Annika Schleu pentathlon

Rider’s horse incident at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, and video showing her coach punching the horse in its backside

[@SilverstreamPJ28]

Idk why everyone feels bad for her. Horse refuses multiple times? Give up. Doesn't matter your level of competition, it NEVER justifies beating the shit out of an animal.

[@saelina4137]

@@Floriot-lp9xf bragging about wanting to hurt an animal isn't the flex it is. Hope you heal in therapy cause wanting to hurt another living creature is psycho bitch behavior

[@idm2389]

Are you an athlete ?

[@xxphosphene]

Absolutely. If a horse refuses to go over different jumps multiple times, there's something wrong. Horses are animals, not props.

[@SilverstreamPJ28]

@@idm2389 in fact, yes lol

[@SilverstreamPJ28]

@@xxphosphene Exactly. And considering how piss poor her riding is, no wonder the horse refused, I would too.

[@xxphosphene]

That horse is terrified. He's freaking out because she's having a meltdown and giving him way too many signals at once, he has no idea what he's actually supposed to do. The fact that he's being beaten constantly and hasn't thrown her off just shows what a patient horse that is. They should have never allowed them to go into the parkour like that. What happened there was absolutely disgusting and I hope they all get charged with animal abuse.

[@lottie8970]

I HOPE that they get changed with animal cruelty too!!! That poor poor horse, it breaks my heart!

[@idm2389]

She's having a meltdown because the horse refused to listen, it's not the other way around.

[@xxphosphene]

@@idm2389 He's reacting to her giving him the wrong signals. She doesn't ride well enough for that level of jumping and doesn't know what to do. Her fear is making him nervous and instead of dealing with it properly, she is beating and pulling him until he completely panics. That horse is not responsible for being given an amateur rider without proper experience

[@viro777]

I hope so too. Specially because they are horrible riders and they hurt the horses they ride....

[@sherrymendes257]

What a disgrace ...animal abuse on top of her inept ability to recognize the safety issue of her trying to jump those fences. I also noticed there has been NO Credible update on Saint Boy.

[@louiselang9289]

She gave so many mixed signals like she pulled on the reins so violently but she was kicking and when she got going she was hunching over and completely unbalanced and she was crying like grow up.Horses refuse all the time it is normal and only a professional rider would know.whipping the horse and yanking the reins whilst giving meaningless kicks into his gut is so wrong,she should take a step down if she rides like this

[@lucy.492]

right because if youre pulling the reins and kicking/hitting the horse at the same time it's really confusing the horse and thats why he kept backing up. he was confused that he wasnt being sent the right signals.

[@leeahkuehn9931]

I completely and utterly agree. I was about to say almost all the same words, until I saw your comment. She even looked like she had spurs on too. She didnt even try to give him a second or try and give him a little rein. She was having a meltdown just because a normal horse refused a jump, which is obviously completely normal. But the way she tried to handle it, was terrible. I know she was nervous, but she should have taking a deep breath, and stopped snacking him as hard as she could. She is so lucky she has a sweet horse that didnt rear or buck her off, because he has every right too if she is going to ride him like that. Kicking, yanking and smacking isnt going to help whatsoever, it's just going to make it worse. Pulling hard on the reins can cause the horse the horse to not trust you or a habit of head tossing. Hopefully that horse never let's that rider back on him before she learns how to ride better.

[@sixmercer2504]

100% agreed absolutely dead on. She should have been disqualified for the show of her complete temper tantrum and meltdown taking it out on the horse before she was even allowed in the arena. It was a dangerous situation by that point and abuse should never be permitted!

[@ahappyweeb8309]

When i was younger and the horse didnt do as i said, my trainer told me to try to whip it a little but i started since i didnt want to hurt the horse, but now i use the whip (carefully) but i still feel like im doing skmething wrong. Ok there was no reason to say that sorry

[@Poetessa2]

It was beyond disgusting to watch. I don't know why the judges didn't throw her out and charge her with abuse!!??

[@coolcucumber3354]

he took the jumps SO WELL! she completely messed up the strides and he saved her so many times- what a good horse

[@ljo0605]

Yeah, I noticed the strides were all out and the horse lost confidence and faith in the rider

[@natashakate5687]

I am so frustrated by her display of riding. It was not okay at all and I feel so sorry for that poor damn horse. None of it was his fault 😥

[@coolcucumber3354]

@@natashakate5687 exactly 😭 and he just kept going, amazing horse ❤️

[@nayaormyponynaffe]

@@natashakate5687 agree 💔

[@heididuke7617]

He’s so forgiving hope they all get charged for animal abuse..

[@pfroggo9942]

To all the people commenting how she isn‘t a bad person, yes, she is. In the interviews following the incident she blamed everything on the horse and in one article, she stated that what she did „wasn‘t abuse because her whip and spurs had been safety checked by the committee“. That‘s like saying „I had my car checked recently, the child I just ran over can’t be dead.“ Taking your frustrations out on your horse is abuse. End of discussion, stop trying to make up excuses for Annika Schleu, Kim Reisner or the olympic committee. Pentathlon is a sport that is fucked up to the absolute core.

[@BunnyLover373]

YES !!!

[@tuximuxi258]

Hey! Im not saying, that she isnt a bad person, but howd' you feel when you train your whole life for that olympic thing and you get a horse , that doesnt move! How would you feel??!!

