The fallout from footage showing Kiwi equestrian great Sir Mark Todd abusing a horse has continued on Monday (NZ time).
On Saturday, a video emerged on social media showing the double Olympic gold medallist whipping a horse with a stick as it refused to cross a water obstacle, causing widespread outrage, particularly among animal welfare groups.
Sir Mark has since apologised, saying he was "disappointed" by his behaviour.
The video has now caught the attention of the British Horse Authority, which says it is now "looking into the incident".
"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," the BHA wrote in a Tweet.
"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 UK's RSPCA has also encouraged people with further information on the incident to come forward via its emergency hotline.
"One of the main things I preach is about establishing a mutual respect between horse and rider, and that patience and kindness is the best way to get results," Sir Mark told the UK outlet The Express.
"I believe this is one of the main attributes, along with a great empathy with animals, that has enabled me to have a long and successful career in eventing.
"I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case."
Todd is one of New Zealand's most decorated Olympians. He's the only Kiwi to have competed at seven different Olympic Games, where he's won a total of five medals, including golds at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988.
On Sunday, Equestrian Sports NZ condemned Todd's actions, amid calls the 65-year-old should be stripped of his knighthood.
"We are very disappointed to see this behaviour, as it is certainly not something we endorse," says Equestrian Sports NZ chief executive Julian Bowen.
