Ponys Mutilated at Riem Equestrian Facility, Tournament Halted
Munich, February 17 – Six ponies were subjected to cruel mutilation at the Olympia Equestrian Facility in Riem during the night from Saturday to Sunday. Unidentified perpetrators cut the animals’ tails and manes, bound their front legs, and secured their tongues with rubber bands. The incident, which came to light on Sunday morning, prompted the immediate cancellation of a dressage tournament organized by the Bavarian Riding and Driving Association (BRFV).
The Munich criminal police are investigating the cases of animal cruelty. According to police reports on Tuesday, one or more perpetrators gained access to the horse stables between Saturday night and Sunday morning. A police spokesperson stated that the perpetrators cut the animals’ manes, forelocks, and tails, bound their legs, and wrapped “commercially available rubber bands” around their tongues. A veterinarian immediately called to the scene assessed that no permanent damage is expected.
Tournament Canceled, Equestrian Community in Shock
The incident caused widespread shock and outrage within the equestrian community. Following the discovery of the mutilations on Sunday morning, the tournament, which was intended as a Bavarian selection event for the prestigious “Preis der Besten” competition for junior riders in Germany, was promptly canceled. Wilfried Herkommer, long-time managing director of the BRFV, told the equestrian portal Equi Pages on Monday, “Everyone was in great shock. The children were deeply disturbed. No one wanted to ride under these circumstances anymore. Everyone just wanted to go home.” The “Preis der Besten” is a significant competition for young riders, typically involving teenagers aged 12 to 16 riding ponies.
The news of the incident reached the German Equestrian Federation (FN), the umbrella organization for breeders and riders based in Warendorf. In a statement, the FN emphasized that the incidents occurred “outside of training and tournament operations.” The federation is concerned about the image of equestrian sports, as there have been previous high-profile violations of animal welfare where horses were allegedly subjected to unauthorized methods to enhance performance.
Investigation Underway, Security Measures to be Increased
The Munich police are investigating in all directions, as no signs of forced entry were found, and the stables were reportedly unlocked. According to sources within equestrian circles, there was no video surveillance or stable guard at the facility. The police have not yet found any evidence suggesting a violent break-in. The responsible police department, Commission 65, is considering all possibilities, including a potential connection to the tournament itself. However, equestrian experts find this puzzling, as the affected ponies were reportedly not among the favorites in the competition, making it unlikely that they were targeted by a competitor.
The Olympia Equestrian Facility also houses the mounted police unit of the Munich police, which rents stalls in the affected building. However, no police horses were present in those particular stalls at the time of the incident, leading the police spokesperson to rule out the possibility that the animal cruelty was directed at police horses. This incident follows a previous arson attack on the mounted police inspection last May.
In response to the weekend’s events, the FN announced that security measures at the Riem facility would be further tightened. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
