HoloDressage: The End of Traditional Dressage?

By 2040, all dressage tests will be performed by holograms of riders with their horses, the Global Equestrian Federation (GEF) has announced. The move aims to improve welfare standards, eliminating stress and injuries while ensuring flawless performances.

“Horses deserve a break,” said GEF spokesperson Anna H. “With HoloDressage, there are no mistakes — just perfect execution. It also guarantees top-tier welfare, something we still struggle with today.”

Spectators will watch lifelike holograms of horses and riders perform in arenas worldwide, ensuring consistency without ethical concerns.

Hologram (Canva)

Some riders welcome the change.

“No more mistakes of the horses or annoying warm-ups, where unqualified people criticize everything we do” said dressage competitor Charlotte M. “Just let the hologram do its thing.”

Critics, like veteran rider Simon C., argue it removes the sport’s soul.

“But let’s be honest,” Anna H. countered, “today’s dressage horses already perform like machines. HoloDressage simply perfects what we’ve been striving for.”

Despite mixed reactions, the GEF believes HoloDressage will revolutionize the sport, ensuring peak welfare while making dressage more globally accessible.

“The future is virtual,” H. insists.

With real horses finally getting a well-earned rest, the question remains: if modern dressage already lacks true soul, will anyone even miss the real thing?