Four-time dressage Olympian Richard Davison, who holds a master’s degree in law and advises sports lawyers on equestrian matters, believes introducing mandatory rehabilitation protocols within equestrian disciplinary sanctions could help offending riders change and improve the reputation of the sport

For some, the London International Horse Show might seem like a distant memory. But the performance of Lottie Fry and Glamourdale was outstanding and will stay with me for some time. All five of our British riders did us proud. It was great to welcome German-based Susan Pape back onto home ground and to enjoy Sadie Smith’s London debut.

Following the completion of her suspension, Charlotte Dujardin’s return to competition was fully justified. The principles of natural justice dictate that once a disciplinary sanction has been served, the matter is concluded, and British Dressage’s (BD) CDI selection policy rightly reflects this. Despite that, public interest in Charlotte remained high.

It was therefore a relief for many to hear welcoming cheers from at least a large part of the grandstand as she entered the arena. Under such scrutiny, her grand prix performance was a masterclass in focus and technical riding.

The two-day dressage package went down well and included educational and entertaining events scheduled between the two FEI classes. I hosted a thought-provoking “Dressage in the spotlight” session, bringing together visitors, representatives from the FEI and BD, riders and other professionals to openly discuss some of the key issues currently facing the sport.

Constructive sanctions

The issue of abusive training techniques arose. The discussion focused on a proposal for sanctions to include mandatory rehabilitation as a structured route back into the sport.

Rather than being punitive, the aim would be to provide psychological and educational support, alongside professional evaluation, to ensure that individuals take ownership of their actions and reform their training methods.

Iain Graham, CEO of British Showjumping, explained how they already provide this, and I have received a copy of the Danish federation’s equivalent protocol. Not all offending riders can face up to their actions. Instead, they target their frustration at those who reported them or the governing bodies that had to impose the sanctions.

Using Charlotte’s violations as a case study, I don’t think anyone could blame her if she were to feel as though she had been thrown under the bus by the person reporting her. I think she was. Why would anyone wait four years before reporting a welfare case if they cared about horse abuse?

On that basis, some understandably felt that the complainant’s actions were intended to harm Charlotte’s professional reputation.

But that is irrelevant and not the issue that incenses many onlookers. They remain shocked by the video depicting an Olympic champion, who previously promoted equine welfare, excessively whipping a horse while training it. On those grounds, they feel deceived.

The interests and wellbeing of horses must always be foremost, but surely the nature of these offences indicates that perpetrators are fundamentally misguided and in need of educational assistance and redirection where out-dated practices are entrenched. Most riders would struggle to rehabilitate without support, particularly under public scrutiny.

Relying on statements published in connection with disciplinary proceedings won’t cut it with the public. Nor will simply returning to the winner’s enclosure.

Remaining silent is also ineffective as it creates a void. This can too easily be filled with an assumption that the only reforms that have been made are those that ensure the perpetrator won’t get caught again.

This assumption may not be accurate, but in the absence of transparency, it’s difficult to counter.

Restoring trust

There are no guarantees when it comes to restoring lost integrity. The public tends to view cases involving animal mistreatment differently from other wrongdoings.

However, there is one common requirement if trust is to be restored: that all endeavours towards rehabilitation and reform have been exhausted.

Petitions against the use of horses in sport show no sign of easing. At present, BD and the FEI don’t include mandatory rehabilitation protocols within their disciplinary sanctions, but such measures could support both the rehabilitation of offending riders and the reputation of the sport.

For everyone’s sake, these protocols should be implemented as a matter of urgency.

● What steps do you think equestrian sport should take to rebuild public trust – and how important is rehabilitation in that process? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your thoughts to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events, as well as exclusive insights from top names, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

Why did the FEI’s horse abuse case against Andrew McConnon fall apart? Pippa Cuckson investigates…

‘It gave me a real buzz to be back’ – Charlotte Dujardin makes emotional return to London International

Glamourdale Airlines takes off: ‘It might have been one of the best tests he’s ever done’

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In this exclusive H&H article, equestrian journalist Pippa Cuckson interrogates the FEI tribunal case of Andrew McConnon and considers whether the current process of holding sport horse abusers to account is fit for purpose

The eventing community was shocked by the apparently lenient treatment of Andrew McConnon, the US five-star rider who in October was suspended just 20 months for horse abuse.

Prior to the outcome of the FEI’s case and subsequent release of the 120-page Tribunal document on McConnon’s allegedly abusive practices, individuals had previously tried – unsuccessfully – to report him to US equestrian authorities.

Eventually, the FEI legal department thought it had a cast iron case, with eight witnesses testifying to the 39-year-old’s behaviour over many years. It sought a lifetime ban. Yet the independent FEI Tribunal found no proof of long-term abuse, and regarded the FEI’s witnesses as less convincing than the 10 people speaking to McConnon’s general character, irrespective of whether they were present when alleged incidents took place.

McConnon was sanctioned solely for three single incidents he admitted to, claiming he was under personal stress. These were all from February and March 2024, backed up with pictures from an employee who made a concerted effort to obtain usable evidence. Even though McConnon was guilty of some abuse, and of bringing equestrianism into disrepute, FEI Tribunal denied the FEI’s costs claim because it had wasted “too much time” with insufficient evidence.

