The subject was near the top of the agenda when the world governing body's new dressage task force meet in Switzerland where judges and the scoring system used came under close scrutiny.

 

The task force was set up by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) last November to create a more transparent and democratic sport.

 

Skating completely overhauled its judging system following a major scandal at the 2002 Winter Olympics where accusations of corruption and bias almost brought down the sport.

 

Mariette Withages, the chairman of the FEI's Dressage Committee, resigned last year.

 

The move followed a request by FEI president Princess Haya for the entire committee to resign, saying it did not fully represent the interests of the dressage community.

 

The FEI's ruling Executive Board then established an Ad Hoc Working Group of dressage experts to review key issues and inject a new focus in the sport.

 

The task force will present a full plan for the Olympic discipline to the FEI General Assembly this November, and earlier this month handed a progress update to the FEI bureau.

 

The update included proposals to increase the number of riders per nation in international competition back to four.

 

Many within the sport had hoped the FEI would apply to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by the end of this month for more horses to compete in London to enable four riders per country, instead of the current three.

 

But FEI executive sports director David Holmes said: "The bureau wants to present the whole plan [to the IOC] as was agreed at the General Assembly last year."

 

Britain's Richard Davison sits on the task force as rider representative.

 

He said: "It was disappointing [the interim plans were not put forward], but applying to the IOC is like applying for planning permission - it's only a request.

 

"All sorts of sports - new and existing - want extra athletes included for the 2012 Games, so nothing is certain for horse sport.

 

"This means the same number of horses will compete at 2012, and although it still needs to be ratified by the IOC, whether three or four dressage riders represent each nation is more of an 'internal' decision for the FEI.

 

"We have to ensure that if we increase the number of riders per nation, the number of nations competing does not decrease."