Patrik Kittel

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 maneuver, 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]

He is married to Australian dressage rider Lyndal Oatley.^[17]