Two-time Olympic equestrian champion Mark Todd has been suspended for assaulting a horse during training

Twice Olympic Champion RidingAnd the Mark Todd commented by British Racehorse Authority (BHA) After a video clip surfaced showing him hitting a horse with a branch during cross-country training in the UK. The 65-year-old New Zealander, who is now training racehorses, was seen attacking the animal several times while trying to persuade it to jump into the water.

“The head of the Independent Judicial Authority of British Racing has today approved a request by the British Housing Authority (BHA) to place a temporary suspension of Sir Mark Todd’s coaching license after a video emerged over the weekend showing him striking a horse with what appeared to be an attack on him,” the entity said in a statement on Wednesday.

The temporary suspension means Todd, who trains in Wiltshire, Britain, will not be able to race horses on British soil and internationally until investigations into the circumstances of the crash are closed.

This, from Sir Mark Todd, is absolutely disgusting.

This is not the behavior of a person who has been knighted for his services in equestrian sports pic.twitter.com/fRIa5D27cy – Andrew Gordie (@AndrewGourdie) February 12 2022

Todd – who is called Sir for his accomplishments in the sport – won individual gold medals at the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics and also took home a bronze in the team event at the 2012 London Games. Sorry.

“I sincerely apologize to the horse and all involved for my actions in this video. One of the main things I recommend is instilling mutual respect between horse and rider, and that patience and kindness are the best way to get results. Key traits, along with great compassion for animals, have allowed me Having a long and successful career in dressage. I am very disappointed in myself for not committing to it in this case.”