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Controversial training method in show jumping: Olympic champion Beerbaum defends himself against allegations of cruelty to animals

2022-01-12T13:34:57.367Z


In an RTL report, show jumper Ludger Beerbaum is accused of unauthorized training methods. The German and international equestrian federations had already reacted. Now the Olympic champion expressed himself.


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Ludger Beerbaum 2015: The show jumper wants to take legal action against the allegations

Photo:

Alex Grimm / Bongarts / Getty Images

The four-time Olympic champion Ludger Beerbaum has defended himself against the allegations made in an RTL report of illegal training methods in show jumping horses on his farm and announced legal action.

"RTL extra's contribution is demonstrably wrong, defamatory and defamatory in many respects," said a statement published by Beerbaum on Wednesday: "Of course we will take legal action against it.

It is unacceptable that it was secretly filmed on my private property. "

In the TV program “RTL extra”, on the basis of secretly filmed video recordings, evidence was to be provided that unauthorized training methods and possible violations of the Animal Welfare Act were being used on the Olympic champion's estate.

Videos were shown in the post in which show jumpers are struck with a bar against the front legs while jumping over obstacles.

In addition, "polygonal wooden poles" and poles with points were found on the system, as RTL announced.

However, it is not possible to tell with absolute certainty whether the rider in the video images is actually Beerbaum.

The scenes on the riding arena shown in the contribution, said Beerbaum, “have nothing to do with parallel bars.

It is about permitted touching that was carried out by an experienced, experienced horse specialist. "The object seen in the video met the requirements of the German Equestrian Association for permissible touching:" No longer than three meters, a maximum of two kilograms in weight. «

Ingots or touching?

In an interview published by the German Equestrian Association (FN) on Wednesday afternoon, FN General Secretary Soenke Lauterbach also pointed out the difference between the »parallel bars« of a horse and the »touching«. "The boundaries between what is permitted under the guidelines for riding and driving and the bars prohibited under animal welfare guidelines are fluid," said Lauterbach. "That is precisely why a differentiated view is necessary."

In parallel bars, a rod is hit against the legs of the animals when jumping over an obstacle.

This causes pain in the horse.

On the other hand, touching is permitted, in which a smooth round timber that is a maximum of three meters long and weighs no more than two kilograms may be used.

Since the beginning of January 2021, an expert commission at the FN has been trying to formulate a boundary.

In a statement published by the association on Wednesday night, it said: »Even now, regardless of the contribution shown, we can clearly say that the use of square bars and dimpled or spiked bar material is unacceptable and not in accordance with the principles of fair equestrian sport «.

Beerbaum defends himself

Regarding the polygonal poles found in the barn by the RTL employee disguised as an intern, Beerbaum said: These are wooden poles »that are used exclusively for the construction and repair of our pasture fences. The insulators for the fence tapes attached to the poles are clearly visible in the film. As soon as it is claimed that these are used for parallel bars, this is incorrect. "

This also applies to the studs in the attic that RTL had shown in the article. “All I can say is that these elements have been there for years,” said Beerbaum: “These come from a purchased inventory of obstacles and have been sorted out so that they are not used. They are also not used in training with horses. "

How one of these parts, "polished and clean", would get between the common obstacle bars, he could only speculate.

»For me it is obvious that one of these poles was put there explicitly for the contribution.

We'll do more research on that, ”Beerbaum said.

Already in 2021 there was a complaint against unknown persons

According to the FN, the recordings have been known for a long time.

In May 2021, the association, based in Warendorf, filed a complaint with the NRW police against unknown people because of the possible violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The FN wanted to inform the public prosecutor's office about the RTL contribution, "so that they can evaluate the facts on the basis of the Animal Welfare Act."

»As we already told RTL in 2020 and 2021, we take the allegations very seriously.

That is precisely why we will carefully analyze the footage broadcast on Tuesday evening and then draw appropriate conclusions on how to proceed, "Lauterbach was quoted in the message.

In order to be able to make a "serious assessment of the facts", all video and evidence are required, he said.

"Absolutely unacceptable"

The world federation FEI had also got involved.

An investigation into the scenes shown in the RTL report has been initiated and contact has already been made with the FN, the association said before Beerbaum's statement: »The well-being of the horse is always crucial, and the FEI condemns all measures taken in the This is in contrast to this. «The methods shown in the article are» absolutely unacceptable and contradict all FEI regulations «.

Ludger Beerbaum is a four-time Olympic champion and has also won numerous medals at world equestrian games and European championships.

ara / ngo / sid / dpa

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2022-01-12

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