The modern pentathlon competition at Tokyo 2020 was overshadowed by an incident when German coach Kim Raisner was given a black card and disqualified after appearing to strike a horse. 

It sparked protests to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from animal rights activists and prompted the UIPM to replace riding with obstacle racing, with the riding element of the sport set to feature for the last time at an Olympics in Paris next year.

De Vos denied the future of other Olympic equestrian sport was in jeopardy.

"The IOC receives sometimes requests from activists, to remove equestrian sport from the Olympic programme, but the IOC has full confidence in the FEI and how they treat animal welfare," De Vos insisted.

"They have also asked us to look at the modern pentathlon situations for Paris, we are working very closely together with modern pentathlon to deliver successful modern pentathlon jumping competitions.

"We know we had this incident in modern pentathlon in Tokyo which badly reflected on the FEI."

Raisner was disqualified after appearing to strike Saint Boy after the horse had refused to jump during Annika Schleu’s round, a decision later upheld by a Disciplinary Commission and followed by an official reprimand.

At Paris 2024, modern pentathlon and equestrian sports will both take place at the Chateau de Versailles.

"Luckily this time we are in the same venue, in Tokyo we were in different venues so we were absolutely not aware," De Vos explained.

IOC President Thomas Bach and sports director Kit McConnell were FEI guests at the 2022 World Eventing Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro last September.

"It was very positive and a very good opportunity for us to showcase all the measures that are in place to preserve horse welfare," De Vos continued.

"This is also part of our responsibility to show clearly we believe that equestrian sport is part of the Olympics - it has always been there and it will always be there." 

De Vos said changes to the equestrian programme for Paris 2024 had also been made which would benefit horse and rider.

"We had a very good dialogue with the athletes and the federations about the formula for Paris and out of this dialogue came some aspects," he said.

The team jumping is to precede the individual competition and is designed to increase opportunities for familiarisation with the course.

Equestrian competitions at Paris 2024 are due to run from July 27 to August 6 2024, with modern pentathlon set to follow from August 8 to 11.