Australian Olympian Heath Ryan banned after alleged horse abuse investigation

Australian Olympian Heath Ryan has been suspended for 18 months and fined by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) following an investigation into allegations of horse abuse.

The 68‑year‑old competitor was handed a retroactive suspension by the FEI on Saturday, 12 June 2025. Under the decision, which cites violation of the FEI code of conduct regarding animal welfare, the prohibition shall commence on 12 June 2025 and expire on 12 December 2026.

The ruling, issued by the FEI Tribunal under Article 142.1 of the FEI General Regulations, concludes that Ryan engaged in horse abuse and brought both the sport and the organization into disrepute.

“The FEI Tribunal concluded that Ryan engaged in horse abuse pursuant to Article 142.1 of the FEI General Regulations, bringing both the FEI and equestrian sport into disrepute,”

the Swiss‑based governing body stated in a formal warning to the athlete.

In addition to the suspension, FEI imposed a fine of 3,000 Swiss francs (approximately USD 5,174), which the athlete was required to contribute toward legal fees. These penalties follow concerns raised after a video surfaced showing Ryan whipping a horse multiple times.

When the earlier suspension was previously enforced by Equestrian Australia in June 2025, Ryan released a long statement on social media defending his actions, asserting that he had rescued the six‑year‑old horse from being destroyed after it began aggressive behaviour following an attack on its owner.

“The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery,”

“I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable … and never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video,”

he wrote, recalling how the animal was taken to be euthanized.

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