Strap on your helmet–we’re going for a ride into the future of equestrian sports. And said one elite international dressage rider, the road to that future is paved by equitation science.

"The road ahead is all about what science can do for the horse," said Wayne Channon, BSc, ARCS, British international dressage rider and biotech entrepreneur. He addressed the audience of the 2012 International Society of Equitation Science conference, held July 18-20 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

But that road, he said, must include several major landmarks that include consistent factual evidence, an improved scoring system, and leadership by the international equestrian federation.

"What equestrianism really needs is a coherent, comprehensive training system that combines the best there is on offer and bases itself on principles that will stand the test of time," Channon said. "Equitation science clearly has to play a pivotal role in this process