The interim suspension means the trainer cannot race horses in Britain or internationally.

In the video, which is believed to be two years old, Sir Mark appears to hit a horse while trying to get it to the water jump during a cross-country schooling session in Scotland.

On Sunday (February 13), the BHA condemned the footage and confirmed it was investigating the incident.

An interim sanction has now followed.

"This interim suspension means that while investigations continue into the circumstances of this incident, Sir Mark will be unable to race horses in Great Britain or internationally," the BHA said.

"The trainer has admitted the individual involved in the video was him, has apologised for his actions and agreed to the imposition of an interim suspension."

While the BHA investigates, the New Zealander can continue to train horses, but could lose his licence to train and compete once an independent judiciary has evaluated the BHA's evidence.

Sir Mark can also be handed a fine.

Since the video was shared on TikTok last week, the fallout has led to Sir Mark stepping down as patron of World Horse Welfare.

Organisations including the the International Equestrian Federation, British Eventing, the British Horse Society and Equestrian Sports New Zealand have all condemned the video.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) cannot prosecute the trainer as evidence must be less than six months old, but has still condemned the footage.

"The manner in which the horse in this video is treated is wholly inappropriate," the SSPCA said.

"It is distressing to think a man who works with horses on a daily basis is capable of abusing a horse in such a way."

Sir Mark won eventing gold at the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 Olympic Games.

The New Zealander won six medals at the Olympics in total, appearing at seven editions of the Games.

His success in the sport led him to receive a knighthood in 2013.

After retiring from eventing, Sir Mark turned to racehorse training in 2019.

The former athlete accepted the BHA’s conclusion in a statement after already admitting to and apologising for being the person in the video.

"One of the main things I preach is about establishing a mutual respect between horse and rider and that patience and kindness is the best way to get results," he said.

"I believe this is one of the main attributes along with a great empathy with animals that has enabled me to have a long and successful career in eventing."

Sir Mark added: "I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case."