Minister meets Danish Riding Federation to address horse abuse issues ahead of Olympics

Last year, the case of horse abuse involving dressage star Andreas Helgstrand prompted Denmark’s food minister to reach out to the Danish Riding Federation. Now, with the Olympics approaching, new issues have resurfaced, including a leaked video from 2022 showing Danish dressage rider Carina Cassøe Krüth whipping her horse twice during training. Consequently, the minister will meet with the federation on Wednesday for the second time in under a year to discuss how to address these matters.

“While we can celebrate winning medals at the Olympics, it should not come at the expense of animals,” stated Jacob Jensen, the food minister. He emphasized the importance of upholding the law, including for those involved with horses. Jensen expressed a desire for harsher penalties for riders who mistreat their horses, anticipating that concrete proposals for stricter animal welfare penalties will be presented soon. This could involve increased fines and potential prison sentences for serious violations.

The Danish Riding Federation (DRF) is pleased to have the opportunity to discuss these challenges with the minister. DRF Chairman Dan Boyter remarked that it is an opportune moment to address current issues within the federation.

The meeting comes shortly after the incident involving Krüth gained attention. DRF, the Animal Ethics Council, and Animal Protection Denmark have all condemned the training depicted in the video as violent, with the rider herself expressing regret. Initially, Krüth received a fine of 5,000 kroner from the federation’s disciplinary committee, followed by a temporary exclusion from the national team pending a review of her case.

However, the minister believes more action could be taken. “One could certainly choose to file a police report, but that is not my role as a politician,” Jensen stated, emphasizing the federation’s responsibility. He argued that for animal abuse cases to be effective, they must be reported to the police rather than handled internally. “The law must be followed, and there should be consequences for those who do not treat their animals properly,” he added.