Australian dressage Olympian Heath Ryan has been provisionally suspended by both Equestrian Australia and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) following the release of disturbing footage showing him repeatedly whipping a horse during a training session. The video, which began circulating online earlier this week, shows the 66-year-old rider striking a six-year-old gelding named Nico more than 40 times inside an indoor arena. The footage, reportedly filmed two years ago, was shared by a former displeased staff member, sparking immediate public outrage and swift action from governing bodies.
Equestrian Australia confirmed the provisional suspension and announced that an integrity investigation is underway. “The welfare of the horse is of paramount importance,” the federation stated. “The footage is extremely concerning and falls well below the standards expected within our sport.”
The FEI has echoed this stance, issuing its own suspension pending further disciplinary proceedings under its equine welfare and conduct regulations.
Ryan, a long-time figure in Australian equestrian sport who represented the country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, defended his actions in a public statement. He claimed that Nico had previously injured a rider and was destined for euthanasia. “This was a rescue mission,” Ryan wrote, arguing that the training methods used, while severe, were aimed at correcting dangerous behaviour and ultimately led to the horse being successfully retrained and re-homed.
The explanation has done little to calm the growing backlash. Major sponsors including Bates Saddles, Pryde’s EasiFeed, and Horseland have terminated their partnerships with Ryan in response to the footage.
In a further development, the RSPCA has confirmed it is conducting its own inquiry into potential breaches of animal welfare legislation.
This case comes at a time of heightened scrutiny in the sport, following similar controversies involving high-level riders. In 2023, British Olympian Charlotte Dujardin was banned for a year by the FEI after video evidence emerged of her striking a horse with a whip during training—a case that reignited global debate over acceptable training practices in elite dressage.
Animal welfare advocates and leading figures in the equestrian community are calling for increased transparency, better education, and tougher enforcement to ensure horses are protected from mistreatment, regardless of competitive standing.
