Ludger Beerbaum is one of the most successful riders in the world. Most recently he won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. A report about cruelty to animals puts the rider in a bad light.
The German Equestrian Association (FN) has condemned the training methods shown in an RTL report for show jumpers. “Already now, regardless of the contribution shown, we can clearly say that the use of square bars as well as dimpled or spiked bar material is unacceptable and not in line with the principles of fair equestrian sport,” said FN General Secretary Soenke Lauterbach in another in the statement of the association published on Wednesday night.
Solid allegations against Beerbaum
The TV broadcaster RTL had made allegations against a world-class show jumper on Tuesday evening in the program “RTL Extra”. In the contribution, secretly recorded videos were shown in which show jumpers are allegedly trained with the illegal method of so-called barring. A rod is struck against the front legs of the animals when jumping over an obstacle.
According to the FN, the recordings have been known for a long time. In May 2021, the association based in Warendorf filed a complaint with the NRW police against unknown persons because of the possible violation of the Animal Welfare Act. The FN wanted to inform the public prosecutor’s office about the RTL contribution “so that they can evaluate the facts on the basis of the Animal Welfare Act”.
“Take allegations very seriously”
“As we have already expressed to RTL in 2020 and 2021, we take the allegations very seriously. That is precisely why we will carefully analyze the footage broadcast on Tuesday evening and then draw appropriate conclusions on how to proceed,” said Lauterbach.
In order to be able to make a “serious assessment of the facts”, all video and evidence are required, he said.
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