Aside from the three incidents proved, McConnon said the other allegations “spiraled off” from videos that went viral on social media and were “demonstrably false”. While some video clips showed necessary “corrections” of horse behaviour, or rider actions to get the horse’s attention, they were not intended to cause pain and were not abuse.

As part of his lengthy final statement, McConnon said: “As a professional athlete and an upper-level competitor, it is my responsibility to set an example. However, in March 2024, I was extremely thankful to [witness name redacted] for kindly speaking with me after a difficult ride about what she had witnessed. That conversation helped me put my then current struggles into focus. I made the necessary changes that day and I was thankful for her forgiveness for my behaviour. This isn’t a case of I’m sorry I got caught. I’m genuinely sorry for my actions.” There was a lot of stress in his personal life at the time, but “being a private and independent person, I incorrectly tried to handle my struggles alone.”

How the Cesar Parra and Andrew McConnon cases differ

Only two months earlier a 15-year ban was handed to US-based dressage Olympian Cesar Parra, effectively ending his career at 65. Aside from the discussion still ongoing about McConnon, and the wider challenges of social licence, the McConnon decision is a huge setback for the FEI legal team. The FEI has, after all, declared zero tolerance for offenders, and encouraged whistleblowers to use its online reporting portal (which has only led to proceedings in four per cent of reported incidents so far.)

We have previously discussed the different ways FEI penalises horse abusers. Anything “on the field of play” is handled by the ground jury and the punishment is unappealable. But once the incident becomes “historic” or occurs away from competition, the emphasis shifts dramatically; it is now up to the whistleblower to prove the case. This is a very big “ask” for a non-lawyer, even when the FEI’s experienced litigators take the lead.

McConnon and Parra were charged with similarly egregious practices such as excessive use of whips and spurs (sometimes resulting in weals and blood), hyperflexion and other means of tying down a horse for prolonged spells, repeated jabbing of the horse in the mouth, working of horses known to be lame and withholding food and water as a punishment.

Two Tribunal members sat on both panels: Brian Ward, and Agustin Fattal Jaef. However, there were several distinct differences between the presentation which may explain some of the McConnon findings.

Against Parra, 29 videos and 25 photos clearly showed his involvement in incidents at issue. Some show prolonged abuse. The four witnesses took more of a complementary role to the extensive evidence that had been caught on camera. Only two of his claimed 54 supporters were actually prepared to speak up on the day. Parra also incriminated himself. While denying abuse (and not all allegations were proved) he clearly felt there was nothing unusual about his training methods. The Tribunal was “amazed to see how creative [he] has been in trying to find techniques and practices that would hurt horses, in perfect indifference to their suffering”.

By contrast, picture evidence against McConnon was limited, with videos lasting only a few seconds; in slow motion, one did not show what was described.

Moreover the rider gave alternative explanations for the picture content – which the Tribunal largely accepted. For example, he claimed a horse’s head was tied briefly to its forelegs to avoid use of sedation or twitch for mane-pulling; it was not a punishment.

He was also given considerable credit for fulsome expressions of remorse over the three 2024 incidents proved, which were hitting the horse seven times at the top of the neck, using the whip inappropriately on the shoulder and haunches, and using the reins “firmer than necessary” to ask the horse to bend and jabbing it in the mouth three times. He is only the second person in a Tribunal abuse case to say sorry; the first being Charlotte Dujardin in 2024. (Generally, riders vigorously defend their actions.)

The importance of witnesses in the Andrew McConnon case

Thus the McConnon case hung more on prosecution witnesses, much of whose testimony was disregarded due to ambiguities under cross-examination.

There will, to me, always be understandable memory gaps over historic events. It is no surprise that a groom who was only 17 at the time, and likely in awe of her employer, would stumble over exactly who was present 11 years ago for the alleged administration of anti-inflammatories to conceal abuse from a horse’s owner. This type of “wobble” when challenged by an experienced defence attorney can often negate the witness’s entire testimony, with no recognition that at least some of it occurred.

The same lack of weight was afforded to McConnon’s neighbour, who claimed to have watched a prolonged spate of abuse from her property. She said McConnon “unleashed” his whip on horse, getting it into such a state that it flailed around in a “drunken waltz”; but she later was found not to be able to see everything described from her vantage point. This undermined her account of the entire incident.

Horse abuse is defined under FEI General Regulations Art 142 as “an action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse.” It may be noted that the singular is used – “an action” – and that pain does not have to be proved.

There is nothing in Art 142 to suggest that abuse must be repeated or sustained to be an offence. Indeed, riders who whipped or violently kicked a horse in a single short outburst were handed significant sanctions in several cases before the pandemic. Some were cited in the McConnon decision. This included one case protested by me, against an endurance rider who whacked a horse twice at the top of the neck with a full plastic slosh bottle, with video evidence simply drawn from the official livestream of the race; he was banned for six months. None were deemed comparable to the McConnon allegations.

