In 2018, Karin Pekarchik, MS, senior extension associate for distance learning, and Kimberly Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and the Equestrian Athlete Initiative director for research for the Sports Medicine Research Institute, cofounded the University of Kentucky Female Health and Wellness Community of Practice (CoP) to focus on equestrian health, inviting international researchers, instructors and practitioners in fields related to equestrianism to become members.

The purpose of the community of practice is to bring together equestrian researchers and industry practitioners to discuss the current status and future challenges of equestrian health and wellness and to serve as a centralized resource for communities, researchers and citizen scientists.

Collectively, that CoP drafted a consensus statement that also included proposals and recommendations. This international community of practice was an initiative of the University of Kentucky Female Equestrian Health and Wellness CoP.

The CoP’s consensus statement on female equestrian health and wellness outcomes provides six proposals and corresponding recommendations to guide researchers, organizations and equestrians.