[@winter4122]

@@tuximuxi258 ofc its a shitty feeling but that doesnt give u the right to treat the horse like this. the horse was absolutely terrified and she definitely couldve handled the situation better. and if u do horse riding u should ALWAYS be aware that those animals have their own mind and ARENT sports equipment u can use like u wanna. theres NEVER a guarantee that its gonna work out like u want it to. and the fact that she kept blaming the horse afterwards and refused to accept the fact that she indeed was abusing it just shows how fucked up that whole thing was.

[@antirunescape4128]

@@tuximuxi258 so for a tiny piece of gold and a temporary moment of happiness you can torture a beautiful living being like that ? and she cries like its the end of her life and she is going to hell after that stupid competition nobody cares about except her ? she just must be happy that the patient horsey didnt throw her after her unacceptable behavior and she didnt finish in hospital . youre saying what ? she trained her whole life and she got a horse that doesnt move ? how did she train her whole life ? she is the most unexperienced rider I have ever seen and I dont even ride horses she literally looks like she has never seen a horse in her life before . the behavior of her and her coach literally says I will kill the horse if I could I just wanna win , one must not be very selfish if you really wanna win ...

[@Erins.equine]

What everybody doesn’t understand is that this horse was just selected for her to ride on the day and she genuinely didn’t know the horse but honestly stop throwing hate at this girl just bc this sport wasn’t thought through well enough, these horses are selected through a hat draw like seriously, I honestly feel bad for this girl and horse bc they didn’t know each other well enough 😐

[@stellablu333]

Saint Boy said "I'm done with your shit" like one hundred times

[@stellablu333]

@EquestrianEditz true! I see why they called him 'Saint Boy'!

[@blueequine572]

@EquestrianEditz it’s not the horse it’s the rider if your think your dead-

[@0nlyhearts157]

Fr

[@derruffian5150]

She got the distance wrong at the first oxer, left him no choice to refuse at the second oxer, he would have plowed that one as well, if he hadn't refused. I guess he's the kind of horse that doesn't like hitting his legs against poles. If he would have had a good rider on his back, he would have put in a good, clear round.

[@sadieadler3065]

Yep, he’s amazing, any horse that would’ve dropped her in the dirt would’ve got a “good boy” from me, so he truly lives up to his name.

[@Volkaer]

All she needed to do was relax off pretty much every single aid she was giving at the same time, and stop trying to micro-manage shit she had zero competence of managing. I challenge anyone to find a moment in that ride that doesn't make you cringe. I was unable to do so.

[@animangle]

@@Volkaer i'm a dressage rider, but i see 7yr olds at jump shows handle their horses so much better, even when things are going badly.

[@viro777]

the fact that his name is saint boy tells you how sweet he must actually be and it just makes me want to cry looking at him getting hurt like that

[@xxphosphene]

He's so patient with her. I know horses that would have bucked her off the first time she hit him and he actually tried to jump with her, he just gave up at some point

[@viro777]

@@xxphosphene so true

[@ameliaevans5211]

That's a very good point

[@jaclynpharis2070]

I don’t actually believe his temperament had anything to do with naming. His mother had saint in her name as well and it was most likely used for him because of that. Not saying he’s a bad horse or that this was his fault just that his name is a bit meaningless in this context.

[@santiagoporret5247]

@@xxphosphene Literally! Like... my mare gets mad at me for sliding my leg a little too back for the canter sometimes. That horse must have a heart of gold!!

[@sommerrose7051]

Poor baby was protecting them both, he knew he had a sack of potatoes on his back and didn’t want either of them to get hurt. What a saint boy❤️

[@blueequine572]

Agreed

[@oldageisdumb]

No, he is not a saint. He is being a butt. He behaved the same way for the male rider the week before. He was completely unsuited for this competition and her poor riding made it worse.

[@amberseventers]

@@oldageisdumb uh . . .

[@amberseventers]

yes I can't even count how many times he saved her, such an honest horse❤

[@nayaormyponynaffe]

Agree ❤️

[@MissDjango82]

From what I’ve seen/heard/read, these athletes train the least amount of time in the equestrian portion of the pentathlon. I actually can’t believe that this doesn’t happen more often. For a sport as dangerous and unpredictable as riding, you’d think they would take more care in training for it.

[@liajulee4451]

I heard of one woman that trains all other sports of the sport 3 times a week and riding once a month. Equestrian sports are too difficult and dangerous to just sit on the horse with minimum experience and expect it to work

[@n_eptunz]

That’s the thing. They don’t think. Majority of them genuinely believe that riding horses is easy, that “the horse does all the work” - so it would be a breeze to hardly train it, right? It’s stupid and equestrianism should NEVER have been in the pentathlon.

[@justjaguar2314]

Yeah! Fact! But also like, generally, this 5 sports in 1, is really exactly like a 5 in 1 shampoo for example. Yes, it has more than one *function*, but it's mediocre AT BEST in every. single. one.

[@jamiengo2343]

@@justjaguar2314 that’s literally the point of the decathlon, heptathlon etc. To be able to compete across all the different sports.

[@justjaguar2314]

@@jamiengo2343 to be mediocre in 5 sports, so you can say *I can do a pentathlon* ? Yeah. What an achivement.

[@Otis_TheHxllHound]

Dude, this horse truly is a Saint Boy. She is jabbing his sides with spurs and beating him with a whip repeatedly, as well as yanking on his face. I was so surprised that he didn’t just buck her off or rear up and over on her. Massive props to Saint Boy. I hope he’s doing ok ❤️

[@dabi-is-online23]

Exactly! You're 100% spot on here. I'm so happy for him for fighting her and not giving in too!

