Two-time Olympic champion suspended for assaulting a horse during training

Two-time Olympic equestrian champion (Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988) Mark Todd, 65, has received a BHA suspension after a video leaked of Todd hitting a horse with a wooden twig during athletic training. cross country in the UK. The former New Zealand athlete, now a trainer, trains runners and hit the animal several times when trying to persuade a horse to jump into the water.

In an official statement from the BHA, the authority said: “The chairperson of British Racing’s independent judiciary has today agreed to a request from the BHA that it should place a temporary suspension on Sir Mark Todd’s training license after it emerged at the weekend of a video showing him striking a horse with what appeared to be branch “.

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Mark Todd, who had been training in Wiltshire, Great Britain, was temporarily suspended and not allowed to race horses not only in the UK but also internationally, until an investigation into the controversial case in which he was involved is complete.

In a note issued, the former athlete, who even bears the nickname Sir He won in honor of his victories in the sport, and he apologized and expressed his regret: “I sincerely apologize to the mare and to everyone who was involved in my actions in this video. One of the most important things I preach is the instillation of mutual respect between horse and rider, and that patience and kindness are the best way to get results. I believe that this One of the main traits, along with a great empathy for animals, that has allowed me to have a long and successful career in dressage. I am very disappointed in myself for not sticking to it in this state.”