Aussie Olympian Heath Ryan is caught on video subjecting a horse to a shocking act 42 TIMES - but star insists it was actually a 'rescue mission'
Aussie Olympian Heath Ryan insists he was on a 'rescue mission' after horrific footage emerged of the international equestrian star whipping a horse more than 40 times at a private stable.
Ryan, 66, who competed at the 2008 Games in Beijing in the dressage team event, issued a statement online after the confronting vision appeared on social media via US-based Facebook page Dressage Hub.
He conceded the footage is 'awful' - but the Newcastle based rider maintained he was doing his utmost to ensure the horse wasn't sent to the slaughter house.
Ryan also claimed the vision was posted 'by an unhappy ex-employee.'
'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced,' his lengthy Facebook post began.
'This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type.
'(After the repeated whipping) I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well.
'All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration.
Heath Ryan's lengthy statement after the confronting vision appeared on social media via Facebook page Dressage Hub
'I (also) need to add that this happened about two years ago.....and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex-employee.
'All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission.'
Ryan has competed in equestrian events in Australia for decades, with his crowning achievement an appearance at the Beijing Olympics.
He is also the brother of triple Olympic equestrian gold medallist Matt Ryan, who was part of the eventing team who famously stormed to victory at the Sydney Games in 2000.
The incident follows British golden girl Charlotte Dujardin sensationally quitting just days before the 2024 Paris Olympics after a video emerged of her allegedly whipping a horse on the legs repeatedly.
Last December, Dujardin was suspended from the sport for 12 months by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), as the six-time Olympic medallist conceded she made an 'an error of judgement' during a coaching session.
Dujardin had returned to competition leading into Paris after giving birth to her first child Isabella in March of 2023.
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