How Tribunal abuse decisions have shifted over time

Those reading all Tribunal abuse decisions chronologically may notice a few subtle shifts in its approach over time: we can speculate, albeit speciously, whether McConnon might have been suspended for longer if disciplined five or six years ago.

Tribunal seems more cautious nowadays, having accumulated a sizeable cache of “case law” (ie, precedent) on horse abuse since 2014. Before then, its work mostly related to doping, interpretation of sport rules or last-minute disputes over Olympic qualifications.

The Tribunal may also be more sensitive to potential appeals. In 2021 there was a devastating setback for the FEI when its record 20-year ban on an endurance rider was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Regarding McConnon, Tribunal said: “the more serious the allegation and its consequences, the higher certainty (level of proof) the Panel requires to be comfortably satisfied.” It also referenced CAS’s ruling that sanctions must be proportionate and “must not exceed what is reasonably required in the search of a justifiable aim”.

But are sport rules the correct way to handle the equine equivalent of assault on a human, that might even mean jail when prosecuted by law enforcement? The horse is a truly awkward fit in the gamut of sport law.

Separate animal protection laws barely figure in current discussions. In any event, they differ widely in FEI member countries. Even in the UK they are generally more focussed on the neglect or starvation of leisure horses and ponies. The notion that things may be badly wrong in an elite equestrian yard or racing stable is generally off the police or RSPCA radar; they too would need witness corroboration.

Notably, in Switzerland, equestrian authorities were relieved when police took up the abuse case against showjumper Paul Estermann; once convicted, this gave the Swiss equestrian federation irrefutable grounds to ban him immediately for seven years. But this happens rarely.

A “flawed” procedure for dealing with horse abuse

The Editor asked me to consider what might have been done better in the McConnon case. Having reported on FEI disciplinary proceedings over 40 years, and had direct involvement in bringing four abuse allegations to Tribunal, I have thought about this a lot. My conclusion is that the procedure itself is flawed.

For sure the FEI witnesses were not as robust as some. There was albeit understandable prior discussion between some of them, which fed the defence’s argument of collusion to bring McConnon down; more photographic evidence would have supported their case. But the alternative would have been concentrating on the three incidents from early 2024 – or dropping the case entirely. Doing nothing would have resulted in more reputational damage for equestrianism at this critical time.

The current system for disciplining out of competition abuse tries to shoehorn a criminal court-style legal process into the functions of a sporting regulatory body with limited resources to investigate anything, never mind what goes on behind closed doors. The FEI is not the police; it cannot enter private premises; it cannot sequester documents, CCTV footage, phones, devices, emails or social media accounts; it cannot compel anyone to testify.

Worse still, the victim – the horse – cannot speak and thus a third party must try on its behalf – often someone young and afraid to confront their boss. (In an alleged incident from 2019 in the McConnon case, an experienced vet decided not to report concerning whip marks, hoping someone else would do so.) Younger staff members may think abusive treatment is quite normal until discussing it much later with others.

It is hopelessly unrealistic to expect anyone to video riders at close quarters 24-7 in the expectation they will err, but this is in effect required for successful prosecution of out of competition abuse. (On the field of play, official livestream footage when available ticks the “authenticity” box and has generally sufficed.)

Those brave enough to try inevitably end up filming covertly, from long distance. Matters of identification then arise, and exactly what happened is difficult to pick out. Witnesses must also be prepared for tough interrogation from the rider’s defence team. I have been there; it is not for the faint-hearted!

What is the solution?

I do not know the solution – but one must be found. It may not help short term, but I believe anything related to welfare and horse abuse should be re-worked into a new and extended welfare and abuse section in FEI General Regulations, and applied uniformly on the field of play in all sports. Quentin Simonet, new president of the European Equestrian Federation recently proposed a similar move.

More effective jurisdiction over out of competition abuse may be a challenge too far. The FEI has asked all member federations to align their horse abuse rules and processes with the FEI’s by 1 January, 2027, which may mean handling more of these complex cases themselves instead of referring them to the FEI. How a modestly-resourced national governing body will fare remains to be seen.

How to report horse abuse

Under FEI rules, there is no statute of limitations in reporting abuse, though the sooner the better. The FEI has a new abuse online portal, the FEI Reporting Hub, but you can still email the FEI secretary-general with allegations and evidence.

Anything witnessed at an FEI event, at a national show or away from competition involving a FEI registered person: report to FEI and copy to the national federation as back-up, ie British Equestrian (BEF.)

Anything witnessed at a national show or away from competition involving a non-FEI registered person: report to that national governing body and copy to BEF.

Express concerns to officials on the day, but don’t assume they will follow up; go ahead with written complaints as above. Even if you want to think about reporting an incident for a few days, write down your detailed account while it is fresh; more weight is given to contemporaneous notes.

Include:

• Your full contact details, and those of other potential witnesses.

• Detailed written account of what happened in exact order, giving dates, time and locations. If you know your sport rules, cite those allegedly breached, and explain why this constitutes abuse.

• Some cases stall due to difficulty confirming identity. Don’t leave it to the governing body to do this. Supply the rider’s registration number if you can find it (FEI database is publicly available) and include (if at a show) a running order to prove they were present.

