Leading animal welfare group SAFE has slammed the suspension imposed on one of New Zealand's greatest Olympians.
Sir Mark Todd has received a four-month ban from training horses, after a video showed him hitting a horse with a tree branch.
After already serving a two-month interim suspension and with the remaining two months of his ban suspended, Sir Mark, 66, can return to training immediately.
But the penalty has been labelled pathetic and the judgment of those imposing it has been questioned.
"It's a slap on a wrist really," insists SAFE spokesman Will Appelbe. "What he did was disgraceful."
SAFE are fired up at the punishment handed down to Olympic great Sir Mark Todd for this incident.
The British Horseracing Authority believe the two-time Olympic eventing champion breached a rule by engaging in conduct prejudicial to the good reputation of horseracing.
"They've said that Mark Todd's actions have damaged the equine industry," said Appelbe. "Considering this pathetic penalty, it doesn't give us a lot of confidence in the equine industry, so really, their judgement has to be called into question.
"It almost sounds like he's playing out this penalty on his own terms."
Panel chair Brian Barker QC said the actions couldn't be condoned in any form, but Todd's high profile meant he can expect to be scrutinised by a wider audience and the use of a light branch rather than a manufactured whip wasn't appropriate.
Sir Mark says he looks forward to putting a tough two months behind him, but they're two months that have tarnished his name.
