Stop! What are you doing?!: a Russian athlete beat a horse at a competition, after which she was disqualified (2 photos + 1 video)
Category: Terrible (all news), Animals
9 April 2024
The decision was made by the Equestrian Federation after the behavior of the rider at the tournament in Yaroslavl. 
On March 10, an equestrian tournament took place in Yaroslavl. Ksenia Kostygova took part in the competition. The performance of the 23-year-old rider did not go well: the horse stopped obeying, and the girl decided to bring her to her senses. She began to whip the animal in the face and stopped only when she heard criticism from the stands.
Carefully! Cruelty to animals!
Kostygova’s behavior became the subject of investigation in the Equestrian Federation. For cruelty to animals, the athlete was disqualified for 2 years. It is explained that she will not only be able to take part in competitions, but also to conduct any other activities related to equestrian sports and horses: master classes, coaching, etc. are prohibited.
The head coach of the Federation of the Equestrian Team Vladimir Beletsky explains:
“I watched a video from the competition in Yaroslavl, in which everything is clearly visible. What the athlete allowed herself to do is absolutely unacceptable both during the tournament and outside it. We will continue to punish careless athletes and horse owners for such actions in our In this sport, the welfare of the animal is at the forefront."
As for punishments, 2-3 light blows with a hand or a whip are allowed if the animal does not obey. These actions, according to the trainer, are a hint for the horse what to do next if it does not understand the rider’s signal. However, what happened at the competitions in Yaroslavl cannot be called anything other than a beating. Kostygov was beaten by a horse, which is considered absolutely unacceptable.
By the way, the girl had previously been subject to disciplinary action for rough treatment of an animal at one of the tournaments. But apparently she didn’t learn her lesson.
Disqualification for a long period, Beletsky believes, is “the worst thing that can happen, and the athlete’s explanations do not play any role at all.”
“Such an attitude towards an animal cannot be justified in any way. Athletes are emotional people, but you need to be able to control yourself, since they are responsible for their animals, which sometimes do not obey,” the coach is sure.
If an athlete allowed herself to behave this way in front of dozens of people, it’s scary to imagine what she can do to an animal when no one can see her!
