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The Future of Coaching Forum Panelists
The Future of Coaching Forum Panelists at the stage at The Dutch masters
The Future of Coaching Forum panelists at the stage with audience The Dutch Masters 2026
Coaches are looking to the stage at The Future of Coaching at The Dutch Masters 2026

Equestrian Legends
at The Future of Coaching Forum!

Explore the evolution of coaching at The Dutch Masters 2026.

Forum highlights & takeaways

Created with The Dutch Masters and Equestic, the Future of Coaching Forum brought together leading figures in the sport to discuss the future of coaching.

A key theme from the panel was a challenge you may know well – riders don’t always retain the core of their lessons. The conversation explored how technology can support coaches by capturing sessions, reinforcing feedback, and helping riders continue progressing between lessons.

Richard Davison is talking to the audience of The Future of Coaching

While perspectives varied, there was strong alignment that AI can be a valuable tool, especially when paired with coaches’ expertise. Leon Rutten introduced EQ Coach-Copilot, an AI assistant that records and analyzes lessons, producing summaries for both coach and rider.

What emerged from the Future of Coaching Forum wasn’t just a conversation about innovation. It was a rethinking of how knowledge is preserved, how progress is measured, and how horses ultimately benefit from clearer, more consistent training.

Because when riders remember more, they apply more. When they apply more, they improve faster. And when they improve with clarity, horses experience better, more thoughtful riding.

Richard Davison is a four-time Olympian and European medallist is moderating The Future of Coaching Forum

“What technology can’t do is replace feeling.”

“What technology can’t do is replace feeling. That’s a human sensory experience. But if a rider can see a mistake visually, they can start to connect it back to how it felt. And that’s really how you build a memory of feeling, both good and bad.”

Richard Davison, a four-time British Olympian and European Medalist, and former British World Class Performance Manager and British Dressage Team Captain.

 

Di Lampard MBE, the speaker of the Future of Coaching Forum

“You never really know what they’re doing at home.”

“As a coach, you can explain, demonstrate, and give riders your best knowledge – but unless you’re there with them, you never really know what they’re doing at home.

What happens in a 45-minute lesson is one thing, but what a rider takes home and actually puts into practice, that’s what really makes the difference. And that’s the part we don’t see.”

Di Lampard MBE, Showjumping Performance Manager for the British senior Jumping Team, led Team GB to Olympic Gold, and is a former Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner.

Laurens van Lieren is speaking at Future of Coaching Forum

“For me as a coach, that’s incredibly valuable.”

“I had a rider come train with me, we recorded a session, and the app created a detailed summary of the lesson. What stood out was how accurate it was — not just what we did, but the specific advice I gave. It gave both the rider and me a clear way to reflect on the session.

For me as a coach, that’s incredibly valuable, because when the rider comes back the following week—or even a month later—you’re not relying on memory. You can look back, see exactly what you worked on, and identify what still needs attention, whether that’s energy, activity, or specific technical elements.”

Laurens van Lieren, a Dutch World and European Championship medalist and current KNHS Technical Manager

 

François Mathy Jr., President of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), represented Belgium at the FEI World Equestrian Games and the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, Chef d’Equipe of the Spanish Show Jumping Team at The Future of Coaching

“We’ve always relied on feeling and intuition…”

“We’ve always relied on feeling and intuition. There is a shift nowwhere we have technologies that can support that, and in a sport that’s becoming more technical and professional, we would be foolish not to use them in coaching.

These are tools. If we don’t use the tools available to us to improve coaching and performance, then we’re not really doing our job properly.”

François Mathy Jr., President of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), represented Belgium at the FEI World Equestrian Games and the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, Chef d’Equipe of the Spanish Show Jumping Team

Leon Rutten, a founder and CEO of Equestic, a technology visionary and eventing rider from a renowned equestrian coaching family at The Dutch Masters

“AI doesn’t replace coaching, it supports it.”

“Data can show you what’s happening but finding the solution is still the coach’s job. That’s where experience and understanding come in.

AI doesn’t replace coaching, it supports it. It helps identify patterns, track progress, and give clarity, but the thinking and decision-making still belong to the coach.”

Leon Rutten, a founder and CEO of Equestic, a technology visionary and eventing rider from a renowned equestrian coaching family

 

Wout Jan van der Schans, current national coach of the Dutch show jumping team is taking part in the Future of Coaching Forum

“For that person, it has no added value.”

“A student who is eager to learn will make an effort to use the information I give him. That type of rider will also use the information AI can provide.

But a student who does not remember the core of the message without AI will not even open the app. So for that person, it has no added value.”

Wout Jan van der Schans, current national coach of the Dutch show jumping team, who has participated in the Olympic Games, World and European Championships

 

Coaches networking at the Future of Coaching Forum at The Dutch Master

Share your voice!

Help us to shape the future of coaching.

“With the summary of the training on Coach-Copilot, you can practice better.”

 

Thamar Zweistra, FEI Grand Prix Rider and Coach

 

An AI‑supported equestrian training platform that makes coaching more productive, learning more effective, and riders improve faster, ultimately for better horse welfare.

EQ Coach-Copilot
Experience the future of coaching

An AI‑supported equestrian training platform that makes coaching more productive, learning more effective, and riders improve faster, ultimately for better horse welfare.