Disturbing footage has surfaced of former Olympic equestrian champion Sir Mark Todd repeatedly hitting a horse with a stick.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is investigating an incident whereby Todd strikes a horse 10 times to force it into a water jump.
Todd, an individual gold medallist at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics, struck the horse during a cross-country training session.
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The BHA said that Todd’s actions “fell a long way short of the standards of care we expect of licensed individuals”.
New Zealand Newshub sports journalist Andrew Gourdie was more scathing in his assessment of the footage, taking to Twitter to label it “absolutely disgusting”.
Todd has apologised for his actions.
“I wholeheartedly apologise to the horse and all involved for my actions in this video clip,” Todd said.
“One of the main things I preach is about establishing a mutual respect between horse and rider, and that patience and kindness is the best way to get results.
https://twitter.com/AndrewGourdie/status/1492597704861437952
“I believe this is one of the main attributes along with a great empathy with animals that has enabled me to have a long and successful career in eventing.
“I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case.”
Todd was a two-time world champion and was knighted for his equestrian achievements in 2013.
He became a horserace trainer in 2019 after retiring from three-day eventing.
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