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Equestrian riders at Paris Olympics 'horr**ified' by video of Dujardin whipping a horse
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Equestrian athletes competing at the Paris Olympics have expressed profound shock and dismay following the release of a video showing three-time gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin from Great Britain repeatedly whipping a horse during training. This incident has intensified the ongoing debate over animal welfare and abuse within the sport.
Boyd Martin of the United States, who is participating in his fourth Olympics, voiced his horror at the footage. "Horse welfare is incredibly important; these magnificent animals mean so much to us," Martin stated after the first day of the individual eventing competition. "An animal is as much a teammate in this sport as any rider, and what was depicted in that video is completely unacceptable."
The controversy was further fueled by a separate incident involving Brazilian rider Carlos Parro. The Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) issued a formal warning to Parro after reviewing photos from the animal welfare group PETA. The images showed Parro allegedly engaging in a prohibited practice known as "Rollkur," which involves hyper-flexing a horse’s neck to the point where it impairs breathing. While this incident did not occur at the Paris Games, it has cast additional scrutiny on the treatment of horses in equestrian sports.
PETA’s senior vice president, Kathy Guillermo, expressed relief that the FEI had addressed their complaint but criticized the federation for not going further. "We are deeply concerned about the horse’s welfare. The rider should have been disqualified immediately by the safety team," Guillermo remarked.
Martin, who had not yet seen the controversial photos at the time of his statement, emphasized the need for positive reinforcement in training. "To get the best out of an animal, training should be about creating a desire to please, not about using punishment or instilling fear," he added.
The British equestrian team, already under intense scrutiny, faced additional pressure following the Dujardin video. Dujardin has withdrawn from the Games and is currently provisionally suspended from all equestrian events while the FEI conducts an investigation. "We stand 110% behind horse welfare," said Tom McEwen, another British rider. "This was a massive shock to the equestrian community, but we are committed to demonstrating the positive aspects of our sport."
David O’Connor, a former American equestrian star and current head of the FEI’s eventing committee, condemned Dujardin’s actions as “completely unacceptable” and affirmed the importance of maintaining rigorous ethical standards. O’Connor emphasized that public scrutiny is necessary for exposing and addressing unacceptable behavior in the sport. "We are committed to uncovering and addressing unethical practices wherever they occur," he said, asserting that any U.S. team rider caught in similar circumstances would face immediate expulsion.
In response to recent events, the FEI has announced new reforms aimed at promoting ethical training practices and improving horse welfare. For the first time at the Olympics, an equine welfare coordinator is on site. Goran Akerstrom, the FEI’s veterinary director, underscored the importance of recognizing both physical and emotional stress in horses.
Additionally, Emiliano Portale and his horse Future were eliminated from the dressage competition after blood was discovered in the horse’s mouth during post-competition checks. The FEI clarified that this was in accordance with welfare protocols and did not indicate any intent to harm the horse.
The safety of riders also remains a priority. Notable incidents include British rider Laura Collett’s near-fatal fall in 2013, which resulted in multiple serious injuries. The cross-country discipline, known for its higher risk of falls and injuries compared to dressage and jumping, continues to be a focus for safety improvements.
As the Paris Games progress, the equestrian community remains under close examination, with increased efforts to ensure the ethical treatment of both horses and riders.
Boyd Martin of the United States, who is participating in his fourth Olympics, voiced his horror at the footage. "Horse welfare is incredibly important; these magnificent animals mean so much to us," Martin stated after the first day of the individual eventing competition. "An animal is as much a teammate in this sport as any rider, and what was depicted in that video is completely unacceptable."
The controversy was further fueled by a separate incident involving Brazilian rider Carlos Parro. The Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) issued a formal warning to Parro after reviewing photos from the animal welfare group PETA. The images showed Parro allegedly engaging in a prohibited practice known as "Rollkur," which involves hyper-flexing a horse’s neck to the point where it impairs breathing. While this incident did not occur at the Paris Games, it has cast additional scrutiny on the treatment of horses in equestrian sports.
PETA’s senior vice president, Kathy Guillermo, expressed relief that the FEI had addressed their complaint but criticized the federation for not going further. "We are deeply concerned about the horse’s welfare. The rider should have been disqualified immediately by the safety team," Guillermo remarked.
Martin, who had not yet seen the controversial photos at the time of his statement, emphasized the need for positive reinforcement in training. "To get the best out of an animal, training should be about creating a desire to please, not about using punishment or instilling fear," he added.
The British equestrian team, already under intense scrutiny, faced additional pressure following the Dujardin video. Dujardin has withdrawn from the Games and is currently provisionally suspended from all equestrian events while the FEI conducts an investigation. "We stand 110% behind horse welfare," said Tom McEwen, another British rider. "This was a massive shock to the equestrian community, but we are committed to demonstrating the positive aspects of our sport."
David O’Connor, a former American equestrian star and current head of the FEI’s eventing committee, condemned Dujardin’s actions as “completely unacceptable” and affirmed the importance of maintaining rigorous ethical standards. O’Connor emphasized that public scrutiny is necessary for exposing and addressing unacceptable behavior in the sport. "We are committed to uncovering and addressing unethical practices wherever they occur," he said, asserting that any U.S. team rider caught in similar circumstances would face immediate expulsion.
In response to recent events, the FEI has announced new reforms aimed at promoting ethical training practices and improving horse welfare. For the first time at the Olympics, an equine welfare coordinator is on site. Goran Akerstrom, the FEI’s veterinary director, underscored the importance of recognizing both physical and emotional stress in horses.
Additionally, Emiliano Portale and his horse Future were eliminated from the dressage competition after blood was discovered in the horse’s mouth during post-competition checks. The FEI clarified that this was in accordance with welfare protocols and did not indicate any intent to harm the horse.
The safety of riders also remains a priority. Notable incidents include British rider Laura Collett’s near-fatal fall in 2013, which resulted in multiple serious injuries. The cross-country discipline, known for its higher risk of falls and injuries compared to dressage and jumping, continues to be a focus for safety improvements.
As the Paris Games progress, the equestrian community remains under close examination, with increased efforts to ensure the ethical treatment of both horses and riders.
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