Swedish horse rider
Patrik Kittel (born 10 June 1976) is a Swedish dressage rider. He was born in Stockholm. He competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he placed fourth in team dressage.[1] At the 2012 Summer Olympics he competed in the team dressage events and qualified for the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, finishing 14th.[2]
In 2024, Kittel was chosen to represent Sweden at the 2024 Olympic Games, where he placed 14th in the individual competition.[3]
Controversy
In 2009, a video of Kittel riding Watermill Scandic using rollkur, or hyperflexion of the horse's neck during warm up at a competition in Denmark caused international outcry.[4] The horse's tongue appeared to turn blue as a result of the manouver, leading to the "blue-tongue scandal".[5] Tens of thousands of letters in protest were sent to dressage's world governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), who banned the practice of rollkur after public pressure.[6][7][8] At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Kittel was pictured riding Scandic in rollkur in the warm up prior to the competition.[9][10] In response to public outcry, the FEI reported the images were taken during an "inopportune moment".[11][10][12]
In 2024, Kittel was pictured riding in competitions in Amsterdam and Neumünster where his horse's tongue was noticeably blue, suggesting his mount was in pain and had lost oxygen.[13] The FEI claimed to be looking into the allegations.[14] At the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Kittel's horse Touchdown was again pictured with a blue tongue.[15] When asked about the incident, Göran Åkerström, the International Equestrian Federation chief veterinarian said a blue tongue was unacceptable.[16]
Personal life
He is married to Australian dressage rider Lyndal Oatley.[17]
References