The Fédération Equestre Internationale’s campaign to clean up endurance has suffered a setback due to an escalating outcry over a “skeletal” horse at the 160-kilometer CEI in Compiegne, France, on May 23.

The FEI has defended officiating veterinarians for allowing Shakla’s Sudden Impact, an entry from Bahrain, through the first horse inspection, but other experts have described the 12-year-old Arabian’s condition as “disturbing” and “disgusting” as debate still rages on social media 11 days after the event.