Dressage, Western, and Showing Judges to Replace Scores with Emojis

In a bold move to make equestrian sports more engaging for the modern audience, the Global Equestrian Federation (GEF) has announced that traditional scoring systems in dressage, western, and showing competitions will be replaced with emojis.

According to GEF President Alejandro "Alex" Ferreira (BRA), the change is “a necessary evolution in equestrian sports.” In a statement delivered with his signature diplomatic charm, he explained:

“Numbers can feel cold and impersonal. Emojis, however, are modern and universal! They bring a level of relatability to judging, especially for younger audiences and those watching on social media.”

Reactions across the equestrian world have been, shall we say, varied.

Dressage Goes from Technical to Texting

Top 20 dressage rider Helga Müller (GER) was unimpressed.

“How will they distinguish between a 6.5 and a 7? Is it the difference between a ‘😊’ and a ‘🙂’?! What if I do a perfect piaffe and only get a thumbs-up?!” she raged. “This sport is already being watered down—next, they’ll be allowing bitless bridles at Grand Prix!”

Meanwhile, Dr. Leila Al-Farsi, the horse welfare advocate, was equally frustrated—but for different reasons. “If a horse is overbent and struggling in a tight double bridle, will the judge finally give it a ‘😡’ instead of pretending it’s ‘classical training’?” she asked pointedly.

Western Riders Take It in Stride

In contrast, the western world is reacting with something between confusion and resignation. When asked for a comment, seasoned reining judge Buck McAllister (USA) simply shook his head. “I’ve been judging for 30 years, and now I gotta decide if a sliding stop deserves a 🤠 or a 🔥? This sport is doomed.”

However, influencer Aya Nakamura (JPN), known for her perfectly curated aesthetic, was thrilled.

“It’s the best thing to happen to equestrian sports! Emojis are the future. Now, when I post my test on Instagram, people will actually understand what’s happening!”

Showing: Where ‘💖’ Means Everything

The showing world, famous for its incredibly subjective judging, is actually quite enthusiastic. “This makes total sense,” declared Isabella Rinaldi (ITA), the wealthy amateur who thrives in the show ring. “Scores were always based on who the judges liked anyway. Now at least we’ll have cute emojis instead of awkwardly vague comment cards.”

Pony Club mum Debbie Masters (USA) is already planning her daughter's entire next season around the new system.

“Will we get bonus points if we match our outfits to the emojis? Should I start bribing judges with cupcakes with ‘😍’ on them?”

The Final Verdict

While riders, trainers, and officials argue over whether this is the end of serious equestrian sport or a genius marketing strategy, Alex Ferreira remains steadfast. “We must move with the times,” he insists. “And let’s be honest—at least now, no one will be able to complain about ‘corrupt judging’ when they only get a ‘🤷‍♂️’ for their performance.”

Meanwhile, Paddy O’Sullivan (IRE), the gruff Irish racehorse trainer, just downed his whiskey and sighed. “Bloody hell. Just wait—next, they’ll be running the Olympics on TikTok.”