Kaley Cuoco has offered to buy the horse that was punched by Germany’s modern pentathlon coach during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Kim Raisner punched Saint Boy after the horse refused to cooperate with rider Annika Schleu during the women’s show jumping event on August 6th, with the horse failing to trot and jump.
In addition to Raisner's punch, Schleu repeatedly used her whip as she attempted to salvage her routine.
Raisner was immediately banned from the Games and the controversial incident sparked a wave of criticism - and Cuoco took to Instagram to give her take.
“I feel it’s my duty and heart to comment on this disgrace,” The Big Bang Theory star wrote.
“This is not Olympic showjumping. This is a disgusting, classless, abusive representation of our sport in so many ways. The team should be ashamed of themselves.”
Cuoco shared a picture of Schleu and Saint Boy in action from the Olympics, and added: “You and your team did not do your country proud or this sport.
“You make us look bad. Shame on you and godspeed to any animal that comes in contact with you.”
The 35-year-old, who starred in The Flight Attendant recently, continued her tirade and described the incident as ‘pure classless behaviour’ and ‘disgusting on all levels’.
“This is not our sport. This does not represent our sport,” Cuoco said. “This ‘rider’ and ‘her trainer’ are a disgrace.”
Cuoco’s husband Karl Cook is a horse trainer, and the actress is passionate about equestrian - so much so that she offered to purchase Saint Boy.
“I’ll buy that horse outright and show it the life it should have. Name your price.”
Her offer is serious, as Cuoco later added that she 'wasn't kidding'.
Schleu and coach Raisner are accused of animal cruelty, and the German Animal Welfare Association have filed a complaint against the duo.
The body criticised Schleu for having ‘roughly beaten the frightened and overtaxed the horse several times’ while Raisner was accused of urging the athlete ‘to commit this act of cruelty to animals’.
Thomas Schroeder, President of the German Animal Welfare Association, said: "Of course, an athlete fixated on Olympic gold is under enormous pressure, but that is no excuse for cruelty to animals."
Competitors in the modern pentathlon draw their horses at random.
