Former Olympic dressage rider Cesar Parra has been suspended for 15 years for repeatedly abusing a number of horses in his care in a “deeply unsettling case”.
The FEI Tribunal has introduced as we speak (6 August) that US rider Parra, 62, has been sanctioned for “actions violating the rules of horse welfare”. He had been provisionally suspended since February final yr; H&H reported on the time that US Equestrian (USEF) had been despatched video clips “documenting [Parra’s] abhorrent abusive coaching methods” at his personal coaching yard in Florida.
“US Equestrian had acquired a number of allegations together with quite a few movies and pictures exhibiting Parra participating in abusive behaviour and coaching strategies involving a number of horses,” an FEI spokesperson stated.
“The FEI, in coordination with US Equestrian, launched an instantaneous investigation into the allegations that Parra had repeatedly and intentionally subjected the bulk, if not all, of the horses he owned and skilled to recurring and critical abuse over a variety of years.”
The long-running investigation concerned reviewing “in depth video and photographic materials”, and statements from a number of witnesses. The FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings towards Parra in Could 2024 on three expenses: abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute and breach of the FEI code of conduct on the welfare of the horse.
“This case is deeply unsettling, not solely due to the recurring nature of the abuse, but in addition due to the variety of horses affected,” stated FEI authorized director Mikael Rentsch.
“That such behaviour got here from a top-level athlete makes it all of the extra troubling. Our athletes are anticipated to signify and uphold the very best requirements of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the inspiration, not an add-on, of equestrian sport.
“The investigation demanded vital time and sources as a result of quantity and complexity of the proof, which needed to be meticulously verified. The 15-year suspension sends a transparent message that no matter profile or place, those that violate the rules of horse welfare will face critical penalties.”
Cesar Parra represented Colombia on the 1999 Pan American Video games, the 2004 Olympics and the 2002 and 2006 World Equestrian Video games. He switched nationalities in 2008 and competed for the US on the 2011 Pan American Video games.
Rule change
A USEF spokesperson stated that when the federation acquired the complaints about Parra in early 2024, it didn’t have a rule permitting it to take motion on welfare points exterior sanctioned competitions. It referred the case to the FEI, which did have such a rule, and has since handed a change increasing its jurisdiction to “unethical remedy that happens on or off the grounds of a federation competitors”.
“As a federation, now we have strengthened our guidelines to make sure we’re inside our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary motion for behaviour and actions endangering horse security and welfare, each on and off competitors grounds,” stated USEF CEO Invoice Moroney. “Parra’s documented and repeated conduct has no place in our sport, and we’ll make sure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s choice. We recognize the FEI’s diligence and experience in pursuing this matter.”
The FEI stated Parra’s suspension, from all nationwide and worldwide competitors, associated exercise or coaching of FEI-registered riders or horses till 1 February 2039, is a part of “probably the most vital sanctions issued by the FEI Tribunal”. He has additionally been fined CHF 15,000 (£13,947) and ordered to pay CHF 10,000 in authorized prices.
H&H has contacted Parra.
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H&H information editor
Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all elements of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by to worldwide championships.