• Video and still images from any device are acceptable to FEI. They like extracts from official livestreams where feasible. Video back-up with still images from the same incident in high resolution are the ideal. An interrupted sequence of still photos with no corresponding video may be interpreted as a “moment in time” or met with accusations of photoshopping.

• Imagery must clearly show the accused rider actually committing the offence. Separate images of the horse showing injuries or other aftermath, are important – but as stand-alone items, they are not evidence. Neither are images shot from behind, or with the rider’s face or any other identifying features pixilated. Capturing the number worn by horse/rider is also useful.

• Ensure date and time are encrypted in digital images.

• Resist the temptation to post on social media.

• You may request anonymity – but be aware that a FEI Tribunal case may ultimately rely on your willingness to testify in person.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Rider guilty of horse abuse shows ‘sincere remorse’ as much evidence against him discredited

How horse abuse is penalised in sport – and the challenges of bringing a case before the FEI Tribunal

Cesar Parra was ‘indifferent to horses’ suffering’ – full report on banned Olympic rider who abused horses for years

Former Olympic rider Cesar Parra suspended for 15 years in ‘deeply unsettling’ horse abuse case

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Former Olympic dressage rider Cesar Parra has been suspended for 15 years for repeatedly abusing multiple horses in his care in a “deeply unsettling case”.

The FEI Tribunal has announced today (6 August) that US rider Parra, 62, has been sanctioned for “actions violating the principles of horse welfare”. He had been provisionally suspended since February last year; H&H reported at the time that US Equestrian (USEF) had been sent video clips “documenting [Parra’s] abhorrent abusive training techniques” at his private training yard in Florida.

“US Equestrian had received multiple allegations along with numerous videos and photographs showing Parra engaging in abusive behaviour and training methods involving several horses,” an FEI spokesperson said.

“The FEI, in coordination with US Equestrian, launched an immediate investigation into the allegations that Parra had repeatedly and deliberately subjected the majority, if not all, of the horses he owned and trained to recurring and serious abuse over a number of years.”

The long-running investigation involved reviewing “extensive video and photographic material”, and statements from multiple witnesses. The FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against Parra in May 2024 on three charges: 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 only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affected,” said FEI legal director Mikael Rentsch.

“That such behaviour came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport.

“The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified. The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”

Cesar Parra represented Colombia at the 1999 Pan American Games, the 2004 Olympics and the 2002 and 2006 World Equestrian Games. He switched nationalities in 2008 and competed for the US at the 2011 Pan American Games.

Rule change

A USEF spokesperson said that when the federation received the complaints about Parra in early 2024, it did not have a rule allowing it to take action on welfare issues outside sanctioned competitions. It referred the case to the FEI, which did have such a rule, and has since passed a change expanding its jurisdiction to “unethical treatment that occurs on or off the grounds of a federation competition”.

“As a federation, we have strengthened our rules to ensure we are within our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary action for behaviour and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney. “Parra’s documented and repeated behavior has no place in our sport, and we will ensure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s decision. We appreciate the FEI’s diligence and expertise in pursuing this matter.”

The FEI said Parra’s suspension, from all national and international competition, related activity or training of FEI-registered riders or horses until 1 February 2039, is part of “one of the most significant sanctions issued by the FEI Tribunal”. He has also been fined CHF 15,000 (£13,947) and ordered to pay CHF 10,000 in legal costs.

H&H has contacted Parra.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘Abhorrent and abusive training techniques’: former Olympic rider suspended from all competition

How horse abuse is penalised in sport – and the challenges of bringing a case before the FEI Tribunal

‘There is no place in our sport for abuse’: rules to be strengthened after ‘abhorrent’ training videos

‘The whole world has witnessed terrible cruelty’: open letter to the FEI describes abuse in dressage as ‘a wake-up’ call

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

US five-star rider Andrew McConnon has been provisionally suspended by the FEI following allegations of horse abuse.

Today (9 January) the FEI said it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Andrew following allegations involving “numerous horses over an extensive period of time”.

In September H&H reported that USEF had passed relevant reports and materials regarding alleged horse abuse to the FEI – and at the time the FEI confirmed it was investigating but could not provide any further information.

The FEI case status table, updated today, cites violations of the general regulations: abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport into disrepute, and breach of the FEI code of conduct on the welfare of the horse as reasons for the suspension.

“Mr McConnon has been provisionally suspended, effective from the date of notification (8 January 2025), meaning that he is suspended from participation in any events or activities related to the FEI and/or any national federation, in whatever capacity, as long as his provisional suspension has not been lifted by the FEI Tribunal,” said an FEI spokesperson, adding that “for the avoidance of any doubt”, training FEI athletes and or FEI horses – at FEI events or anywhere else – is considered an FEI-related activity.

“Persons are entitled to train their own horses at their own facilities or at private facilities (i.e. not linked to any FEI or national events/trainings’ facilities).”

The FEI spokesperson said that to “ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings”, no further comment will be made.

A US Eventing Association (USEA) spokesperson said the organisation will be issuing a “reciprocal suspension” pending the final outcome of the FEI investigation.