[@xzriix]

I think he died I’m not sure

[@fridagylterud9491]

@@xzriix no he didn’t tf

[@xzriix]

@@fridagylterud9491 Yes he did…

[@xzriix]

@@fridagylterud9491 research is he literally died😭 why r u trying to jump into conclusions

[@eya221]

This is blatant horse abuse, I honestly have no idea why the olympics allowed this

[@Poetessa2]

Same here, the judges should have thrown her out and charged her!!

[@Jeff-qk7jj]

I know. And she's so pathetic. Crying like SHE'S the one who's hurt. I get that she was embarrassed, but she only made it worse for herself when she started abusing that poor horse in front of millions of people. No sympathy for her whatsoever and the people who allowed this to go on are just as bad.

[@logangreen2010]

seeing the faults go up was extremely satisfying on a serious note, so glad they're removing showjumping for the pentathlon. All the riders in it suck.

[@natashakate5687]

They are? That would be a dream come true! Horse back riding is a full time sport, (I mean yes, you can do many other sports) but at Olympics… it’s really dangerous. Poor horse, I can’t say that enough. Poor poor guy.

[@EvanBear]

Yes, the riders in actual equestrian disciplines are usually quite good on their horses but all pentathletes just suck so badly at riding.

[@bellboo8154]

Lol 🤣

[@rozequine]

@@natashakate5687 they are removing it they are replacing it with climbing

[@n0odles86]

@@EvanBear that's because they barely train for the equestrian portion. Anna only rode twice a month, whereas most Olympic riders are in the saddle more than once a day.

[@thatequestriangirl13]

Anyone notice how the announcers seems to blame the horse more than the rider?! Like seriously if she can’t handle her horse when he messes up a jump cause of her she shouldn’t be in the sport at all.

[@aylitinaruz7961]

How is the “Pentathlon” even a sport ? She’s not even an equestrian, let alone a show jumper !! Why is this so-called sport in the Olympics ? This is outrageous.

[@blakehallman3096]

The sport was created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1912 to demonstrate the world's most well-rounded athlete. They are very good at the other four events, especially fencing. However, the UIPM failed pentathletes by making it too easy to get a good score in riding. If your goal is to maximize points, why spend so much time doing something that won't improve your score? It's a shame what happened, but this should've been corrected decades ago. Now the sport might not be in the Olympics after '24.

[@sixmercer2504]

@@blakehallman3096 I hope it's not. This was cruel. I am an equestrian rider with a ton of experience and this is a complete meltdown by the rider. The horse was being pulled on by the harsh bit and kicked hard over and over by spurs and beaten with a whip while the human is crying and like a lump on a log It's amazing the horse didn't blow up. These animals have so much patience to be treated like that and nit do everything they can to get the rider off their back.

[@ktxtenskz7441]

I mean I agree with you totally but she is an equestrian, she’s a very bad one but unfortunately she still is an equestrian

[@n0odles86]

@@sixmercer2504 that horse really was a Saint; I've seen riders being thrown for far less. That's what she gets for only riding twice a month. What a gross human.

[@n0odles86]

@@ktxtenskz7441 riding twice a month does not an "equestrian" make.

[@MaddieEquestrian]

That lady should not be on a horse.

[@Beainkle]

Poor buddy is in so much pain. The tail swooshing, open foamy mouth, refusing, mini rears, are all tell-tell signs. On top of that he is absolutely mortified. Everything happening at one time has his brain at 110% and his stress through the roof.

[@oldageisdumb]

No, he was not in pain. He was just being a butt. He did the same thing to the male rider the week before. He was throwing a temper tantrum because he was too hot for novice riders and she had no clue how to handle it. He was unsuited for this competition and whoever picked him to be part of it owes two riders a big apology. I’m sure he is a great horse for the right, confident rider but she was not skilled enough to know how to handle him. Sometimes horses can just be a butt, it doesn’t mean they are scared or hurt. People are glorifying him to try to make her look worse.

[@Beainkle]

@@oldageisdumb It may be the horse but by far it was everyone involved. There was no “all fault” to one being. Everyone had a part in it.

[@oldageisdumb]

@@Beainkle I absolutely agree. But I think the biggest one at fault was the person who picked him for the competition. That was unfair to both horse and rider.

[@Beainkle]

@@oldageisdumb Where did you see him ride for you to know this?

[@n0odles86]

@@Beainkle don't even bother... That Cindy is all over the comments blaming the horse. I'd never let someone like Cindy near my horses; I've sacked people like her before.

[@theyaaayushi435]

people saying the horse was the problem should get education about this sport first, thanks

[@sophie4thewin665]

Let’s set one thing straight. Fuck the people who defend her and feel bad for her because this is animal abuse. And prior to the beginning of the video (as they were in the warm up ring) Annika also had a hard time with Saint Boy as he looked petrified to go over any of the jumps. And the rider that rode Saint Boy before Annika ALSO had problems with him because he kept refusing… This poor horse, I hope Saint Boy feels better soon. Annika could’ve gone down in history a hero, as someone who is against animal abuse. But instead she is now known as an abuser. Sending lots of love to Saint Boy

[@aftonandnoelleclendenin8301]

She’s a good rider but she’s freaking out because she doesn’t know what too do and that’s making the horse freak out but If she wasn’t nervous then it would go better

[@eventingthedude]

@@aftonandnoelleclendenin8301 She is not a good rider at all

[@eventingthedude]

@EquestrianEditz fr if it were flies he wouldn’t be swishing his tail that much while going through the course

[@user-nw5ps5if6z]

I’m not sure,but some where I read that horse dead after it💔

[@Vamz0mbeigal]

