Olympian Heath Ryan suspended by Equestrian Australia over shocking horse-whipping video
Olympian
Heath Ryan
has been suspended by
Equestrian Australia
following the emergence of a shocking video showing him repeatedly whipping a horse over 40 times.
The footage, which quickly sparked outrage across the equestrian community and on social media, led to swift action from the governing body.
Equestrian Australia said it was 'extremely alarmed and concerned' by the footage.
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
default
, selected
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
In a statement, the governing body announced a provisional suspension of the individual's membership, along with all associated rights, privileges, and benefits.
The suspension will remain in effect while the matter is investigated by Equestrian Australia's integrity unit.
Live Events
— Minnie1602 (@Minnie1602)
Ryan, a veteran equestrian who represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said in a statement he had been acting in the animal's 'best interests'.
Ryan justified his brutal act, saying it had been a 'life or death moment' for the horse, named Nico.
He described the six-year-old horse as a longtime "problem child," claiming it was bound for the knackery following a previous incident that left a family friend in intensive care.
He stated that the video was recorded two years ago and was shared by a disgruntled former employee, adding that Nico is now thriving in a new home.
"I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery," Ryan said.
"That video was a life or death moment for Nico and I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options.
"All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Aaron Rodgers' helmet drama overshadows Steelers debut as NFL bans longtime gear of choice
Aaron Rodgers' NFL comeback with the Pittsburgh Steelers faces an unexpected hurdle (Imagn Images) Aaron Rodgers may have finally inked a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the quarterback isn't completely at ease as he prepares for his 2025 NFL comeback. While fans are still wrapping their heads around seeing the four-time MVP in black and gold, Rodgers is grappling with a very personal equipment crisis — the NFL has banned his favorite helmet model just ahead of the season. The NFL's crackdown leaves Aaron Rodgers scrambling for new gear During his first press conference as a Steeler, Rodgers didn't hold back when asked about the NFL's updated helmet guidelines. His frustration was clear, and for good reason — the league recently banned the Schutt Air XP Q11 helmet, Rodgers' trusted gear for over two decades. ' I can't stand the [new] helmet,' Rodgers admitted. 'I've worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn't pass the safety standards.' The Schutt Air XP Q11 was already marked as "not recommended" in 2024 and has since been completely disqualified by the league's safety committee. According to NFL Chief Football Administrative Officer Dawn Aponte, the move is part of a broader initiative to enhance player protection and reduce head injuries. 'As helmet technology continues to improve, widespread adoption among players continues to make a difference,' Aponte said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo 'Equipment staff at the club level serve a critical role in helping players understand the current offerings and work with them to select an option that levels up protection and offers a great fit.' The irony? Rodgers' previously trusted helmet had been considered a "Top-Performing" model as recently as 2022 — a sharp reminder of how rapidly safety standards and technology are evolving in the league. For Rodgers, who will turn 42 later this year, switching helmets isn't just a minor inconvenience. It's a major adjustment at a point in his career where comfort and consistency could make all the difference. With training camp looming and the spotlight burning even brighter in Pittsburgh, Rodgers now faces the task of adapting to unfamiliar equipment while attempting to lead the Steelers into playoff contention. Also Read: Will the Steelers regret signing Aaron Rodgers before Thanksgiving, as predicted by a former Jets GM? The veteran signed a one-year deal worth $13.65 million, with an additional $5.85 million in incentives. Coming off a solid 2024 season with the Jets — 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — expectations are sky-high. Whether a new helmet will throw him off his rhythm remains to be seen.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky filmed in awkward moment at 2016 U.S. Open by Oakmont cameraman
Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina filmed in awkward moment at 2016 U.S. Open by Oakmont cameraman (Image via Getty) Paulina Gretzky, Wayne Gretzky's daughter, recorded an unpleasant incident at the 2016 U. S. Open; she showed up to support her boyfriend, Dustin Johnson, who plays golf. Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania hosted the June 19, 2016, tournament. Johnson believed this was a really important day. He won his first major title. Paulina Gretzky filmed closely during Dustin Johnson's big win at U.S. Open Paulina, the daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, was by his side. She wore a short white dress and cheered for him through the final round. But something else caught fans' attention that day. FOX Sports was providing coverage of the event. Many viewers observed that their cameras showed Paulina repeatedly. One time she climbed the steps with Dustin and a cameraman shot her from behind. She seemed to be adjusting her dress to avoid riding up. On television, the instant seemed clumsy. People watching felt it was too much. They thought the camera angle was unnecessary. The focus was supposed to be on golf, not on Paulina. Some fans said it felt uncomfortable to watch. Others believed it went too far. Paulina Gretzky's experience sparked social media firestorm The clip quickly spread online. Many viewers shared their thoughts on social media. One person on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, 'This is just plain creepy.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Classic Solitaire , Built for Desktop Play Solitaire Download Undo Another said, 'The cameraman needs to chill. This is not part of the game.' Also Read: Wayne Gretzky's Daughter Paulina Gretzky Draws Attention With Dustin Johnson Photos Before U.S. Open Fans felt Paulina was being treated like part of the show. Some said it looked more like entertainment coverage than sports. A few users even joked that Wayne Gretzky himself must have been furious. Even though there was a lot of online backlash, FOX Sports never gave a public reply. They didn't address the moment or the viewers' complaints. But the story stuck around. People kept talking about it after the event. Paulina and Dustin have been together since 2009. They got engaged in 2013 and were married in 2022. They now have two kids. Paulina has always supported Dustin at big tournaments. Now, in 2025, the U.S. Open is back at Oakmont. That old clip has come back into the spotlight. Many fans still remember that moment and are talking about it again.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Madurai student to play int'l disability cricket series in England
Madurai: G Vikash Ganeshkumar, a 21-year-old student from The Bethshan Higher Special School in Pasumalai, Madurai, is set to represent India in the upcoming International T20 Mixed Disability Cricket Series against England. The series is scheduled to be held in London from June 15 to July 4. Vikash is one of only four intellectually disabled players in the 16-member Indian squad and the sole representative from Tamil Nadu. The series is organised by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) in collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board. Vikash's mother, Prema Latha, recalls discovering that her son was mildly intellectually disabled at the age of five. "He studied in a mainstream school until Class 8. Later, we enrolled him at Bethshan, where teachers encouraged him to try different sports. Though he always loved cricket, it wasn't a part of the Special Olympics programme back then," she said. His father, Ganesh Kumar, a sub-inspector in charge of the dog squad with Madurai police, said Vikash initially explored other sports like badminton to qualify for special events. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo "But the moment cricket was included in the mixed disability category, he focused fully on it. He first played at the district level, then qualified for the state-level competition in Perambur. The DCCI selectors noticed him and even asked for videos of him batting and bowling," he said. That video, combined with his state-level performance, earned him a call from the DCCI a month ago. "That day was the happiest moment of his life. His dream was always to wear the India jersey. As a mother, I often wondered if it would be possible. But my mother always believed he would achieve something great — and today, he has," said Latha. Vikash is currently undergoing training in Jaipur and will fly to England on Saturday. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