“We support the decision made by the FEI to thoroughly investigate this matter and the USEA will continue to cooperate with both US Equestrian and the FEI, the governing bodies that hold responsibility for investigations and disciplinary proceedings under the rules of our sport,” said USEA chief executive Rob Burke.

The USEA spokesperson added that “matters such as these require time to fully investigate” and USEA will provide updates as they become available.

Last year Andrew finished 17th at the Kentucky Three-Day CCI5* with Wakita 54 and 23rd on Ferrie’s Cello. He and Wakita 54 were 17th at Burghley 2024.

H&H has attempted to contact Andrew for comment.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Five-star rider under investigation after ‘abusive behaviours’ caught on video

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The US equestrian federation has updated its rules around horse abuse following “unacceptable situations” – as it stresses “good horsemanship and a positive image of our sport is of critical importance”, now more than ever.

From 1 December, US Equestrian (USEF) rule GR838, which applies to abuse and neglect of a horse on competition grounds, will replace the phrase “cruelty to and abuse of a horse” with “unethical treatment of a horse”. The revised rule applies “anywhere, regardless of whether the unethical treatment is in connection to or occurring at a USEF-licensed or endorsed competition”.

Behaviours that fall under the rule include – but are not limited to – excessive use or misuse of the whip, spur or bit, misuse of any equipment or device including tack, any practice or use of devices or objects to enhance a horse’s performance based on fear or intimidation, and training, riding or competing a horse with raw, bleeding, or irritated skin consistent with excessive, persistent or inappropriate equipment. Penalties include fines, suspension, expulsion or permanent ineligibility.

The amendment was based on USEF member feedback and conversations during the federation’s annual convention, and “more accurately reflects USEF’s role as guardian of both sport and our horses”.

A federation spokesperson said “at USEF, we fully believe that the care and welfare of horses, both inside and outside of the competition arena, must be held to the highest standards and levels of ethical behaviour”.

“Good horsemanship and a positive image of our sport is, now more than ever before, of critical importance to our social licence to continue to operate our sport. It is the duty of each one of us to do our utmost to preserve and safeguard the integrity of our sport,” he said.

“Individuals who engage in unethical treatment of horses — regardless of location — are compromising the integrity of our sport and endangering its viability, sustainability and public perception at a time when all equestrian sport, including USEF-governed breeds and disciplines, is under increasing scrutiny.”

The spokesperson added that “situations such as those that have come to light recently via social media are unacceptable”.

“USEF has heard your concerns and appreciates the courage it takes to report alleged incidents of cruelty to and abuse of our equine partners,” he said.

“We understand and share your frustration that, in many instances, we could not act on incidents that occurred outside of the competition environment.”

Although the rule applies anywhere, the spokesperson said this does not mean USEF will be visiting private properties – and so the federation “continues to rely” on people reporting incidents.

“Once a report is received, USEF will work diligently to interview witnesses with personal knowledge and authenticate any photographs, videos or other physical evidence related to the alleged incident,” the spokesperson said, adding that “this takes time” and that all allegations are taken seriously.

“While we are eager to hold wrongdoers accountable, fairness and the integrity of the process dictate that they have the opportunity to be heard and offer evidence in response.”

The spokesperson added that “the time has come for the USEF community to strengthen our existing leadership on this issue for the betterment of horses and equestrian sport”.

“This also means that each of us must model exemplary behaviour at all times. We believe the revisions to GR838, coupled with the existing process and procedures, protect both our horses and our members,” he said.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How horse abuse is penalised in sport – and the challenges of bringing a case before the FEI Tribunal

‘There is no place in our sport for abuse’: rules to be strengthened after ‘abhorrent’ training videos

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In this exclusive article for H&H subscribers, equestrian journalist Pippa Cuckson attempts to unravel the disciplinary procedures that apply to horse abuse in equestrian sport and answer some of the most common questions that fans ask

Why was Charlotte Dujardin promptly suspended for the lunge-whipping video when other riders under investigation for horse abuse continue to compete? Why do some riders merely receive a yellow warning card when others are banned for years? Why does the international equestrian federation (FEI) appear to do nothing when people send in complaints? These questions appear on social media – and in journalists’ mailboxes – with increasing frequency as the challenge to equestrianism’s social licence grows.

The handling of horse abuse by equestrian regulatory bodies is complex; even media who follow the tribunal system closely find it baffling. In this article we attempt to unravel the disciplinary procedures that apply to horse abuse in sport.

FEI General Regulations (GRs) apply to all FEI-regulated sports. Each has bespoke rules but must follow GR Article 142, which defines horse abuse as “an action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse.

“This includes, but is not limited to any of the following: To whip or beat a Horse excessively; To subject a Horse to any kind of electric shock device; To use spurs excessively or persistently; To jab the Horse in the mouth with the bit or any other device; To compete using an exhausted, lame or injured Horse; To rap a Horse; To abnormally sensitise or desensitise any part of a Horse; To leave a Horse without adequate food, drink or exercise; To use any device or equipment which causes excessive pain to the Horse upon knocking down an obstacle.”

