After riding drama: German trainer excluded – accusation of animal cruelty

The Olympic drama surrounding the modern pentathlete Annika Schleu has led to the first consequences. National coach Kim Raisner was excluded from the remainder of the Olympic Games. Raisner came under heavy criticism for her loud calls to immobilize the horse with blows.

In addition, the trainer apparently hit the horse that was assigned to the Schleu, which refused to take part in the course, with her fist, the Umbrella Association for Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) explained the decision. “Your behavior was considered a violation of the UIPM competition rules,” the association said on Saturday.

DOSB President Alfons Hörmann had previously announced at a press conference that Raisner would have “neither a role on the course nor on the warm-up area” in the men’s competition on Saturday. The decision was made by mutual agreement after a discussion with Schleu, Raisner and Susanne Wiedemann, sports director of the German Association for Modern Pentathlon (DVMF). This is the “best solution” in order to avoid “further question marks” surrounding the trainer.

Kim Raisner © social media/picture alliance/dosb

“Take a real hit! Hit it!", “Take a real hit! “Hit it!” Raisner had shouted to Schleu – clearly audible on television – when their rental horse Saint Boy refused several times. The visibly overwhelmed athlete then desperately hit the unsettled and frightened horse with the whip. Afterwards there was heavy criticism of the athlete and national coach Raisner.

Until the show jumping on Friday, Schleu was within reach of winning the gold medal. Due to the unsuccessful ride, the Berliner slipped to a hopeless 31st place.

Beijing Olympic champion Lena Schöneborn reacted irritably to the national coach's statements. “I can’t understand the sentences,” she told “Bild”. The emotional tension was massive, but that was no excuse, said the pentathlete, who won gold in 2008.

The “Athletes Germany” association assured Schleu of support. “The hostility and sometimes open hatred that she has received on social networks since yesterday's riding competition is unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” the organization said on Saturday. Associations are calling for the regulations to be adjusted The DVMF called for an adjustment to the riding regulations. “Corresponding changes have already been developed and proposed to the world association (UIPM),” said the association. Schöneborn also sees possible adjustments in the regulations. “One possibility would be to draw horses for the pentathletes the day before,” said the 35-year-old on ARD. This step would change a lot. “We haven't been in this situation before, it hasn't been made clear to us so drastically that it is actually an error in the regulations.” The current competition regulations only allow the athletes 20 minutes to meet the drawn horse before the ride to familiarize.

The German World Association of Modern Pentathletes, Klaus Schormann, defended himself against criticism that the horses were not optimally prepared. “The horses are absolutely excellent,” said the 75-year-old. The horses were tested. “There is no basis for the athletes to complain.” It was only their fault if they were not successful in some parts of the competition, said Schormann.

The DVMF now wants to take time to come to terms with what happened. However, the leading association staunchly opposes the idea of a female athlete being personally insulted and insulted. The association would like “a constructive, objective debate about the modern pentathlon,” it said in the statement.

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After riding drama: German trainer excluded – accusation of animal cruelty

After the Olympic drama surrounding modern pentathlete Annika Schleu, national coach Kim Raisner is excluded from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Some call for reforms - others blame the athletes.

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