Exactly crying like a 6 years old

[@b.a.6165]

This is just awful. What is the horse supposed to do, if she pulls the reins and (at the same time) hit him in his belly with spurs? Girl, these are mixed signals. Hand without legs, legs without hands. People should learn classical dressage education before sitting on a horse. This drama is definitely not the horses fault, but a result of bad riding. I mean, she almost has her hands on the bit. How is the horse even supposed to jump? Lol

[@NinuzSpice]

I completely agree! But I read a very interesting article : Annika Schelue said in an interview she didn't understand "All the hate she was getting online" and the article said that annika didn't understand the hate , the same way saint boy didn't understand the spurring and the whipping. So we are like annika and she is like Saint boy , we are trashing and hating on her and she doesn't understand why and is just suffering. Now I agree she was trash at riding lol😂

[@sarahdoan3905]

I hate her and her coach if I could buy that horse I would save him from that cruelty and give home the life he deserves

[@melie.3708]

Bruh

[@thomasgorman749]

He would likely become irritable with nothing to do. Performance horses need to be worked, just as work horses need to do work, herding dogs need to herd, etc. Also, nothing I saw there would have been painful for the horse (possible exception of the spurring bc idk what her spurs are like). But the slapping w/hand or riding crop? The punch from the coach? Nothing. Horses tank kicks from other horses like they're nothing.

[@MissMaishka]

Disgusting way to treat a horse…. The trainer should be ashamed, hitting horse from the sidelines like that. Crying and throwing a tantrum didn’t help the horse calm down at all, very unprofessional way for a rider to act.

[@flamefusion8963]

Glad they killed the horse after the event

[@monicalauranpoq3552]

I agree with you

[@khricket]

She looks like a beginner pony club rider.

[@traciebolton1951]

Rider couldn't handle no from her horse. I understand the pressure and the stage... That does not justify the way she behaved with her horse.

[@n0odles86]

There wasn't even that much stage pressure; the stadium was empty!

[@jamysunshine9203]

​​@@n0odles86She was about to win the gold medal at the olympics and make her life dream come true. It's Ok to be nervous but she have a mental breakdown, when the horse refuse to even go on the parcous and from there everything went wrong. The horse did the same thing to an other rider prior so maybe the horse was scared anyway or hurt. I don't understand why they have to draw a horse to the riders instead of let them compete with their own horses, who they know and trust. But now the discipline ist kicked out of olympia anyway.

[@gemmafinnerty55]

I was nervous as hell watching this. I’m amazed she didn’t get thrown off that poor horse. She should of not been allowed to ride him in that state as it would of been making the horse more upset. She certainly shouldn’t of been acting like that when the horse clearly trying to communicate that he was very unhappy. It’s the riders fault not the horses.

[@n0odles86]

Would have, should have* And you're right

[@kenzie.hargreaves06]

gosh if i was that horse i would’ve thrown her so hard and laid down to relax.

[@lilly-jd3pv]

i feel so bad for the actual owner of saint boy… must be so hard to watch someone abuse your horse like that just to win

[@kellyheli1312]

I would have ran into that ring and pull her of my horse my self

[@lemoncake5342]

We should start allowing horses to say no more often. This horse was clearly saying no but she kept going because the human ego can’t stand being told no. She’s not tough or a trooper for continuing on- she didn’t just make the decision to continue for herself, but made the decision for a clearly distressed horse as well. When you ride a horse you speak for both of you; you have to listen and give the horse a voice because they can’t speak for themselves. Yet she said “I want to keep going so the horse has to as well.” But I can’t completely blame her. People are often praised for putting their ego and wants over the horse’s mental (and sometimes even physical) well-being (Good job showing that horse who’s boss! Tell that naughty horse to get on! Etc.)

[@jjjjohnn121]

are u delusional, it's not her fault but fault of people who let this horse compete

[@arpadkovacs8671]

just ban the germans

[@fer572]

@@jjjjohnn121 it cannot not be her fault with what the video shows.

[@XxEllieMayxX_YT]

@@jjjjohnn121 f*ck you, it is her fault! She abuses that horse!

[@shadominx3696]

You're absolutely brain dead if you think it isn't her fault. I'm not an equestrian but even I can tell he didn't know wtf she wanted from him.

[@anaelleg8384]

he was already terrified, she pushed him (very disrespectfully) and he agreed to go anyway, despite being in clear distress. he indeed is a saint. maybe if she had followed him well over the fences, and chosen the right distances, he would even have finished the course. but man, he clearly hurt his back on the second one, any horse could be scared after a jump like that. yet, he gave her another chance and kept going anyway, and then her curve line to the fifth was shit and she got the wrong distance. so the poor horse hurt himself again, and probably got scared when he touched the poles, and that was it. that's how you ruin a fine horse who respects fences so well: not going along with them along the jumps, which hurts the mouth and back, and getting the distances wrong which puts them in major difficulty (or even danger). no wonder he refused the next jump, and the one after that. that was actually smart of him not to jump in such conditions, as to not hurt himself again. jumping shouldn't be part of the pentathlon. it's ridiculous to see riders draw horses at random and jump them like that. not everyone can jump every horse, even if the course is small as it is here. you need to know them well enough as to ask them things properly and not cause them pain. there needs to be trust and experience. which isn't possible with random horses and random riders. plus, if the horse already had a bad experience previously, it's stupid to ask him to go again. you need to work on these issues quietly at home, not in a competition arena. poor animals... the people who designed this trial definitely didn't think about how they'd feel.

