A disturbing video shot at a clinic in 2020 has emerged of retired New Zealand eventer Sir Mark Todd, 65, repeatedly whipping a horse with a tree branch to encourage it to enter the water. Response from the public has been swift and harsh, with many condemning the act and asking for his knighthood to be stripped. Many organizations in which he was involved have also issued statements.
This is the video which appeared on chloet.eventing’s Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2x1iboTRO/
The following statement was issued by World Horse Welfare, of which Todd was a patron of the charity:
“The treatment of the horse in this video is disturbing and unacceptable. There is no place in the horse-human partnership for such use of force. Mark agrees that his behaviour was wrong and we welcome his apology. Mark is a consummate horseman, who cares deeply for horses and their welfare but, in this case, either through losing his patience or acting out of frustration, he has badly let himself down.
To his credit, when the video came to Mark’s attention he contacted us and voluntarily stepped down as one of our Patrons. We all need to take heed from this episode. If equestrian sport, which we actively support, is to continue to maintain the acceptance of the public – its social licence – there cannot be any tolerance for unacceptable practises, no matter how experienced the rider or trainer.”
Mark Todd said in a statement:
“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.”
The owner of the horse remarked in her Instagram post, “Whether I have rightly or wrongly addressed a situation on social media is not relevant to the fact that a top level athlete excessively and repeatedly hit my horse with a tree branch. I personally am not comfortable with how my horse was treated and at the time I was a 21 year old girl who was not brave enough to speak up about my concerns. Now if you are the age I was and would confidently speak up against a famous top level athlete with no reservations without any support then I commend you because you are braver than I am.”
Gemma Stanford, Director of Welfare at The British Horse Society (BHS) said in a statement:
“The British Horse Society supports the horse and rider in all equine disciplines under the condition that the highest welfare and safety standards are adhered to at all times. The welfare of the horse should always be paramount. Riders at this level have an increased responsibility as they are role models and should also be setting an example for the next generation coming through our sport. The behaviour displayed by Mark Todd was completely unacceptable and should be thoroughly investigated.”
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is also looking into the incident.
Todd had a hugely successful eventing career, winning Olympic gold in 1984 and 1988. He was knighted for his services to equestrian sport in 2013. He retired from eventing three years ago and in addition to giving clinics also trains racehorses at his training centre in Wiltshire, UK, sending out 13 winners in 2021.
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