As the International Modern Pentathlon Union debates what should replace show jumping in its sport line-up for the 2024 Paris Olympics (apparently some sort of cross-country obstacle race is being considered), German prosecutors dropped their investigation into two controversial figures whose behavior sparked outrage during the competition in Tokyo.
Pentathlete Annika Schleu and her coach, Kim Raisner, got worldwide headlines after Schleu threw a fit when her horse refused to jump and Raisner punched the animal. Prosecutors let the matter rest after the rider and coach were told to make a charitable donation.
The German Animal Welfare Federation filed a criminal complaint against the pair after their actions at the Games, but they were not charged. Schleu had been leading the women’s modern pentathlon competition before her mount, Saint Boy, would not jump. The rider was criticized for overuse of whip and spurs.
The public prosecutor, quoted by the publication Pferderevue, said the pentathlete and the coach “only had a short-term effect on the riding horse and were in an exceptional physical and psychological situation of the Olympic competition. In addition, no injuries were inflicted on the competition horse.
“In view of the minor impact of the crime and against the background of the continued media reporting, it can be assumed that the investigative proceedings have had a sufficient impact on the suspects who have not yet appeared criminally.”
The German Animal Welfare Association said it had aimed to initiate “a social discussion about how to deal with horses in competitive sport”.
“We have undoubtedly succeeded in doing this, as the announced changes in the mode of modern pentathlon show,” it stated, quoted by Deutsche Welle.
Although the scandal pointed out the problems of requiring people to ride horses under pressure when many are inexperienced at equestrian sport, more than 650 pentathletes signed a letter seeking the resignation of the pentathlon union’s president after riding was removed from the format.
The sport, which has been part of the Games since 1912, is not on the program for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. In order to be considered for inclusion, it must replace riding and present its overall competition formula, which at this point includes only swimming, fencing and the laser run, which combines running and shooting..
Raisner was found guilty by a disciplinary panel of violating a rule under which a “pentathlete or team is disqualified for rapping or beating a horse and all other cases of cruelty and/or ill treatment of a horse”.
She was ordered to attend a “coach education seminar” which offers a “humane treatment of animals” module before returning to a UIPM competition.