Horseback riding will be removed from the modern pentathlon discipline at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, according to ESPN. A suitable replacement for the jumping portion of the sport is being investigated by the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM). Modern pentathlon competition includes cross-country running, fencing, pistol shooting, show jumping and swimming.
The removal of riding from pentathlon was spurred by widespread criticism of equine welfare during the 2021 Tokyo Games, when German coach Kim Raisner hit competitor Annika Schleu's horse when it refused to jump. Though the UIPM had committed to reviewing and protecting horseback riding as a component of pentathlon, a meeting of the UIPM Innovation Commission after the event resulted in recommendations to remove riding from the competition.
Raisner was disqualified from coaching the men's event at Tokyo.
Read more at ESPN.
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