Photos: New Horse Abuse Allegations at Olympics Prompt PETA to Demand Equestrian’s Disqualification

For Immediate Release:
July 26, 2024

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Yesterday, PETA received photos from a concerned witness that show a rider on an Olympic equestrian eventing team apparently violating Fédération Equestre Internationale rules regarding forcing a horse’s neck into a dangerously unnatural position. In response, PETA rushed a letter to federation’s president, Ingmar De Vos, urging him to investigate and withdraw the rider and the horse—believed to be Brazilian Carlos Parro and Safira—from competition.

The hyperflexion of a horse’s neck through aggressive force, known as “rollkur,” is banned at international equestrian events. Rollkur is extremely painful and can block a horse’s airway, damage the spine, and cause long-term health problems. This latest instance of horse abuse comes just days after a video surfaced showing British Olympic equestrian team member Charlotte Dujardin repeatedly striking a horse during a training session, which prompted PETA to renew its call for the Olympic Games to drop equestrian events. Dujardin was banned from the Paris Olympics.

An Olympic rider believed to be Carlos Parro forces a horse’s neck into a dangerous, hyperflexed position. Credit: PETA

“The agony that Safira must have endured as his neck was repeatedly contorted and wrenched is unimaginable,” says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA is calling on the safety committee to toss Parro out of the Games before he inflicts any more abuse on vulnerable animals.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to De Vos follows.

Ingmar De Vos

President

Fédération Equestre Internationale

Dear Mr. De Vos:

I’m writing on behalf of PETA and our international entities to urge you to investigate an apparent violation of FEI rules, as well as an egregious disregard for the FEI fundamental welfare guidelines and principles. The rider and horse appear to be Carlos Parro and Safira on the Brazilian eventing team, and this should be confirmed by the FEI. As you can see in the attached photographs, which were sent to PETA yesterday, the hyperflexion of the horse’s neck is so severe that it appears deformed.

As you know, this is prohibited. Rollkur compromises breathing, damages the spine, and leads to long-term health issues. The pain this horse must be enduring is almost unimaginable and must not be tolerated.

We hope by now that the safety committee has acted and eliminated Parro (if that is indeed who the rider is) from competition, and that it has conducted a thorough veterinary examination of the horse. If this has not been done, we ask that you take immediate action to prevent further abuse of this horse.

Allowing the team to go forward would be an endorsement of cruelty. The public is unlikely to accept this, as illustrated by the mass outrage over the Charlotte Dujardin abuse video. May I hear from you about this? Thank you.

Respectfully,

Kathy Guillermo

Senior Vice President