[@oldageisdumb]

He was not terrified. He was acting like a butt and she didn’t know how to handle it. He did the same thing to the male rider the week before. He was unsuited for the competition and she handled it badly.

[@anaelleg8384]

@@oldageisdumb i would strongly suggest you read and learn about horses facial expression, overall behavior and ethology, and equine neurology (prefrontal cortex and executive functions, especially), before saying a horse "isn't terrified" (see facial expressions for this one), and "acts like a butt" (see equine neurology and cognitive processes for this one). now, we both agree this horse was unsuited for competition and she handled it badly, but it's not the horse's fault in any way.

[@oldageisdumb]

@@anaelleg8384 And I suggest you get some actual real life riding experience. You can’t be serious with what you just said. Reading about and actually seeing and doing are two different things. I’m a middle aged woman who has ridden dressage most of her life. Reading is not even close to real horse experience, my dear. The horse was not frightened, he was pissed. She was no where near capable of riding him. She was placed in an impossible situation with an ornery horse that also shouldn’t have been placed in that position. Both she and the horse deserve an apology.

[@anaelleg8384]

​@@oldageisdumb your answer is precisely why i recommended those readings. because the riding we've been taught for decades, and the riding we've been doing often lacks all this recent knowledge about basic horse behavior. sure, you can ride, you probably ride well, i'm not questioning that. but if you'd read recent research, you wouldn't say the horse is "pissed" when his whole body language is suggesting he's scared and in maybe in pain. thankfully, scientists, pro riders and instructors are more and more aware of these things as time goes and science progresses. even those who have ridden for decades can make mistakes when analyzing a horse's behavioral issues. it's okay, we weren't taught properly. but the resources are now available and easily accessible. horses depend on us, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves about their most basic expressions of discomfort. anyway, as i said, there are good resources available, so i won't discuss it more. i hope you have a good day.

[@oldageisdumb]

@@anaelleg8384 ok, you, too. Edited to add: he was inspected after the Olympics at home and reported “in good health but fatigued from the competition”

[@somethingiconicig3967]

Riders always have to remember we are the leader in communication, only one of you can be upset, and you’re not ever in the option of that. Calm communication is necessary to keep them calm and together. This was just horrible riding, just someone who can sit in a seat.

[@marycanary3871]

i’ve just never see such bad riding in my life. it’s like she’s never had to troubleshoot on a horse. she literally does not know how to take a breath and listen to the horse. it’s unbelievable. so much kicking, hitting, and shoving with zero riding or communication with the poor horse. and why is she so far back in the saddle. take the martingale off with a rider so weak. i’ve never seen someone over the age of 10 cry on a horse.

[@annabelle8557]

No shit he doesn't wanna be friends with her she was beating him. How awful

[@yaz_equestrian5560]

He looked so stressed, look at all the sweat on his neck!

[@dabi-is-online23]

He's also in a lot of pain, not just stress

[@yaz_equestrian5560]

@@dabi-is-online23 definitely!

[@saifmalik60]

A horse-partner interaction is a foundation of equestrian sport. However, in modern pentathlon, this is completely ignored as opposed to this, the horse is assigned by lot.

[@fusspot57]

It is not the horses fault. She lost the plot. Hitting the animal. Trying to get him to go forward whilst holding him back on a very tight rein and a gag too, so this would have been uncomfortable to say the least as well as sending mixed messages...STOP, GO, STOP, GO. Why are these lousy riders given spurs? It's "the uniform" in showjumping? Well maybe but let's spare a thought for that poor animal being whipped and kicked in the ribs. They need to find another sport to replace riding in the modern pentathlon because this is animal abuse. I would have been absolutely devastated if I was Saint Boy's owner.

[@cubnation]

Numerous riders struggled to control their horses during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics' pentathlon, and for good reason: *they were strangers until being assigned to each other right before the event.* German Olympic Sports Federation president Alfons Hoermann slammed the rules barring rider-horse bonding in a press conference on Saturday. According to a translation from The Guardian, Hoermann said the international equestrian rules require an "urgent overhaul." "The numerous occasions at the competition yesterday, from literally the first to the last rider, are, we believe, unacceptable," Hoermann said. "They endanger animal welfare and therefore damage the reputation of the sport and the sports men and women." Germany, Hoermann's home country, was directly involved in the Olympic pentathlon drama. Saint Boy refused to jump, causing Schleu, the medal contender in the Olympic event, to burst into tears and finish 31st. *Earlier in the competition, Saint Boy refused to allow the Russian Olympic Committee's Gulnaz Gubaydullina to ride him.*

[@valerierodger]

Nonsense. The showjumping world championship used to culminate with a horse rotation for the top 4. The problem is the riders Who treat the sport like horses are machines instead of spending the necessary time training like they do in the other disciplines.

[@melodymacken9788]

​@@valerierodger Beautifully said.

[@animangle]

an actual rider would be able to work with any horse they're given

[@nigelshepherd8248]

A friend of mine, a very skilful rider once told me, sometimes, you have a good day, but the horse has a bad day. Sometimes, you have a bad day, and the horse has a good day. ... when you both have a bad day, put him back in the stable, and go and do something else. If Annika had smiled, saluted the judges, and trotted out of the ring, saying today is not our day, she would have been a applauded the world over. Her reputation, and the reputation of the sport intact .. surely this is more important than a medal...

[@animangle]

i excused myself from a dressage test after i made it to regionals to go into the warmup ring and work through the issue, it's a hard decision but i'm very proud of it. i think this showed that she did not know how horses work at all and really only cared about coming in first and spent no time learning. i cannot believe that i see seven year olds being more mature at jumping competitions than a full grown adult at the olympics.

