A German Olympic coach has been banished from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after being caught punching a horse during the women's modern pentathlon showjumping on Friday.
Kim Raisner was due to coach in the men's event on Saturday but has been thrown out for her angry actions.
Raisner was trying to help athlete Annika Schleu as her horse, Saint Boy, refused to jump and misbehaved during the showjumping.
In modern pentathlon the competitors are randomly allocated a horse and have only 20 minutes to become accustomed to the animal before taking on the course.
Saint Boy had already caused problems for the first athlete who attempted to guide the horse around the tricky setup at the Tokyo Stadium.
Many of social media were quick to call out Schleu and particularly Raisner for their harsh treatment of the animal as they tried to gain some level of control.
Leading into the showjumping Schleu was leading the field comfortably by 24 points, and was visibly distraught as she saw her campaign for gold slipping away. She repeatedly hit the horse on its back while Raisner was caught on German TV shouting: "Really hit it, hit it."
Raisner herself then took a swing at Saint Boy, punching the horse in the back of the leg.
The governing body of modern pentathlon, the UIPM, were quick to respond to the controversy. In a statement on Saturday morning, they said: "The UIPM Executive Board (EB) has given a black card to the Germany team coach Kim Raisner, disqualifying her from the remainder of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
"The EB reviewed video footage that showed Ms Raisner appearing to strike the horse Saint Boy, ridden by Annika Schleu, with her fist during the riding discipline of the women’s modern pentathlon competition.
"Her actions were deemed to be in violation of the UIPM competition rules, which are applied to all recognised modern pentathlon competitions including the Olympic Games.
"The EB decision was made today at the Tokyo Stadium before the resumption of the men’s modern pentathlon competition."
Germany's Olympic team chief also commented on the incident and suggested that authorities needed to adjust the rules: "We were all in agreement that the coach will not be at the competition on Saturday.
"Rules must change in such a way so that rider and horse are protected.
"The focus must be on the welfare of the animals and the fair competition for athletes."
The women's event finished in glory for Team GB as Kate French stormed home in the final event, the laser run, to win the gold medal.