The absence of hyperflexion

Rollkür, aka hyperflexion, (to be discussed in a future H&H subscriber feature), is not mentioned in Article 142, and so far is unsanctioned in FEI dressage, despite being a banned technique and one of the sport’s hottest topics.

Yellow cards for hyperflexion have been handed down twice in two months in eventing dressage warm-ups, including at the Paris Olympic Games where the FEI said British-based Brazilian Carlos Parro caused his horse “unnecessary discomfort.”

Does “unnecessary discomfort” imply that some discomfort is “necessary”? A FEI spokesperson said Article 142 may be re-worded next year. It is also worth noting that the FEI Tribunal has previously decided that pain need not be proved in order for abuse to have occured.

How international riders can be penalised

The FEI encourages national federations to handle their own riders’ abuse cases where they have adequate powers, especially when language is an issue. Any resulting rider suspension is mirrored by the FEI.

There are three main ways that abuse is penalised in FEI sport.

At a competition – usually referred to in legal documents as the “field of play” – the ground jury and other officials can give a yellow warning card as a minimum, most commonly due to excessive use of the whip or spurs in the jumping disciplines. In FEI endurance, a yellow card for abuse is coupled with automatic disqualification. In all other disciplines, a yellow-carded rider may remain in the competition. Two yellow cards for any reason in 12 months trigger an automatic two-month suspension.

A yellow card cannot be refused because the judges’ decision is final, even if later found to be wrong. The inviolability of the ground jury is a key principle of sport law, upheld many times by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) – the court of last resort.

How yellow cards are used in different horse sports

FEI sports have varying approaches to warning cards, which can add to the confusion.

Eventing, for instance, regards some but not all instances of blood as abuse and will give riders yellow cards accordingly. It hands down more yellow cards and the lower category recorded warnings than all other FEI sports combined – partly to address incidents such as “dangerous riding”, which is not penalised through the scoring system. In simple terms, the lengthier athletic effort of eventing and permission to carry whips creates more opportunities for incidents to escalate into abuse. Eventing also has a bespoke, automatic two-month ban for any rider receiving three warnings in 24 months.

Dressage, at the other extreme, has issued only six yellow cards in 12 months – two for non-specified abuse. But unlike eventing and jumping, dressage does not list its other warned riders on a public platform. FEI chief vet Goran Akerstrom has informally confirmed that several were warned over “blue tongues” at Paris, but they remain un-named.

There is no hint that a one-size-fits-all policy will be introduced any time soon.

When stronger punishment is deemed necessary

The second method of penalising riders is the Administrative Disciplinary Procedure (ADP), mostly used when a FEI ground jury think a stronger punishment is required. The ADP is a type of fixed-penalty, handled by the FEI legal department in Lausanne, Switzerland, with fines up to 2,000 Swiss francs and/or a suspension of three months. This past year there have been eight ADP abuse cases – all from show jumping and endurance, which the FEI attributes to those sports having the most participants.

In anti-doping cases, the FEI is making increasing use of the “Consent Award”, a plea-bargain system offering a reduced suspension for prompt admission. This has yet to be utilised for horse abuse.

Which cases go to a tribunal?

The third tried and tested method is for the most egregious abuse, or when the rider wishes to be heard – referral to the FEI’s independent tribunal.

The tribunal is an elected panel of equestrians with distinguished legal backgrounds. Past and present members have included Christopher Hodson KC, former FEI vice president and Judge Advocate General of the New Zealand Armed Forces; and the dressage judge Cesar Torrente, a veteran arbitration lawyer in Colombia.

In the past two decades, tribunal has handled 20 serious horse abuse cases. Sometimes it decides via extensive written representations. When a rider requests an in-person hearing, it is conducted like a trial.

But the tribunal is where things get time-consuming. While a ground jury can yellow-card a rider on the spot, at the tribunal the process turns on its head and the “burden of proof” falls on the accuser.

What happens at tribunal?

When the FEI legal department prosecutes at tribunal, it must first conduct an investigation – limited in scope, because the FEI is not the police.

A spokesperson explained: “Horse abuse cases tend to be rather complex and usually involve the FEI in undertaking an initial investigation. In the absence of clear video/photographic evidence that confirms absolutely the abuse, witness evidence is important. Contacting witnesses, securing their agreement to come forward and obtaining witness statements can be a lengthy process for both the FEI and the defendant.”

The rider’s lawyers can also employ delaying tactics – although the FEI said it was not in its interests to give examples.

This “burden of proof” also falls on members of the public who protest abuse to the FEI. Even if a “whistleblower” does not fear reprisals, the paperwork and evidence-gathering involved can be a deterrent. I have undertaken a few past protests myself; while the FEI legal department gives support, it is a big “ask” to prepare evidence and even cross-examine a lawyered-up rider when you have no legal training.

Not surprisingly, only half a dozen individuals have attempted this in the past decade, though all “won”, with the accused riders suspended for up to two-and-a-half years.

Why so few cases go to tribunal

Though video clips of alleged abuse are shared online frequently, both the FEI and the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) receive considerably fewer complaints than those on social media platforms tend to assume. A BEF spokesperson said progress can be handicapped by “insufficient evidence, no clear video/photographs, insufficient witness statements and inability to build a strong case as a result, and complainants unwilling to go ‘on the record.’

