unsure where to turn.
Most people will recognise the situations we're talking about. The behaviour that crossed a line. The concern that wasn't addressed. The person who needed help but didn't know where to turn.
The reality is that the culture of our community is shaped by what we accept, what we challenge and what we're prepared to stand up for.
A Call To Action
#EyesUp is a call to action for everyone involved in the equestrian community. A call to raise standards. A call to take responsibility. A call to challenge harmful behaviour. A call to stop looking away.
Whether you’re a rider, groom, coach, parent, official, employer, volunteer or organisation, every one of us has a role to play in creating safer environments and a stronger culture of accountability.
Meaningful change happens when a community decides that enough is enough.
Because victims and survivors deserve better. Because everyone who loves this community deserves better. And because the future of our community will be shaped by what we choose to do today.
Stand With Us
If you believe in a safer, fairer and more accountable equestrian community, please consider supporting our work.
Your donation helps us provide support to those affected by harm and abuse, develop resources and guidance, undertake research, raise awareness and drive meaningful change across the sector.
Together, we can ensure that no one faces harm and abuse alone - and help create a safer future for generations of equestrians to come.
Zero tolerance
- Maintain a strict, zero-tolerance towardsspiking – evident in your company policies and culture
- Immediately remove and ban anyone caught spikingothers on your premises
Duty of care
- Call emergency services if a person is in distress
- Provide a dedicated safe space away from noise, disturbance, and crowds for victim-survivors of suspected spiking
- Immediately administer first aid and make a medical referral
- Call 999 without delay if a person appears seriously ill
- Staff should stay with the individual and find trusted persons to the victim where possible
- Support the victim-survivor in contacting police
- Do not assume the person is simply drunk
Working with authorities
- Report incidents of spiking to the police
- Staff should never discourage a victim-survivor from reporting
- Immediately secure and preserve relevant CCTV footage
- Record the incident in a robust incident log, including: time, description of victim-survivor, who reported it, what was observed, and any CCTV coverage
Prevention measures
- Deliver regular and up-to-date staff training on recognising the signs of spiking and relevant policies and procedures for handling an incident
- Provideprevention measures at the bar such as drinks covers and test strips
- Well-maintained CCTV recording
Have and abide by the following policies
- Safeguarding policies and procedures
- Operational policies
- Health and safety policies
Signage & messaging
- Messaging and signage referencing drink spiking should be perpetrator-focussed and avoid victim-blaming
Learn more
This blog was written using information from the following resources:
90% of drink spiking incidents go unreported according to research by Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University | Drinkaware
Nearly one million UK adults experienced drink spiking in the past year, new data reveals | Drinkaware Spiking statistics: insights from the 2025 Monitor
Spiking: factsheet | GOV.UK
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By donating, you help create an equestrian community where everyone feels safe, supported and heard.
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