The 2020 Olympic Games saw a lot of intense happenings and events. However, unfortunately, this year’s games saw evidence of animal abuse. Following one Olympic equestrian‘s epic loss after her horse’s refusal to jump, German coach Kim Raisner was disqualified from the remainder of the games after striking the animal, named Saint Boy. Olympic fans worldwide condemned the action and “The Big Bang Theory” actress Kaley Cuoco was most outspoken on the issue.
“I’ll buy that horse outright and show it the life it should have. Name your price,” Cuoco wrote on her Instagram story following the event.
According to HuffPost, Kaley Cuoco is an experienced and passionate horseback rider herself. Cuoco is also married to fellow equestrian Karl Cook. The outlet reported that she called the incident a “disgrace.” She further said it was a “disgusting classless abusive representation of our sport in so many ways.”
Following speculation about her post, Kaley Cuoco confirmed that she was absolutely, 100% serious about the offer. For Saint Boy’s sake, we hope she can follow through.
Kaley Cuoco’s Outright Disgust Was Echoed by Animal Lovers Worldwide
According to CNN, Saint Boy rider Annika Schleu struggled to control the horse from the start of her round, which consisted of showjumping. The round is one of several required to place during the Game’s pentathlon event, one we’re sure Kaley Cuoco and other equestrian riders are familiar with. Schleu initially had difficulty in encouraging her horse to enter the arena in the first place. Then, Saint Boy proceeded to refuse to do several of the required jumps.
Footage then showed Schleu whipping the horse repeatedly throughout the course as she grew more frustrated. Finally, she ended the event in tears. Initial footage showed coach Raisner punching the horse above its back leg. Raisner also encouraged Schleu to do the same, and was caught saying, “really hit it.”
Clearly the horse is in distress as Annika Schleu of #GER in tears struggling to control him. Then her coach Kim Raisner violated the rules by punching the horse. Coach has now been disqualified from #Tokyo2020. Poor horse. #ModernPentathlon
— 𝗔𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝘇𝘂𝗮𝗻 (@ayshardzn) August 7, 2021
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The incident was especially upsetting for the rider who previously placed fourth during the 2016 Rio Games. According to HuffPost, Schleu had been leading the field before the detrimental round. Pentathlon requirements have athletes randomly draw for their horses, so riders don’t know what to expect from their ride going into the event. CBS News stated the German Olympic Sports Federation released a statement on the incident. They further called for the internal organization to adjust rules like this to best protect horses and riders.
What Happened to Saint Boy?
While news of the incident spread rapidly, viewers of the event, including Kaley Cuoco, are left wondering what actually happened to the terrorized horse. Although we’re sure many fans would feel better having the horse’s welfare overseen by Cuoco and her husband, Saint Boy is reportedly back home for now.
The UIPM, which, in English, translates to the International Modern Pentathlon Union, provided witnesses to the horse’s ordeal a little ease. They shared in an August 8th Twitter post that Saint Boy is back home at Shiga Prefecture. The photos show Saint Boy, without tack, at rest in a loose halter.
The post further said his owners stated, “[Saint Boy] is in good health, although fatigued from the competition.”
