NZ Olympic legend Sir Mark Todd has copped an interim suspension from the British Horseracing Authority, as it investigates a social media video of him repeatedly striking a horse in Scotland.
The incriminating footage emerged on TikTok over the weekend, with Sir Mark admitting he was the culprit and apologising for his actions.
Equestrian Sports NZ and animal welfare groups have voiced their disappointment over the incident, with some calling from him to lose his knighthood and sponsors.
The BHA has taken the initial step of banning him from training in Great Britain or overseas, while it completes its probe into his behaviour.
"The footage seen this weekend of Sir Mark Todd hitting a horse with a branch has rightly caused anger and upset within the equestrian community and beyond," it says.
"His behaviour, for which he has apologised, fell a long way short of the standards of care we expect of licensed individuals and that we know is provided to the overwhelming majority of horses in training in Britain every day. The BHA is looking into the incident."
The BHA has committed to further updates, as its investigation progresses.
Although the incident occurred north of the border, the Scottish SPCA claims it cannot prosecute on events more than six months ago.
"The manner in which the horse in this video is treated is wholly inappropriate," says chief superintendent Mike Flynn. "It is distressing to think a man who works with horses on a daily basis is capable of abusing a horse in such a way."
"In Scotland, animal welfare cases are time-barred. This means any evidence must be less than six months old at the time it is submitted to the procurator fiscal.
"This video clip is older than that and therefore we do not have grounds to take action."
Sir Mark has stood down as patron of World Horse Welfare, which insists he "badly let himself down".
