Swedish showjumper Douglas Lindelow accused of mistreating horses

Swedish European medal-winning showjumper Douglas Lindelöw has denied allegations of mistreating horses, as he has been suspended from nationwide staff actions and worldwide competitors – and reported to the police.

On Monday (11 March) Swiss publication Aftonbladet reported that an elite showjumper “abuses and punishes horses after poor outcomes”, and that 5 grooms had come ahead with allegations of mistreatment.

On the time the rider had not been publicly named, and on Tuesday in an announcement a spokesman for the Swedish equestrian federation said that “a rider belonging to one of many leaping squads will take a break from all nationwide team-related actions” – and that the federation had been taking the data “extraordinarily significantly”. The spokesman, who added that the rider “doesn’t belong to the championship squad”, mentioned the choice was “not at present a disciplinary measure, however a pause throughout additional overview”.

In an additional assertion on Wednesday the spokesman mentioned the federation had been involved with “a number of individuals who testify to an motion that would point out against the law” – and that the rider in query had been reported to the police.

“Within the final 24 hours, we’ve been involved with a variety of individuals who have expertise with the rider. What they inform us signifies that we can not rule out crime within the dealing with of horses and which means we select to report it to the police. If against the law is suspected, it’s at all times necessary to let the police examine,” mentioned Johan Fyrberg, the Swedish equestrian federation’s secretary common.

Mr Fyrberg added that as of Wednesday (13 March) the federation won’t sanction worldwide competitors for the rider “in the meanwhile”.

“Our sport should be characterised by pleasure and love for the horses. Subsequently, there are lots of of us in equestrian Sweden who right this moment are extraordinarily unhappy, offended and annoyed by the tales and photos we’ve been uncovered to. There’s nothing that belongs in equestrian sports activities,” he mentioned.

At present (Friday 15 March) Douglas Lindelöw issued an announcement denying the allegations.

“I want to tackle the intense allegations which were made in opposition to me and the operations I oversee, as reported within the media. I absolutely recognise the gravity of the scenario however firmly refute the accusations of horse mismanagement. Whereas I’m definitely not infallible, I preserve that our care and coaching of horses are performed with utmost respect and in compliance with established norms and rules,” he mentioned.

“In mild of the current allegations, we’re in fact ready to completely cooperate with any potential investigations or inquiries – which we welcome. We’re open to implementing additional measures to make sure and improve the welfare of our animals if mandatory. This has been confirmed by inspections by authorities through the years. Simply this week, I initiated an unbiased veterinary examination of all of the horses. The end result: No remarks.”

Douglas added that he “urges the Swedish equestrian federation to provoke a broader overview of the business in Sweden as considerations are often raised about horses being pushed too exhausting and improper strategies getting used”.

“It’s in everybody’s curiosity to completely examine these considerations,” he mentioned.

Douglas made his senior staff debut on the 2015 European Championships, having gained medals at youth degree. He was on the staff that took silver on the 2017 Europeans on Zacramento. He has ridden at three World Cup finals. In 2021 he was a part of the Swedish staff that positioned fourth on the Europeans.

At present the spokesman for the Swedish Equestrian Federation informed H&H that “the truth that the rider says he desires to take part in any investigation is nice and we welcome that”.

“For us nonetheless, it doesn’t change something. The continuing course of continues in accordance with plan.”

An FEI spokesman mentioned the allegations are “very disturbing” and that the alleged behaviour has “no place in equestrian sport”.

“The FEI is in shut contact with the Swedish nationwide federation and the federation has undertaken to the FEI that it’ll not enter the athlete in FEI competitions whereas the matter is beneath investigation,” he mentioned.

“Additional to that endeavor, the FEI has not deemed it essential to difficulty a provisional suspension at this stage however we’re monitoring the scenario intently.”

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has lined a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed prime riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fortress Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting staff for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.