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The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Most awful video': Hunter Olympian suspended, being investigated for animal cruelty
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "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," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. '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. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. 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 of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 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. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "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," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. '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. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. 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 of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 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. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "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," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. '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. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. 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 of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 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. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "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," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. '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. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. 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 of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 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. Heath.'
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
FEI investigating Ryan for repeatedly whipping horse
The FEI, equestrian sport's world governing body, has launched an investigation into Australian Olympian Heath Ryan after a video emerged that appeared to show him repeatedly whipping a was suspended by Equestrian Australia last week after the video - said by Ryan to be about two years old - showed a man striking a horse about 40 FEI has now also provisionally suspended the 66-year-old, who issued a statement after the video emerged to say he was acting in "the horse's best interest".But the FEI says it has opened an investigation "following allegations of horse abuse reported to the FEI and Equestrian Australia, as well as the posting of a video on social media showing abusive training techniques"."The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibanez said."The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI rules and regulations. We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Sam Jones, the CEO of Equestrian Australia, added: "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter."Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can."We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures."Ryan represented Australia in dressage at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and finished said the horse, named Nico, came to him after an accident which resulted in a female rider needing hospital Australian said that Nico "had always been a problem child and would just not stop" and after the video he was able to rehome the said, external: "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."Britain's three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin missed the Paris Games last year after a video emerged of her repeatedly striking a horse around its legs with a long whip. She was subsequently banned for a year by the FEI.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
FEI cancels equestrian events in India due to non-payment of dues
New Delhi: In Amanpreet Singha development that will hurt the riders and the development of equestrian sport in the country, at least 24 domestic and international tournaments have been cancelled due to non-payment of dues to the world governing body, FEI, by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI). It has been learnt that EFI was supposed to pay about Rs 27 lakh to the FEI officials as remuneration and allied charges for various events held between January and March 2025. However, the federation's account stands frozen due to the infighting among the warring factions, leading to non-payments of dues, forcing FEI to take off the events from the calendar. The EFI also needs to settle accounts for unpaid salaries, various costs of tournaments hosted in the past year and other expenses running into almost two crore. 'EFI was supposed to pay remuneration to FEI officials for various Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage events held in Delhi, Meerut, and Jaipur. However, the bank has frozen the account due to different factions within the Federation claiming operational access,' an EFI source told PTI. 'It is embarrassing and the athletes are the biggest losers here, but that is the situation. The sports ministry has been apprised of the latest infighting,' the source added. The EFI was supposed to hold its election in September 2023 but litigations delayed the polls, following which a Committee of Administrators (CoA) was appointed by the Delhi High Court on May 21, 2024. The decision was challenged and, on May 29, the court reinstated the Executive Committee of the EFI as an interim measure, keeping in mind the participation of Indian riders in the Paris Olympics. The EC, in a meeting on April 11, 2025, without the presence of court-appointed observer SY Quraishi, decided to suspend Colonel Jaiveer Singh as secretary general of the Federation. Quraishi directed the EC to get the order approved from the court before its implementation. Colonel SS Ahlawat moved the court on May 5, seeking approval. However, the application was rejected on May 7 since the decision was not conforming to the law. 'The faction that removed the secretary general notified the development to FEI and also claimed the ownership of the bank account before getting the approval of the court. The bank then froze the account due to multiple stakes,' the source said. When contacted, Col. Jaiveer Singh confirmed the development.
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
EFI mess: Bank account freezed, FEI cancels equestrian events in India due to non-payment of dues
It has been learnt that EFI was supposed to pay about Rs 27 lakh to the FEI officials as remuneration and allied charges for various events held between January and March 2025.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Olympian Heath Ryan suspended by Equestrian Australia for allegedly whipping horse
Australian Olympian, Heath Ryan, has been suspended from national and international equestrian competition after a video emerged that appears to show him repeatedly striking a horse with a whip. Ryan, who represented Australia in dressage at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, acknowledged the video in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday. The 66-year-old defended the incident in his statement as part of a 'rescue mission' in rehabilitating a problem horse. Advertisement Related: Charlotte Dujardin 'fully respects' one-year ban over horse-whipping incident 'The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced,' Ryan said, going on to add that the six-year-old horse, Nico, had been 'dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery' after his former rider had an accident on the horse which resulted in them going to intensive care. Ryan said the incident was filmed two years ago and added that he 'felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable' and had 'never ridden anything like it'. 'I am so sad this was caught on video,' Ryan said. '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 of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options.' Advertisement Ryan said the video was from that first ride, and that over the next few rides Nico 'started to go without the use of excessive driving aids'. The horse was then sold to another Grand Prix dressage rider. 'All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration,' Ryan said. 'Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. 'What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico… 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 was suspended from Equestrian Australia, the national governing body, on Thursday, after it received a formal complaint. The suspension was mirrored by the international sporting organisation, the FEI. Advertisement Equestrian Australia said that it was 'extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage'. 'Equestrian Australia is aware of footage posted on social media showing a person repeatedly whipping a horse,' it said. 'The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia.' The governing body said a provisional suspension had been imposed pending an investigation by its integrity unit. It also denied claims it had requested the footage be taken down. 'Equestrian Australian takes matters of animal welfare very seriously,' it said. The suspension comes as the international dressage world is still trying to restore its social licence following another horse whipping scandal involving Great Britain's three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, who received a one-year suspension from international competition after video of her whipping a horse was released on the eve of the 2024 Paris Games.