[@Emcom-ms1bv]

She’s giving him so many mixed signals like when she pulls before jumps like he won’t jump if you do that

[@summereellsmusic]

This sport should NOT be in the pentathlon, imo. Horseback riding, especially at an Olympic level, should be left to the professionals who have spent hours training and learning about their horse and building a partnership. Replace it with something else because it’s quite painful to watch.

[@athame57]

After what happened before, why was this same horse not withdrawn?

[@rhea_177]

He was obviously picking up on her nerves and emotions. A really patient and Saint horse. Also someone take that stupid whip out of her hand. Poor baby, bless him.

[@n0odles86]

I'll be honest, I was hoping for Ace Ventura to pop out from behind a jump.

[@JoJo-dv1rz]

@@n0odles86 I was really hoping he would throw her off. She would have deserved it. Her behavior and treatment of that horse was appealing.

[@neighingmili]

it wasn’t the horses fault at all, she is having a complete meltdown while her horse is absolutely terrified and has no idea what to do, the fact she blamed saint boy proved that she is just terrible. she couldn’t get on with the horse because she was just abusing the horse. nobody is gonna get on with someone who abuses them. she can cry me a whole ocean and at the end of the day I still won’t give an absolute shit.

[@magdalenaproft8915]

Das Pferd hat meine Sympathie

[@alinaherr827]

Wtf

[@dutchie8576]

@@alinaherr827 what? He said he feels bad for the horse which is exactly the right reaction

[@abbey_daly89]

It’s also just so upsetting how clearly the commentators know nothing about horses. They continuously blame it on Saint Boy. Like if you’re not composed you can’t possibly expect your horse to be composed, and what happened is in every way her fault.

[@arohahaggie7499]

watching this makes me feel confident in my riding abilities

[@n0odles86]

That's what she gets for only getting in the saddle twice a month

[@jordancarlisle5029]

“Abuja is in a real life nightmare”. Actually that poor horse is in a real life nightmare and may never be the same. Disgusting actions and riding from this person

[@n0odles86]

Yep, I'll bet it took him a long time to face any jumps again, if he ever has.

[@mairi2w2]

It's a tragedy, but when you're that upset it's time to get off and calm yourself and your horse down before somebody gets hurt. That was completely unprofessional and unfair to the horse, who was terrified and looking to her to be a strong leader and keep him safe

[@uhm3103]

hope no horse has to have her on their back ever again.

[@thedragonqueen1992]

That horse deserved the medal

[@irislellky6744]

No. The horse literally said NO. and she’s just hitting him. The horse didn’t wanna do it and everyone sees that. And she’s giving do many mixed signals. If she’s sitting on the horse crying, I mean leave. And at least pet that poor horse. Ik it’s the worst night mare when things doesn’t work but don’t take that out on the horse.

[@alli944]

Whips need to stop being used like this

[@margiewheeler3236]

Treating a living animal like a machine to control toward winning is wrong. After she conveyed her desperation to the horse, confusing and terrifying him, she should have remembered to calm him and let him kno

[@khricket]

Not sure if shes crying from disappointment.. but come on leave the ring with respect and confidence with the horse before gaining all those faults. I feel so bad that he was kicked and whipped like a pony club rider was riding him.

[@n0odles86]

Pony club riders don't get whips at the one I help run for this exact reason. Hahaha.

[@laurapeters6647]

Pulling on his poor mouth and then telling him to get up and whipping him is absolutely incredible from a rider i would never hit my horse Ever it is Never okay to Hit your horse Animal abuse to the Highest level here for one shes telling him to go forward but then pulling on his mouth and telling him to stop poor baby

[@amberblyledge7859]

He really is a saint. He's one of those horses than needs a gentle touch. As soon as the DQ bell rang and she gave up, he relaxed. If that had been my mare, Annika would be dead. My mare has had that treatment in the past and does not tolerate it today. She was one of those who couldn't be broken.

[@moonlightsonata8150]

It's because her mom have Saint in her name .He was a pretty difficult horse

[@sophiebridge6944]

she wouldve gained more respect if she were just to get off and give him a patt

[@missarthemis]

watching this for a first time. The obvious thing: rider loses composure , extremely nervous, and what do you expect from the horse. They feel that.

[@aylaobrien7836]

It seems like there was something more going on here such as the horse having pain somewhere causing him not to want to move forward and causing him refuses fences. I would suspect a physical issue causing pain if a horse I ride demonstrates this type of behavior. The horse is trying to tell the people there’s an issue but nobody’s listening to him. He’s giving reasonable signals and nobody wants to look further and expected him to perform even when he could not continue. These folks are top level professionals and they should know to listen to their horses when there’s an issue. I am a amateur rider and I even know this.

[@audish6061]

shes sending him mixed signals and not striding correctly, him refusing is probably from her bad riding and him not putting up with it.

[@oldageisdumb]

And sometimes horses just act like butts. He was too hot for a novice and completely unsuited for this competition. He did the same thing to the male rider the week before. He showed no sign of pain over the jumps, he was clearly just annoyed that she didn’t know what she was doing and decided to throw a temper tantrum. Yes, he had every right to but that makes him unsuitable for a novice and therefore unsuited for this competition

[@audish6061]

@@oldageisdumb he shouldnt have to be suited for a novice rider because hes an olympic level horse, hes an amazing jumper and a great horse with a good rider. she shouldnt have made it to the olympics in the first place and just brought out the worst in saint boy.

