Abdullah Al Sharbatly issued a statement on Saturday, September 19, to publicly explain the circumstances that led to his 30-day suspension, a measure that, according to the Saudi rider himself, was automatically activated after receiving a second Jumping Recorded Warning.
Al Sharbatly begins his message by making clear his position regarding equine welfare and the regulations that protect it. “I want to clarify that I respect the importance of the rules that protect the well-being of horses in our sport,” he notes.
The rider explains that the horse in question has a natural way of jumping, as it tends to cross its limbs during the jump. According to his version, it was precisely this circumstance that motivated the use of a strap on the bridle to prevent the horse from injuring itself.
Al Sharbatly maintains that it was in that context that the two incidents that led to the Jumping Recorded Warnings and, subsequently, the 30-day suspension occurred. He also rejects the idea that there was any intention to cause harm or discomfort to the horse and asserts that the objective of the material used was precisely the opposite: to protect it from potential injury.
In his statement, the Saudi rider also focuses on the relationship he maintains with his horses. “My horses are not just athletes; they are my companions, and their health, well-being, and happiness will always be my absolute priority,” he states.
Al Sharbatly also points out that, once his version of what happened has been publicly exposed, he will not engage in discussions on social media about what he considers to be false accusations. Finally, he thanks everyone for the expressions of support, understanding, and affection he has received since the situation became known.
The suspension will keep the rider off the competition for 30 days, while his statement seeks to explain the circumstances that, from his perspective, led to the accumulation of the two Jumping Recorded Warnings.
