Sport In Mind has been announced as the Official Charity Partner for the 2025 London International Horse Show, marking a high-profile collaboration between one of the UK’s leading mental health sports charities and one of the world’s premier equestrian events. The partnership will see the charity take center stage at ExCeL London, using the global platform of the Show to raise awareness of the vital role that physical activity can play in supporting mental wellbeing. With thousands of spectators, top international riders, and extensive media coverage, the 2025 edition of the London International Horse Show is poised to become a powerful vehicle for Sport In Mind’s message of hope, inclusion, and the transformative impact of sport.
Sport In Mind partnership with London International Horse Show set to put mental health in the saddle
Bringing together the power of elite equestrian sport and the urgency of mental health advocacy, the collaboration will see Sport In Mind embedded across the 2025 Show program. From athlete-led conversations in the Live Zone to quiet reflection spaces in the halls, visitors will be invited to explore how riding, coaching and volunteering can become gateways to better wellbeing. The charity will work alongside riders, grooms and officials to highlight the mental pressures of performance sport, while showcasing practical, evidence-based tools that anyone in the equestrian community can use every day.
Throughout the event, spectators and participants will encounter dedicated touchpoints designed to turn awareness into action:
- On-site wellbeing hub offering information, signposting and brief check-ins.
- Interactive workshops focusing on confidence, resilience and managing competition stress.
- Story-led content featuring riders and fans sharing real experiences of mental health challenges.
- Fundraising moments integrated into the Show schedule to support new community sport programmes.
| Key Focus | What Guests Can Expect |
|---|---|
| Education | Short talks on protecting mental health in sport |
| Engagement | Meet-and-greet sessions with riders backing the campaign |
| Support | Access to resources and follow-up guidance after the Show |
How the 2025 official charity tie up will reshape wellbeing support for riders volunteers and fans
The partnership will see mental health support woven into the fabric of the Show experience, transforming how riders, volunteers and fans access and talk about wellbeing. Dedicated “Mind Zones” in athlete, volunteer and public areas will offer quiet spaces, rapid signposting to professional help, and practical tools to manage performance pressure, fatigue and anxiety. Coaches and grooms will receive briefings on how to recognize early signs of distress, while arena announcements and big-screen content will normalise conversations around mental health as much as discussions about form and fitness.For many, this will be the first time that structured psychological support sits alongside traditional sports medicine at a major equestrian event.
Across the showground, tailored initiatives will ensure that no group is overlooked:
- Riders gain access to pre-competition check-ins and post-round decompression sessions.
- Volunteers benefit from resilience workshops and debrief huddles to mitigate burnout.
- Fans are invited to drop-in wellbeing hubs offering short, accessible activities that encourage active lifestyles through sport.
| Group | Support Focus | On-Site Touchpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Riders | Performance pressure & recovery | Athlete Mind Zone |
| Young Riders | Confidence & self-belief | Junior Workshops |
| Volunteers | Energy management & boundaries | Volunteer Hub |
| Spectators | Everyday mental fitness | Fan Wellbeing Pods |
Inside the activation plan integrating fundraising awareness campaigns and on site mental health services
The partnership will unfold across the 2025 Show through a series of integrated touchpoints designed to inspire giving while normalising conversations around psychological wellbeing in sport. Dedicated donation hubs placed near key spectator routes will share real stories from riders and volunteers, while QR-enabled signage and big-screen features drive supporters to instant giving options and campaign content. Throughout the week, live interviews, behind-the-scenes video shorts and athlete-led features will spotlight how early mental health support can transform both performance and everyday life, turning the arena into a powerful platform for advocacy and also competition.
Alongside these awareness activities, discreet on-site support services will be made available to riders, grooms, officials and the wider Show community.Quiet, clearly signposted spaces will host drop-in sessions with trained professionals, while short, practical workshops will cover topics such as managing competition pressure, supporting teammates and recognising signs of distress. To bring the two strands together, a curated programme of moments across the Show schedule will link fundraising targets directly to tangible mental health outcomes, ensuring every pledge made in the stands contributes to meaningful, accessible care beyond the arena.
- Donation Hubs: staffed information points with contactless giving
- Story Corners: mini exhibits sharing lived experiences in equestrian sport
- Quiet Rooms: confidential spaces for one-to-one conversations
- Performance Clinics: short sessions on resilience and pressure management
| Activation | Main Audience | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Arena Features | Spectators | Increased campaign visibility |
| Rider Workshops | Athletes & grooms | Practical coping tools |
| Digital Giving | Global fans | Sustained fundraising |
| Quiet Spaces | All participants | Immediate emotional support |
What equestrian stakeholders can do now to maximise the impact of the Sport In Mind collaboration
Riders, owners, venue managers and brands can all play a decisive role in turning this partnership into meaningful change for mental health in equestrian sport. By integrating fundraising moments into existing fixtures – from arena demos and lecture demos to yard open days – stakeholders can raise both money and awareness without adding pressure to already packed calendars. Simple initiatives such as donating a percentage of start fees,offering an optional £1 add-on at the point of ticket or merchandise purchase,or dedicating one class per show to Sport In Mind can quickly build momentum across the season. Media partners and influencers meanwhile can amplify impact by weaving mental health storytelling into coverage: short rider interviews, behind-the-scenes features on wellbeing, and signposting to support services.
- Show organisers: Host Sport In Mind activations, charity classes and silent auctions.
- Riders & grooms: Champion wellbeing messages on social channels and at events.
- Yards & riding schools: Run charity clinics, clear-round evenings and open days.
- Brands & sponsors: Create limited-edition products with a donation per sale.
- Officials & coaches: Embed mental health signposting into training and briefings.
| Stakeholder | Fast-win Action |
|---|---|
| Show Centre | Add a £1 Sport In Mind option to online entries |
| Rider | Wear branded colours and share why mental health matters |
| Tack Shop | Create a donation box and point-of-sale awareness posters |
| Coach | Include a wellbeing check-in at the start of clinics |
Insights and Conclusions
As preparations for the 2025 London International Horse Show gather pace, the appointment of Sport In Mind as Official Charity Partner underlines a growing recognition of the vital role sport can play in transforming mental health outcomes.
By placing the charity’s work on a global stage, the Show is not only celebrating world-class equestrian sport, but also championing a cause that resonates far beyond the arena. As riders, spectators, and stakeholders look ahead to another landmark edition of this prestigious event, the partnership signals a clear intent: that the future of sport must be measured not only in trophies and titles, but in the lasting positive impact it leaves on people’s lives.
