AUSSIE former Olympian Heath Ryan has been suspended following the emergence of a distressing video in which he can be seen whipping a horse around 40 times.
Ryan, 66, represented Australia in dressage at Beijing 2008.
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Equestrian Australia have since suspended the Sydney-born rider, while launching an official investigation into the online video.
Their statement read: “Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage.
“Our policies include high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions.”
In a lengthy Facebook post, Ryan claimed that he had been trying to save the horse, named Nico, from being put down – and that the footage was taken around two years ago.
An excerpt of his post read: “Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced.
“This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type.
“(After the events of the video) I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well.
“All of this transpired sincerely with the horse’s best interests the sole consideration.
“I need to add that this happened about two years ago…..and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex-employee.
“All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission.”
Ryan went on to add: “I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery.
“That video was a life or death moment for Nico and I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options.
“All of this transpired sincerely with the horse’s best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video.”
DUJARDIN CONTROVERSY
Last summer, decorated British Olympian Charlotte Dujardin pulled out of the Paris Games just days before after video footage emerged of her whipping a horse.
Dujardin, 39, was subsequently handed a one-year ban by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist subsequently released a statement, in which she revealed that she was pregnant.
It read: “I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today.
“As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better. This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time.
“To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how I am – thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know.
“What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February.
“This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner Dean and I have been excited about for a long time.
“At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member.”
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