“Sometimes it’s down to the reach of our member bodies’ jurisdiction. We have limited investigative powers outside of competition, and even more so where the parties are not members of any member body.”

It could also be said that the FEI is not great at communicating with protestors. The prominent anti-hyperflexion campaigner Dr Eva van Avermaet submitted several protests to the FEI for alleged abuse during the Paris Olympics, but received no acknowledgement for a month – and then only after Swedish newspaper Idraetsmonitor intervened. H&H is also in touch with the key witness in another case under long-term FEI investigation – she has not heard from the FEI since July.

Pauline van Drumpt of Clean Endurance is the only non-lawyer to have defended a rider’s appeal against suspension for horse abuse at CAS. She thinks the FEI could do more to encourage and assist complainants. She noted one solid case from an endurance race in France that was disregarded because the protestor’s initial presentation was insufficient.

“If the FEI came up with even a one-page instruction manual for submitting an abuse protest, people would have some framework to work with – it could include confirmation of the rider’s identity, [competitor] numbers, photographs, a clear description of what happened and names and contact details of any witnesses.

“For the average person, even if they know the rules, it’s very difficult to write a proper abuse protest. Ideally, people could contact the legal department with pictures and witness statements and the FEI would write it up for them. Horse abuse will be a bigger part of FEI activity – it’s time for them to step up.”

Which governing bodies can sanction what and where?

Abuse is the one thing the FEI can sanction out of competition – if the accused was registered with the FEI or a member national federation at the time. An allegation against an Olympian was once dismissed because he had recently retired from competing and, while still working in the industry, had not renewed his FEI credentials.

Very few national federations have out-of-competition powers, though the FEI is encouraging them where feasible and developing “model rules”.

Denmark already has them, so is handling the Carina Cassøe Krüth whipping case itself. The Cesar Parra allegations prompted the US Equestrian Federation to adopt them, from 1 December. These new provisions still rely on whistleblowers to report abuse, and stop short of allowing USEF officials to enter private premises unannounced. They also cannot be applied retroactively – so Parra and the more recent allegations against US eventer Andrew McConnon had to be referred to the FEI.

The BEF is keenly watching the US initiative. A spokesperson said: “We have a Code of Conduct and rules that apply where riders are registered to compete under the FEI. But the concept of ‘out of competition’ activity is not simple. The BEF is currently working on introducing a steering group to look at this key area and wider welfare and ethics considerations; we hope to release details very soon.”

What is a provisional suspension?

Charlotte Dujardin owned-up to an “error of judgement” in her public statement on 23 July, and agreed to an immediate “provisional suspension”. Contrary to popular belief, this is not Dujardin’s formal punishment – a provisional suspension means standing down a rider while the legal process takes its course. It can be credited as “time served” against any “period of ineligibility” – also confusingly known colloquially as a suspension – that Dujardin may receive when her sanction is finally decided.

But while the FEI prefers to impose immediate provisional suspensions upon receiving very serious abuse complaints, it is risky when the initial evidence is sketchy. Unlike Dujardin, other accused riders usually deny the abuse; two successfully appealed to CAS and got their provisional suspensions lifted while the process lumbers on.

Indeed, back in 2009 Tribunal found against the FEI, deciding that provisional suspensions did not exist within the legal framework for abuse. The FEI had sought a three-week provisional ban on German showjumper Marco Kutscher while he was investigated over the medication of Cornet Obolensky during the team competition at the 2008 Olympic Games. The horse was reported to have collapsed against his stable wall, after which Kutscher jumped him in the second round.

Why a rider might not be suspended pending investigation

Charles Trolliet, a veterinarian and former president of the Swiss Equestrian Federation, retains reservations over the validity of provisional suspensions. In 2017, the Swiss Olympian Paul Estermann was accused of violently whipping a horse at home. This dragged slowly through the Swiss courts before Estermann was finally convicted of animal cruelty in December 2022, after which the Swiss federation banned him for seven years.

“All the while, we were asked why we hadn’t suspended him,” said Dr Trolliet. “The answer was clear: if we suspended him, it would mean we had judged without evidence and, for a professional rider, that would be tantamount to a ban on practising his profession. And if, in the end, he was found not guilty he could claim damages. Given that the legal proceedings lasted four-and-a-half years, you can imagine how much that could be!

“As he was finally found guilty and sentenced by the courts, our national federation was able to take internal measures and suspend him – but only after the final criminal judgement.”

Like the Swiss, the FEI will pause a case if criminal or civil courts become involved. A FEI spokesperson added: “The fact that a criminal proceeding does not result in a case/conviction does not necessarily mean the FEI would not go ahead with its own case. The standard of proof in criminal cases (beyond reasonable doubt) is higher than under the FEI’s rules (comfortable satisfaction). The conduct might not have breached any criminal law but might still be a breach of a FEI rule.”

How does the FEI Tribunal decide how long a rider will be suspended?

