Olympic rider suspended after horse whipping video

Footage from two years ago has surfaced, and is being investigated by the rider's federations

- By ELEANOR JONES

AUSTRALIAN Olympic rider Heath Ryan said he is sad an "awful" video has surfaced of him repeatedly whipping a young horse - which he described as part of a "rescue mission", and which the FEI and Equestrian Australia (EA) are investigating.

The 66-year-old, who competed at the 2008 Games in dressage and was eventing at four-star level in 2024, has been provisionally suspended as of 12 June.

An EA spokesperson told H&H the federation is aware of the footage and had received a formal complaint.

"EA is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse," he said.

"The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia. EA is currently investigating this matter and will have more to say when we have more information."

In a statement, Heath said the “most awful video” was taken two years ago, of a six-year-old called Nico, a “beautiful type” who was “dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery”.

“He was genetically a result of my best stallions, all of which were successful in grand prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred,” he said.

“Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico.