BY JEAN LLEWELLYN / PRESS RELEASE
During this past year, WBN has published several papers written by Inga Wolfram a.o., that focus on the welfare of sport horses, how the public perceive the topic of equestrian welfare, and how the horse world can educate itself and others to create a more positive perspective
Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (HVHL)in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, and EQAD*, based in Süsel, Germany, have started a collaboration on the development of a new hybrid AI-supported judging model for equestrian sport. The initiative aims to strengthen objectivity and transparency in judging, while explicitly preserving the role of professional expertise and practical applicability.
Rather than replacing judges, the model is designed to support decision-making by combining data-driven analysis with established judging principles and real-world practice. The project builds on several years of applied research into decision making in dressage judging, biomechanics, and welfare-related indicators in equestrian sport.
“Judging in equestrian sport has always balanced clear principles with expert interpretation,” says Dr Inga Wolframm, Professor of Sustainable Equestrianism at HVHL. “Our goal is not to automate judgement, but to make the underlying criteria more consistent, transparent, and defensible, especially where objectivity matters most.
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A consciously hybrid approach
At the heart of the collaboration is a hybrid architecture. Artificial intelligence is used where it adds clear value, including automated anatomical marker detection and rapid biomechanical pre-analysis, enabling judges to focus on interpretation rather than data extraction.
This approach reflects a deliberate choice to bridge the gap between technological innovation and judging practice. By embedding the model within existing judging frameworks, the partners aim to avoid black-box solutions and ensure interpretability, explainability, and trust...
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