Eventing legend Sir Mark Todd has been suspended from racing horses after a video showed him whipping a horse with a branch.
The former Olympian turned trainer was slapped with the temporary ban by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
It means he will be unable to race horses in Britain or internationally until an investigation is done, but can continue training them for now.
It comes after footage showed the champion rider smacking the animal on its hindquarters with what looked like a stick during a cross-country schooling session.
Sir Mark, originally from New Zealand, said he ‘wholeheartedly apologises to the horse and all involved for my actions’.
Video footage, which is believed to be two years old and has now resurfaced on social media, allegedly shows Sir Mark Todd repeatedly smacking a horse with a stick
Double Olympic gold medallist event rider Sir Mark Todd (pictured) has issued a grovelling apology after a video allegedly showed him whipping a horse with a branch ten times to make it go through a water obstacle
The BHA said: ‘The Chair of British racing’s Independent Judicial Panel has today approved an application from the BHA that an interim suspension should be placed on the training licence of Sir Mark Todd following the emergence over the weekend of a video showing him striking a horse with what appears to be a branch.
‘This interim suspension means that while investigations continue into the circumstances of this incident, Sir Mark will be unable to race horses in Great Britain or internationally.
‘The trainer has admitted the individual involved in the video was him, has apologised for his actions and agreed to the imposition of an interim suspension.
‘On Sunday the BHA condemned the video and confirmed that it was looking into the incident.
‘The BHA will provide further updates as necessary in due course, though will not be able to comment on the detail of the investigation itself until it is concluded.
‘The interim suspension has been approved on the basis that it can be reviewed at a later date if necessary, on application by either party.’
The horse jumps from side to side, but still doesn’t move forwards through the water obstacle, and the animal is hit ten times before jumping into the water, the footage shows
Sir Mark (pictured in 2010), who is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated sportspeople, retired from riding in 2019 to relocate back to New Zealand and focus on training horses
Sir Mark cannot enter horses in races but can continue to train while the BHA investigates.
Yet he could lose his licence to train and compete as well as face a financial fine after an independent judiciary has weighed up the governing body’s evidence.
The video, which is believed to be two years old, allegedly showed Sir Mark, 65, repeatedly smacking a horse with what appeared to be a stick.
The clip, shared to TikTok last week by horse rider Chloe T, showed the animal being struck as it refused to cross water.
The horse jumped from side to side but after being hit around ten times it finally crossed the obstacle as onlookers cheered.
Sir Mark said on Saturday: ‘I wholeheartedly apologise to the horse and all involved for my actions in this video clip.
‘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.
‘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.’
He added in a statement: ‘I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case.’
Some equestrians were quick to leapt on the footage and condemn the former Olympic champion.
Jim Eyre, British Equestrian Chief Executive said: ‘We are aware of the video and, although the footage only shows a snapshot and not the full story, we are extremely dismayed by the actions of those who appear.
‘British Equestrian and all our member bodies put equine welfare at the forefront of all that we do.
‘We take such matters very seriously and understand this is a historic event but will endeavour to get full clarity.
‘We will co-operate with any relevant organisations who may investigate as it happened on private land and not at an event under the jurisdiction of any of our member bodies.’
Sir Mark (pictured in 2017) began his successful 22-year career as an event and show jumping rider after realising he was too tall to achieve his dream becoming a jockey
Julian Bowden, chief executive of Equestrian Sports New Zealand, said: ‘We are very disappointed to see this behaviour as it is certainly not something we endorse.’
An International Federation for Equestrian Sports spokesman said: ‘The FEI is disappointed and alarmed by the images in the video.
‘This is not acceptable behaviour and it goes against everything we stand for and the values we encourage and expect from all horsemen and horsewomen.
‘Every individual in the equestrian community has a responsibility and a duty to safeguard and protect the horses in their care and embrace a zero tolerance attitude when it comes to any form of equine abuse and mistreatment.
‘Any violation of that important responsibility cannot be overlooked or condoned, and the FEI will investigate whenever sporting and training methods are in clear disregard of the health and welfare of our most valued partner, the horse.
‘The foundations of our sport rest on our partnership with the horse, and it is up to all equestrians to uphold and respect this core principle in the pursuit of sport and leisure riding.’
Grace Shayler, Horse Welfare and Training Supervisor at Blue Cross, said: ‘Recently released footage shows Mark Todd using a branch as a whip excessively, in order to force the horse to move into the water.
‘Sadly, time and again Blue Cross see the impact of incidents like this, where individuals have used totally unacceptable force on horses and ponies.
‘The video may be two years old but, unfortunately, heavy-handed treatment of horses remains commonplace.
‘Our charity deals with the fall-out from outdated methods of ‘training’, and we are needed to rehabilitate horses who are nervous and psychologically affected by mistreatments.
‘Anyone in a position of influence, like Mark Todd, should act as a role model to eradicate techniques which rely on the horse’s fear from the equine world.
‘And instead, to champion positive and compassionate training, through ‘Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive’ (LIMA) training methods.’
His achievements include winning two Olympic gold medals at the Games in Los Angeles (pictured riding Charisma during the Games) and Seoul
Equine and farm supply company Equiwarehouse was the first to say it would be ‘cancelling’ Sir Mark and refusing to sell any more of his products.
The firm wrote: ‘With no regret at all, we will no longer be selling any Mark Todd clothing, horse wear or feed.
‘Mark Todd Eventing you should be utterly ashamed of yourself, vile ‘professional’ and disgrace of a human.’
Mimi Bekhechi, from PETA UK, said: ‘Sir Mark Todd not only must face the fullest extent of the law but also should have his CBE revoked immediately and be expelled from New Zealand’s Sports Hall of Fame. The only badge he deserves is one of shame.’
Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: ‘These sickening scenes will appal the vast majority of the public who are opposed to animal cruelty.’
Sir Mark began his 22-year career as an event and show jumping rider after realising he was too tall to achieve his dream becoming a jockey.
His success included two Olympic gold medals at the LA Angeles and Seoul Games, and taking the top spot at the World Championships in 1990 and 1998.
The rider, who was voted Rider of the 20th century by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, also won the Badminton Horse Trials four times and Burghley five times.
He also competed at the Summer 2012 Olympics, becoming New Zealand’s second oldest Olympian to compete at the Games.
Sir Mark also went on to compete at the 2016 Olympics, which saw him set another record, becoming the first New Zealander to compete at seven Olympic Games.
During his legendary career, he earned a reputation for being able to achieve champion performances on unfamiliar horses.
Sir Mark, who is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated sportspeople, retired from riding in 2019 to relocate back to New Zealand and focus on training horses.
He also owns a boutique training yard, Mark Todd Racing, in Wiltshire, which currently has 15 horses in training.
The former Olympic champion also founded the Mark Todd collection, an equestrian and country brand owned by HLM Investment Group, in which he has no legal or financial interests.
The collection includes branded horse wear, clothing, tack and grooming supplies.
Sir Mark is married to Carolyn Berry and has two children, Lauren and James. He separated from Carolyn in 2009 before the pair remarried in 2014.
Sir Mark and his wife Carolyn also breed horses, including Tahamkke, a multiple racehorse champion in South Korea, and champions The Duke and Mexican Rose.
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