Katie, a 21-year-old showjumper, died in 2020. Her death was initially treated as suicide. Following a reconsideration of the case, a showjumping trainer named Jonathan Cresswell was charged with her murder. Jonathan Cresswell took his own life one day after his trial began in 2024.
The Katie Simpson Review was commissioned by the Minister for the Department of Justice of Northern Ireland to consider how agencies responded to risk in the case. It identifies failings and sets out clear recommendations to strengthen safeguarding, and enhance transparency and accountability across the justice system and partner organisations.
This article considers the concerns raised regarding the equestrian sector in Northern Ireland and the recommendations the author, Dr Jan Melia, makes regarding safeguarding going forward.
Katie Simpson was described in the Review as a “bright, bubbly young woman” with a strong work ethic, a bold sense of humour, and “a bright future ahead of her.” From around the age of ten, she developed a deep passion for horses, dedicating her time to riding, caring for animals, and competing in showjumping events. She was well known and loved within her rural community and spent much of her adolescence immersed in equestrian life. This early and sustained involvement placed her within close-knit yard environments from a young age, where personal and professional relationships often overlapped—an important contextual factor in understanding the safeguarding failures identified in the Review.
The Review exposes significant systemic weaknesses in safeguarding across parts of the equestrian sector. A central concern is the extent to which Jonathan Creswell was able to operate unchecked. The report highlights that he “may have associated with known sex offenders,” and that others of concern may also be present within the sector. Following Katie’s death, thirty-seven victims came forward alleging abuse, demonstrating the scale of harm and the prolonged failure to intervene. Witnesses described an environment in which Creswell was feared, capable of violence toward those who challenged him, and, in some instances, protected by others. A prevailing attitude that abusive behaviour was “none of their business” contributed to a culture of silence.
At the core of the failure lies a lack of regulation and oversight. Many of the equestrian settings in which Creswell worked were unaffiliated and therefore not subject to basic safeguarding requirements. Unlike regulated bodies, there were no mandatory background checks, safeguarding officers, or accountability mechanisms. Even after a previous conviction, Creswell was able to re-establish himself within the equestrian community and continue working with young people without scrutiny. The Review concludes that this absence of oversight allowed him to “operate with impunity,” exploiting trust and access within informal environments.
The demographic profile of the sport intensifies these risks. The Review notes that 85–88% of young participants in equestrian activities are female, although boys and vulnerable adults are also present and may face additional barriers to reporting concerns. Meanwhile, increasing participation by individuals with disabilities and those involved in therapeutic programmes adds further safeguarding complexity, particularly in environments where standards are inconsistent.
Cultural issues are also prominent. The Review identifies a tendency within some equestrian communities for informal relationships, reputation, and tradition to override professional safeguarding measures. Behaviour that should have prompted concern was sometimes normalised or dismissed as part of discipline or performance. This lack of “professional curiosity” combined with reluctance to challenge individuals in positions of influence, enabled abuse to persist.
While equestrian organisations in the UK and Ireland have established robust safeguarding frameworks—such as mandatory vetting, training, and reporting procedures—these do not extend across the entire sector. Unregulated yards remain a significant gap, creating uneven protection depending on where individuals ride or work.
The Review calls for systemic reform, including:
- mandatory registration or licensing of all equestrian facilities
- compulsory vetting
- independent oversight
- and improved reporting mechanisms.
It also emphasises the need for sector-wide cultural change, ensuring that safeguarding is treated as a universal, non-negotiable standard.
Ultimately, Katie Simpson’s case demonstrates the consequences of fragmented safeguarding systems. It reinforces the need for consistent regulation, enhanced awareness, and a culture in which welfare is prioritised above reputation or tradition across all areas of the equestrian sector.
The link to the full report can be found here.
