Eventing great Sir Mark Todd APOLOGISES after video showed him whipping horse 'TEN times with a branch' to force it through water obstacle - as British Equestrian condemns video
Double Olympic gold medallist event rider Sir Mark Todd has apologised after a video showed him whipping a horse with a branch ten times to make it go through a water obstacle.
The footage, which is believed to be two years old and has recently resurfaced online, allegedly shows the New Zealand horseman, 65, repeatedly smacking a horse with what appears to be a stick.The clip, shared to TikTok this week by horse rider Chloe T, shows a horse being hit by a man, alleged to be Sir Mark, as it refused to cross a water obstacle.
Responding to the shocking video footage going viral again this week, Sir Mark issued a grovelling apology and said he was 'very disappointed in myself'.
He said: '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. I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case.'
It comes as the UK's national governing body, British Equestrian, said they were 'extremely dismayed' by the actions of those appearing in the clip on Saturday.
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
@chloet.eventing Reply to @abbier_eq ¿ original sound - Chloe T
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
In the video, 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 puddle, the footage shows.
People can then be heard cheering as the horse trots through the pool of water. It is not known where the footage was taken.
Jim Eyre, British Equestrian Chief Executive commented; '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.'
Commenting on the clip, social media users slammed the alleged whipping as 'abusive' and 'unacceptable'.
A caption read: 'After seeing the full video anyone is still indecisive over there stance on this, IT IS abusive and IT IS unacceptable.'
Some viewers pointed out it could have been a dressage or lunge whip rather than a branch.
Meanwhile, equine and farm supply company Equiwarehouse shared the video to its Facebook page and said it would no longer be selling any Mark Todd products in response.
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The company 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, Vice President of PETA UK, Europe and Australia said: 'For anyone who still thinks that equestrian events are benign activities, seeing one of the sport's most decorated and accomplished riders repeatedly beat a horse must surely remove those blinkers.
'This industry treats horses not as sentient, sensitive individuals but as disposable commodities. PETA is calling on the International Olympic Committee to remove all equestrian events from the Olympic Games.
'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.
And Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: 'These sickening scenes will appall the vast majority of the public who are opposed to animal cruelty.
'The equestrian world needs to get its house in order, prioritise animal welfare and stop the abuse of animals in the name of 'sport'.'
Meanwhile, other social media users were quick to slam the alleged whipping as 'heartbreaking' and 'disgusting'.
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
Taking to TikTok, one person wrote: 'Absolutely heartbreaking to watch, i'm so sorry you both had to go though that.'
Another said: 'I literally can't even watch this. i have to pause it every time.'
A third commented: 'That's awful! I'm so sorry your horse had to go through that.'
And a fourth penned: 'That is no way to treat any animal.'
When asked if she had sent the footage to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), poster Chloe said she was 'scared of backlash'.
It is not known if the alleged incident has been reported to the sports governing body.
Sir Mark 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.
His achievements include winning two Olympic gold medals at the Los Angeles and the Seoul Games, and taking the top spot at the World Championships in 1990 and 1998.
The esteemed rider, who was voted Rider of the 20th century by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, has also won the Badminton Horse Trials four times and Burghley five times.
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
His achievements include winning two Olympic gold medals at the Games in Los Angeles (pictured riding Charisma during the Games) and Seoul
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 which sells 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 have also been involved in breeding horses, including Tahamkke, a multiple racehorse champion in South Korea, and champions The Duke and Mexican Rose.
MailOnline has contacted Sir Mark's representatives, Mark Todd Racing, the FEI, British Equestrian and the British Horse Society for comment.
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