This issue dominated a four-hour panel discussion here today at the annual FEI Sports Forum, where 320 delegates discussed a range of issues also including a name change away from three day eventing.

Under the latest Olympic format plans, to be introduced with the aim of increasing the number of countries competing at the Games, the scores of all three riders in the team would count.

This contrasts with the current system in which the lowest score of the riders is discarded.

In total, there are 200 spots for riders at the Games across the three disciplines of dressage, showjumping and three day eventing.

As many as 55 countries could therefore compete in the reduced team format, FEI first vice-president John Madden claimed, a 25 per cent increase on current numbers, with this viewed as a key way to boost the sport in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee.

“We have discussed three-rider teams three times now [at two forums and one General Assembly]," said FEI President Ingmar De Vos afterwards.

"After today, we can say this is the way we have to go."

But the issue was fiercely criticised by others, who claimed the change could place undue pressure on horses and that the overall standard of the event could be worsened.

Dressage appears to be more accepting of the plans, but concerns are particularly high in the showjumping and eventing communities.

Another to register his discontent was Switzerland's London 2012 showjumping champion, Steve Guerdat.

“Involving people who are not able to jump 1.45 metres is not good for anybody,” he said.

“Four riders with no drop score is not that difficult to understand."

Other athletes are far more supportive, the FEI claims.

The issue will now be voted upon at the FEI General Assembly in Tokyo from November 18 to 22, where a simple majority will be required for the measure to pass.

Maintaining a popular sports presentation in the midst of changes designed to better market the sport is proving a major challenge. 

A “Two Hearts” global communication campaign was also unveiled today by FEI director of corporate communications Richard Johnson, who urged all Federations to get behind the concept. 

The name change away from three day eventing is an idea with a similar aim of rolling out the sport to a younger audience.

Four alternative names were proposed: equestrian triathlon, equi-triathlon, equestrio and triquestrian.

Other ideas were subsequently suggested, however, including "horse triathlon", with more discussions now set to take place ahead of the November meeting in Tokyo.