[@oldageisdumb]

@@audish6061 but that’s not what this event is. It is an event filled with novice riders. Saint wouldn’t go for two different riders. He clearly was not suitable for the event.

[@VivianaSilverback]

@@oldageisdumb Tho it's her fault, not the horse's. She kept giving mixed signals to him and kept acting like a 5 y.o child angry over not getting a toy. She's the one throwing a temper tantrum, not the horse. The horse wasn't the one crying and whining. She was. Horses don't "act like butts", they're animals, and they're a lot more stressed than humans in these situations, especially if they have an immature kid on them whipping them, kicking them, and pulling the reins harshly.

[@indi_equestrian3898]

The commentators make me so frustrated saying that HE did not want to go and how it was the horse’s fault poor saint boy… the rider should be banned from riding in the olympics and the train her should be banned from training. The trainer was just encouraging her whipping and spurring.

[@sophiemason2652]

If he had a confident rider on he would be an amazing horse

[@ahappyweeb8309]

If he had a good rider that treated him like a horse and not a machine*

[@platinum_amortentia]

she's just not riding correctly, is what it boils down to. this is stuff you see at a schooling show, not an olympic trial. it's irresponsible and dangerous.

[@weakpistol]

Saint boy is kept in my prayers.❤️ Annika shouldn't have even started horse riding as her career if she intended on harming Saintboy. Why are some people even feeling bad for her anyway?

[@Pyret-kw6cs]

how hard does she have that bit?, that horse looks so uncomfy

[@blueequine572]

It’s not the horse it’s the rider if you think your dead-

[@sei-zero]

2:20 In Jeremy Clarkson's voice: "My horse is going backwards... I've bought a reversing horse!"

[@melodymacken9788]

🤣🤣🤣

[@guardianherdprocreater9124]

Disgraceful horseman ship. Should’ve never been allowed anywhere near poor saint boy let alone any other horse.

[@sarahcoyle619]

Not to stir up anything but imagine being in such an ideal position to win THE OLYMPICS!!! Aaaand then your horse refuses to go into the ring. Lets just remember that the riders don't pick these horses. They're simply handed to them, maybe they were too green for the Olympics? In showjumping, in the Olympics the riders bring their own horses, an incredibly meticulous process to display only the best talent. Just saying (DONT come at me-this is just from my understanding )

[@hattiex6957]

Completely utterly her fault, any good rider would have comforted and reassured the horse, even pull out, whipping him relentlessly did nothing

[@therussianbarrelracer]

Her tears are my happiness

[@sophie4thewin665]

Couldn’t agree with this statement more 😩

[@natashakate5687]

Agreed

[@mae_equestrian9703]

Agree

[@kellyharvey899]

Couldn’t agree more!!

[@cheolyoo7399]

Your comment is vile. She didn't do wrong. You can see the horse had already got terrified in the previous round with another Russian player. Here's the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laq3hqOPdr5ogNU From 3' 15" to 3' 38", you can see that the Russian player had already problems with the horse, using whips, which must have affected the behavior of the horse in Annika's ride. The organizers should have replaced the horse.

[@Scampergirl]

The horse was apparently more intelligent than the rider. He knew she a complete emotional shitshow. He was saving both their asses.

[@arinsam69420]

Horses earn their name. My first horses name was Outlaw...there was a reason for that. He was the first horse in 6 years of riding that taught me fear. Horses sometimes need to be checked and reguided, yes...but not beat. Period. She had a meltdown and gave that horse 20 different commands. The sweat and foam on that horse before the camera was panned over tells me that something was wrong way before he refused and knocked poles down. No medal is worth beating and confusing an animal into pure terror. That horse is worth his weight in gold. He did not make her look like a fool.. she did that all on her own. That horse literally has the patience of a saint. I have been kicked and bucked by horses simply for telling them no. Saint Boys earns his name a million times over and more.

[@COLT-zr3jf]

Horses are not machines, something is seriously bothering this poor animal and to try to continue on is just futile.

[@coldwhitespring5004]

SHE is having a nightmare? This poor horse is having the nightmare of his life, and the bloody thing is on his back! What kind of riding is this?

[@wolfworld7499]

For y’all who don’t know, saint boy was “ill”, he wasn’t healthy and her actions was definitely not acceptable. She gave him multiple wrong signals and her meltdown shows that she should not be competing, this is definitely not saint boy’s fault

[@lauraamick463]

The commentators only talk about how sorry they are for her, and blame everything on the horse. They don’t mention how wrong it is to treat an animal with such abuse. These commentators make me so mad!

[@equestrian.edits.]

I agree. I was scrolling through the comments trying to find something about the commentators! They where all talking about how they felt bad for her. That poor horse.

[@KaitlinHarper-jc4gf]

You have to be calm with ur horse.

[@sophiemason2652]

Her striding was awful and she had no confidence so then her horse had no confidence

[@marlenehamedl6409]

I hate the commentators “show she’s the one on top, just get the horse moving, just show her dominance” the FIRST TIME SHE HIT THE HORSE SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT

[@marlenehamedl6409]

Horses arent Maschines, I hate the way she treats him

[@_carl-bot_]

The way the coach punches the horse and the people just knock her on the sides is truly disgusting. How cruel could nature be? That is a real Saint boy horse right there, trying to keep the rider stable not trying to push her off but annika just keeps jabbing and slapping her while the horse just doesn't get offended, what a poor horse 🥺

[@Sannevv08]

I love how at 3:46 the horse just happily trots away like: ‘I did it, i showed the world how bad of a rider she actually is’

[@memorieswithchloeandruby2755]

