Rider under investigation for repeatedly hitting horse in competition

A rider under investigation for repeatedly hitting his horse in a showjumping competition says he has apologised, and it will not happen again.

An animal rights organisation highlighted Kevin Lemke’s round on Good Luck at the Desert International Horse Park, California, on 30 January.

Video shows the horse refusing at an out-of-sight jump, after which Kevin hits him hard, six times. As a bell goes to signal elimination, explained by the commentator as being owing to excessive whip use, he kicks the horse and canters round to the fence again.

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Article written by: Eleanor Jones