Heath Ryan: FEI Investigation – Horse Whipping Allegations
The FEI is investigating Australian equestrian Heath Ryan following a concerning incident,as Equestrian Australia offers its full support. The inquiry, spurred by a video revealing Ryan’s interaction wiht a horse, will determine if disciplinary action is warranted. Ryan defends his actions, claiming the welfare of the animal was paramount. This echoes a previous case involving Charlotte Dujardin and highlights the FEI’s commitment to upholding standards within the equestrian discipline. News Directory 3 is closely following this developing story, bringing you the latest updates. The investigation, expected to take several weeks, underscores the importance of animal welfare in the sport. Find out if the final outcome will be announced soon, as Equestrian Australia makes available updates. Discover what’s next …
Equestrian Australia Supports FEI Investigation of Heath Ryan Incident
Updated June 20,2025
Equestrian Australia is supporting the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as it investigates an incident involving Australian equestrian Heath Ryan. A video surfaced showing Ryan’s interaction with a horse, prompting concern from the equestrian community.
Ryan, who competed in dressage at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finishing seventh, stated the horse, Nico, came to him after an accident injured it’s previous rider. He described Nico as a “problem child” and said he rehomed the horse after the video incident.
Sam Jones,CEO of Equestrian Australia,said it was appropriate for the FEI to lead the investigation. “Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can,” Jones said. He also asked the community for patience as the FEI conducts a thorough review,following established policies.
Ryan defended his actions, saying the video captured a “life or death moment” for Nico. He added, “All of this transpired sincerely with the horse’s best interests the sole consideration…it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video.”
The incident echoes a similar situation involving British Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, who received a one-year ban from the FEI after a video showed her striking a horse with a whip. The FEI’s investigation into Ryan will determine if disciplinary action is warranted in this latest equestrian discipline case.
What’s next
The FEI investigation is expected to take several weeks. Equestrian Australia will provide updates as they become available, emphasizing its commitment to animal welfare and fair play in equestrian sports.