Australian Olympian and dressage champion Heath Ryan has been suspended by Equestrian Australia and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) after a video surfaced showing him whipping a horse named Nico around 42 times at his New South Wales property. The footage, uploaded by DressageHub, sparked widespread outrage, with Equestrian Australia expressing alarm and imposing an immediate suspension pending investigation. Ryan, who debuted at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has coached Australian eventing teams to gold, defended his actions by claiming the horse was dangerous and that the incident occurred two years ago, describing it as a “life or death moment” for Nico. He did not apologize but stated the horse is now thriving under new ownership.
The incident has ignited significant backlash within the equestrian community and beyond, with calls for stricter accountability and lifetime bans for abusive riders. The Animal Justice Party of NSW demanded the establishment of an independent Office of Animal Protection to prioritize animal welfare over industry interests. In response to the controversy, Bates Saddles, a major equestrian sponsor, terminated its long-standing partnership with Ryan, emphasizing their commitment to horse welfare. Meanwhile, the RSPCA NSW has launched an investigation into the alleged abuse, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment under animal cruelty laws.
