Equestrian Australia suspends Australian dressage Olympian following footage of horse whipping

Equestrian Australia has advised that following the emergence on social media of a video depicting ‘a person’ repeatedly whipping a horse, Equestrian Australia has imposed a provisional suspension of this person’s membership and their rights, privileges and benefits associated with their membership.

The suspension will remain in place pending a thorough investigation of this matter by Equestrian Australia’s Integrity Unit.

While Equestrian Australia protected the name of the person involved in their statement other than advising the person is a member of Equestrian Australia, BBC has reported that it is Australian Olympian Heath Ryan who has been suspended by Equestrian Australia after the video emerged that appeared to show him repeatedly whipping a horse.

Ryan, 66, represented Australia in dressage at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Equestrian Australia advise they are “extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage.”

The suspension means Ryan may take no part in competitions or events as competitor or Official or in the organisation of, or participation in, any event under the jurisdiction of Equestrian Australia.

The suspension will remain in place pending a thorough investigation of this matter by Equestrian Australia’s Integrity Unit.

As reported in the BBC, the video - said by Ryan to be about two years old - shows a man striking a horse around 40 times. Ryan issued a statement to say he was acting in "the horse's best interest".

Ryan said the horse, named Nico, came to him after an accident which resulted in a female rider needing hospital treatment.

According to the BBC, Ryan said that Nico "had always been a problem child and would just not stop" and after the video he was able to rehome the horse.

Ryan 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."

Equestrian Australia’s Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy includes high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions during all EA endorsed equestrian activities that are conducted under the auspices of EA or by any EA affiliate.

They also have a Code of Conduct which requires participants to adhere to the FEI code of conduct for the welfare of the horse.

Equestrian Australian also noted they “take matters of animal welfare very seriously. Contrary to commentary on YouTube, we have no information to suggest Equestrian Australia management asked for the footage of this incident to be removed.”