07/27/24 08:51:00
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07/27 08:50 CDT Brazilian rider Carlos Parro issued a warning at Paris Olympics
over horse treatment
Brazilian rider Carlos Parro issued a warning at Paris Olympics over horse
treatment
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
VERSAILLES, France (AP) --- Equestrian's governing body issued a warning to
Brazilian rider Carlos Parro on Saturday for potentially causing "unnecessary
discomfort" to his horse Safira after receiving evidence from an animal rights
group.
The Federation for Equestrian Sports received a letter and photos that were
sent to its president, Ingmar De Vos, by animal rights group PETA on Friday.
One photo shows Parro hyper-flexing Safira's neck in a prohibited movement
called "Rollkur" --- compromising the horse's breathing.
"The FEI Officials have issued a yellow warning card (to Parro) as the action
of the athlete could have caused unnecessary discomfort to the horse.
Additionally, the Ground Jury has directly addressed the situation with the
athlete and the chef d'Equipe of Brazil," the FEI said in a statement. "The FEI
Stewards are aware of this incident and will be vigilant at all times for any
behavior that is not in line with horse welfare and are prepared to take
immediate action if such behavior occurs."
PETA's letter, which was shared with The Associated Press, said "Rollkur" also
damages the horse's spine and leads to long-term health issues.
"The pain this horse must be enduring is almost unimaginable," PETA said. "The
public is unlikely to accept this, as illustrated by the mass outrage over the
Charlotte Dujardin abuse video."
The 45-year-old Parro took in the dressage section of eventing at the Paris
Olympics on Saturday morning at the Palace of Versailles, and he had finished
competing before the warning was issued.
Also Saturday, Emiliano Portale and his horse Future were eliminated during the
dressage event after blood was found in the horse's mouth during
post-competition checks.
However, this was in line with horse welfare protocol and "does not imply that
there was any intention to hurt or harm the horse," the FEI said in a statement.
On Thursday, the FEI spelled out a series of reforms for improving horse
welfare following the withdrawal of Dujardin, a three-time Olympic gold
medalist, from the Paris Olympics. A video had emerged that showed Dujardin
repeatedly whipping a horse.
Dujardin is provisionally suspended from all events, pending results of the FEI
investigation into her actions.
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
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