Chris Hemsworth cheers daughter India Rose's bull riding win, faces animal abuse backlash
Synopsis
Chris Hemsworth posted two Instagram videos celebrating daughter India Rose's bull riding victory — calling her 'a savage' and the 'only girl in the comp.' His followers weren't all cheering: several accused him of promoting animal abuse, turning a proud dad moment into a polarising debate about rodeo sports and celebrity influence.
Key Takeaways
Chris Hemsworth shared two Instagram videos of daughter India Rose Hemsworth winning a bull riding competition on Wednesday .
He captioned the post: 'Only girl in the comp and took home the win.
Proud moment.' Multiple followers accused the post of promoting animal abuse , citing concerns about rodeo practices involving bulls.
India Rose , born in 2012 , is the eldest child of Hemsworth and Spanish actress Elsa Pataky .
The family is based in Australia , where they have chosen a lifestyle away from Hollywood.
Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth celebrated his daughter India Rose Hemsworth's bull riding victory on Wednesday, sharing two videos of her performance on Instagram — only to face a wave of criticism from followers who called the sport a form of animal abuse.
The Post That Sparked the Debate
Hemsworth captioned the videos with an unambiguous show of pride: 'Just wanna say my daughter is a savage. Only girl in the comp and took home the win. Proud moment.' India Rose, 12 years old and the eldest of his three children, was reportedly the sole female competitor in the event and finished first.
How Followers Reacted
The post drew sharply divided responses. Several users directed their criticism at the sport rather than the Hemsworth family. One commenter wrote, 'The poor bull. Animal abuse should not be entertainment.' Another raised a specific concern about rodeo practice: 'Is this the "wonderful" tradition where they tie the bull's balls with a rope and everytime they kick in the air they pull on them harder? i really hope not.' A third user asked Hemsworth to 'Please do not promote this.' A lighter remark came from a fourth commenter who wrote, 'Shouldn't you be worrying about defeating Doctor Doom' — a nod to Hemsworth's ongoing role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Who India Rose Hemsworth Is
India Rose was born in 2012 to Hemsworth and his wife, Spanish actress and model Elsa Pataky, whom he married in December 2010. The couple also have twin sons, Sasha and Tristan, born in 2014. India Rose has previously appeared alongside her father on screen, including in 'Thor: Love and Thunder'. The family is based in Australia, where Hemsworth and Pataky have said they want to raise their children away from the pressures of Hollywood.
The Broader Context
Bull riding and rodeo sports have long attracted controversy, with animal rights advocates arguing that equipment such as flank straps causes distress to animals, while proponents maintain these are legitimate competitive traditions with regulated safety standards. Hemsworth has not publicly responded to the criticism on the post. This comes amid a growing global conversation around celebrity responsibility when endorsing or celebrating sports that some consider harmful to animals.
Point of View
Banned in others. What the comment section reveals is that audiences are no longer passive; a proud-dad caption can become a referendum on the sport itself within hours. Hemsworth's silence in response is itself a choice, and one that will be read differently depending on which side of the debate a follower is on.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chris Hemsworth post about his daughter India Rose?
Chris Hemsworth shared two Instagram videos of his daughter India Rose Hemsworth competing in — and winning — a bull riding event, calling her 'a savage' and noting she was the only girl in the competition. He described it as a 'proud moment.'
Why are followers criticising Chris Hemsworth's post?
Several followers accused the post of promoting animal abuse, with comments citing rodeo practices they believe cause distress to bulls. One user specifically raised concerns about the use of flank straps or ropes in bull riding competitions.
Who is India Rose Hemsworth?
India Rose Hemsworth, born in 2012, is the eldest child of actor Chris Hemsworth and Spanish actress Elsa Pataky. She has appeared in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' alongside her father and grows up with her family in Australia.
Has Chris Hemsworth responded to the animal abuse criticism?
As of the time of reporting, Hemsworth had not publicly responded to the critical comments on his Instagram post.
Where does Chris Hemsworth's family live?
Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, and their three children — India Rose and twin sons Sasha and Tristan — are based in Australia, where the couple has said they prioritise a grounded upbringing for their children away from Hollywood.
