Repeated Horse Abuse Controversies... Will 'Seungma' Be Removed from the Olympics? [Paris Olympics]

Leading Medalist's Participation Canceled
Calls Continue to Remove Equestrian from Olympics
"A Sport That Enforces Violence... Animal Suffering"

There is growing demand to remove the equestrian event, where athletes compete by controlling horses, from the Olympics. Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, a video showing British equestrian Charlotte Dujardin whipping her horse 24 times in one minute has spread, intensifying the controversy over animal abuse in equestrian sports. Equestrian is the only Olympic event where humans and animals (horses) perform in harmony. It was officially adopted as an event at the 1900 Paris Olympics and has continued for 124 years. Six medals are awarded in total across three disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and eventing, both individual and team competitions.

Dujardin, at the center of the horse abuse controversy, has lost her qualification to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the video, the horse being whipped is cornered against the riding arena wall, moving to a corner with a dejected expression as if trying to escape. The student athlete who released the video said, "Dujardin treated the horse like an elephant in a circus." As the animal abuse controversy grew, Dujardin apologized, saying, "I am very ashamed" and "There is no excuse."

Dujardin had been considered a strong favorite to win at this Paris Olympics and a leading candidate to be the flag bearer for the British team at the opening ceremony. Had she competed as planned and won medals, she could have surpassed cyclist Laura Kenny (5 gold medals, 1 silver medal) to become the British female athlete with the most Olympic medals, but the controversy she caused has dashed those hopes. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) also revoked Dujardin's eligibility to participate in international competitions.

[Photo by Pixabay]

Following this, the international animal rights organization PETA issued a statement criticizing, "Horses do not run of their own will. They only obey violence and coercion." They also demanded that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) remove equestrian events from the Olympics. PETA emphasized, "Events that exploit animals have no place in the Olympics. The Olympics must now modernize."

Kicking the Horse’s Belly and Whipping... Is It Sport or Animal Abuse?

Animal rights groups focus on the significant pain animals endure, arguing that equestrian should not be viewed simply as a "sport." Horses used in equestrian events have a metal bit called a "jigal" placed between their front and molar teeth for control. When the rider pulls the reins attached to the bit, it inevitably causes pain to the horse’s tongue, lips, and palate.

Additionally, spurs are attached to the rider’s boots. These are used to kick the horse’s abdomen to stimulate it to run faster. Moreover, riders repeatedly whip the horse’s shoulders or hindquarters until they reach the finish line. In fact, the first thing taught when learning equestrian is how to use the whip. During this process, horses experience tremendous pain and stress.

Of course, the principle of equestrian is "not to cause unnecessary pain or pressure to the horse." If a horse bleeds from its mouth or side during a competition, the rider is disqualified. However, riders frequently apply pressure to horses using bits and spurs to achieve better results. Animal rights groups unanimously agree that animals should not suffer and be sacrificed for human enjoyment of "sports."

[Photo by Pixabay]

Will It Be Removed from the Olympics Following Modern Pentathlon?

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a controversy arose when Anika Schleu’s (Germany) coach punched the horse assigned for the equestrian segment of the modern pentathlon (which combines fencing, swimming, equestrian, athletics, and shooting) after the horse did not obey, and repeatedly instructed the athlete to whip the horse. The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) executive committee decided to remove equestrian from the five disciplines of the modern pentathlon starting from the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics and replace it with another obstacle event.

As calls to remove equestrian from the Olympics grow louder amid repeated abuse controversies, there is speculation that the equestrian event itself may disappear from the Olympics. Tug of war, rope climbing, and wrestling have previously been removed from the Olympic program, while golf disappeared after the 1900 and 1904 Games but returned in 2016 after 112 years. The IOC determines events by considering various factors such as competition format, participation of top athletes, number of countries participating in world championships, ticket sales for world championships, media exposure, and popularity and costs in the host country.