That’s just abuse look at the poor horse he’s terrified there is no way she should stay as a rider she can’t do that

[@maggieandponies]

she abuses her horse then sobs and hits it, so unbelievably abusive and immature

[@birgit4314]

Was für ein Desaster! Das arme Pferd zeigt deutliche Stresssymptome,schwitzt,ist nervös...Verweigert Sprünge... Was für eine schlechte Reaktion von der Reiterin 😠! Egal ob Olympia oder sonst was... Sie hätte abbrechen müssen! Poor horse 😥

[@nadinep.5217]

finde ich auch! man sieht von anfang an, dass das pferd darauf überhaupt keine lust hat, total am ende seiner kräfte ist vom kampf vor dem sprungantritt....ich finde die reaktion auch von den ausrichtern sehr spät. die glocke hätte noch vor dem antritt läuten sollen. sowas hätte ich mir als ausrichter/ kommentator, what ever nicht ansehen können. die reaktion aller menschen finde ich hier mehr als fragwürdig! und die kuh auf dem pferd hätte von mir eine saftige strafe bekommen, plus disqualifikation der gesamten olympischen spiele... knallhart, damit diese leute es lernen und ein verbot je wieder daran teilnehmen zu dürfen. sie als reiterin- einfach nur lächerlich! eine schande des reitsports... vor allem ihr dummes rumgeheule... ein fall für den kindergarten. ich finde das war eine reine zirkusnummer ihrerseits plus tierquälerei.

[@Equestrian_900_Official]

That horse only has patience because that’s probably the horse that she’s trained on for years. The horse is obviously used to it, (considering he didn’t throw her off) and that makes me nauseous to even say but it’s true. That poor horse has most likely never known better, and it’s absolutely devastating.

[@n0odles86]

You know zero about the sport, then. The horses are picked by lots; it's totally random and you don't get to ride before you go in the ring. Also, Anna rides twice a month. Pentathlon athletes barely spend any time in the saddle.

[@eklei2025]

Imagine being a 34 year old and not knowing how to treat a horse when you’re emotional. I’m sorry but women you are old enough to know better. I also read in an article she doesn’t know what animal cruelty is. No wonder why. I hope saint the horse is in a better place ❤

[@Emily_equestrian24]

Some thing about him refusing is, before her a man rode him over the jump abusing him pretty badly (not sure how this is just what I've read) especially over this jump. This caused Saint boy to lose his confidence in the jump, therefore causing him to refuse. This is not saint boys fault it is his riders. She handled the situation horribly and she doesn't deserve to ride. She isn't a good person. She spurred him in the ribs hard while whipping and pulling the reins. She was unbalanced crying and pretty much throwing a tantrum. This all made Saintboy confused on the signals. She is a trashy rider...

[@thewildhorselover8203]

It's so her fault the horse was so scared

[@jumpingnellie.x]

What is she doing! You can tell Saint Boy is clearly distressed and confused by the mixed signals she’s giving him. When she was approaching that double she was pulling all over face instead of giving him his head and letting him take her to the jump.

[@janajacoby3391]

The only one I feel immensely sorry for is the poor horse! 😢 This was absolutely cruel and inacceptable! 😡😥

[@ur_local_equestrian_flickr2536]

The horse did so well considering his rider is beating him and the trainer is hitting his rump. In my opinion Anikka’s reins are a little short. The commentator needs to speak out about how badly she’s handling this

[@zalamajerle6851]

this horse deserves a massive apology

[@user-wu5bl1bs8v]

The whip is not a effective way to control the horse

[@fabiennepratali8050]

frankly, I would have preferred it to fall. What she did to this poor horse is called abuse. she should have been punished much more severely than that

[@suescourfield7902]

Two years on and this is still so painful to watch. 😱😱😱 Such a disgusting display! Pulling hard on his mouth yet using the spurs and whip - such confused signals and then her being in such a temper! A rider should never, ever take their temper out on a horse. A horse can sense all our emotions - and this horse is very, very frightened She should never be allowed to take part in ANY competition again

[@destinypruitthi8859]

You can’t push a horse too hard or they will do this horses are not a machine that you can just control all the time they might not understand

[@maddog713]

It's not the horses fault you can see his mouth so that is a sine of shock she is having a full on meltdown on him which horses can sence and also be scared. She is wiping him quite hard and he reins are short the best thing to do is get of the horse lead them out and then get back on. It doesn't matter what place you come as long as you and your horse feel save and comftorbal to compete

[@mintazy8923]

She's giving him literal mixed signals. Kicking and hitting him and pulling on the reins at the same time- he's confused! And you can see he's in pain. Tail swishing, whites of his eyes showing, ears pinned back, open and foaming mouth... on top of that he's scared! I'm surprised he handled some jumps so well, but then he said "I'm done with whatever shit you got going on here" and started refusing. Maybe if she calmed down and stopped giving mixed signals it could have gone a little better but she was nervous and probably crying. Saint Boy really is a saint. Like this is just horse abuse.

[@annabellearmnight9628]

I'm sorry but people who think the horse was in the wrong are silly because if you look at 0:45 then you will see the person on the side fence pretty much punch the horse on its hind quarters this is silly and I don't get why she was crying

[@Presley..eq4]

That poor horse 😭

[@erynd2524]

This is terrible! All around terrible! I wouldn’t have gone on.

[@nimnum1265]

why are the commentators blaming the horse smh

[@nimnum1265]

'shes gotta show him whos boss' ew stfu

[@AA_Equestrian]

She didn’t know this horse and clearly had no clue how to handle them correctly