Equestrian Sports Face Culture Change Amid Controversy

German Olympic champion Isabell Werth calls for cultural change in equestrian sports following backlash from a video showing British rider Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse. The incident has reignited debate about the ethics of equestrian sports, with animal rights groups urging the International Olympic Committee to act.

German seven-times Olympic champion Isabell Werth has called for a cultural shift in equestrian sports to ensure their future, amid a debate ignited by a video showing a leading British rider whipping a horse during training.

Charlotte Dujardin, a six-times Olympic medallist, was suspended on Tuesday after footage emerged of her whipping a horse's legs several times. Dujardin has since apologized, calling the incident an error of judgment and out of character.

Werth expressed deep concern, emphasizing the need to respect horses as creatures. Animal rights groups have urged the International Olympic Committee to remove equestrian sports from the Games, while athletes defend the discipline as non-violent. The controversy has raised alarm within the sport, leading to calls for better regulation and oversight.