Punishment for horse abuse can vary widely, depending on the Tribunal’s assessment of severity, whether it was a “one-off”, and whether to make an example of a role model. Historically, Tribunal has been unimpressed by whistleblower-shaming, absence of remorse, and bizarre excuses – in 2021 it admonished Leandro da Silva who said he manhandled his daughter’s tiny pony because it bit her.

The FEI legal team will recommend sanctions, but the Tribunal need not comply. FEI legal initially suggested a three-year ban for US showjumper Andrew Kocher, who used electric shock spurs on several horses over at least two seasons. However, Tribunal gave him 10 years – upheld on appeal by CAS.

The longest ever ban was 18 years, to an endurance rider. He said he was giving up anyway, but then appealed to CAS who overturned the entire decision, a huge setback for the FEI. This case centred on alleged desensitisation, but failed evidentially and because CAS decided the horse’s fatal fracture during the race was unforseeable, underlining the necessity for a watertight case.

For guidance, the FEI has a range of sanctions from “low end” to “maximum,” the latter allowing for a life ban – as yet never handed down. Pauline van Drumpt finds this wording clumsy and wishes the FEI would revisit. “From a marketing and communications perspective, you can’t talk about low level abuse,” she said. “Horse abuse is horse abuse.”

What happens when an allegation is “historic?”

Horse abuse is the only offence not time-limited under FEI rules, as provided in GRs Article 157. The oldest evidence accepted to date by Tribunal went back three years. This could make Dujardin’s case, from 2020, the most “historic” to date.

Another unusual facet is that Dujardin’s legal counsel, Dutch equine lawyer Luc Schelstraete, and Stephan Wensing for the whistleblower have already floated strategies in public.

Mr Schelstraete points to the contradiction to FEI GR 157 – abuse must be reported “without delay” under Article 161.

“When the complaining client finds animal welfare so important, it is incomprehensible why they wait so long to file complaints. Moreover, they are also required to promptly report alleged cases of Horse Abuse,” he said.

“This obligation to file a protest ‘without delay’ is precisely aimed at preventing animal suffering. Failure by the complaining client to comply …. in a timely manner may result in the alleged complaint of horse abuse against Charlotte Dujardin being declared inadmissible or the sanctions to be imposed remaining limited.”

Previously, Tribunal has interpreted “without delay” as meaning the moment the whistleblower became aware of the alleged abuse – not necessarily the date it occurred. However, Mr Wensing has already briefed media that his client held the incriminating video for some while before reporting it on the eve of Paris, feeling it inappropriate Dujardin could win more medals.

The Tribunal’s reaction to those statements may affect any future whistleblower’s decision to hoard evidence. The FEI legal department, not surprisingly, declined to comment on these aspects while the Dujardin case is ongoing.

Why context of videos is key

H&H columnist Richard Davison is equine adviser to several law firms and currently studying for a Masters in sport law and practice. As a Trustee of World Horse Welfare, if asked he will offer basic advice to riders accused of abuse, but then directs them to a lawyer.

He told H&H: “Contrary to what people believe, it is not always an advantage to have an aggressive advocate. We have all read those Tribunal decisions where a lawyer has run a highly implausible defense and that probably has not helped when it comes to the Disciplinary Panel’s choice of sanctions.

“Where a rider’s conduct is genuinely out of character, it is important to explore genuine mitigations which could have accounted for their action and to not rush into making a public personal statement.”

He has a solid grasp of the disconnect between what critics believe regulators should do, and what regulators can do.

“It is probably time for more transparency and clarity as to what determines abuse,” he said. “For example, I saw some videos alleging rider abuse during two transitions from canter to walk during a jumping session. In the first the horse clearly overreacted and it was too abrupt; the second was better. But no other parts of the training session were provided on video, so it’s impossible to know how it progressed and the causality of the first abrupt transition.

“That’s why disciplinary procedures involve evidence gathering and statements from witnesses of fact. There are some prima facie cases of abuse that stand on their own. But there is an ever-increasing amount of finger-pointing, which is not supported by evidence and would not meet the FEI’s standard of proof of reaching the threshold of the comfortable satisfaction of the Tribunal.”

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Swedish European medal-winning showjumper Douglas Lindelöw has denied allegations of mistreating horses, as he has been suspended from national team activities and international competition – and reported to the police.

On Monday (11 March) Swedish publication Aftonbladet reported that an elite showjumper “abuses and punishes horses after poor results”, and that five grooms had come forward with allegations of mistreatment.

At the time the rider had not been publicly named, and on Tuesday in a statement a spokesman for the Swedish equestrian federation stated that “a rider belonging to one of the jumping squads will take a break from all national team-related activities” – and that the federation were taking the information “extremely seriously”. The spokesman, who added that the rider “does not belong to the championship squad”, said the decision was “not currently a disciplinary measure, but a pause during further review”.

In a further statement on Wednesday the spokesman said the federation had been in contact with “several people who testify to an action that could indicate a crime” – and that the rider in question had been reported to the police.

“In the last 24 hours, we have been in contact with a number of people who have experience with the rider. What they tell us means that we cannot rule out crime in the handling of horses and that means we choose to report it to the police. If a crime is suspected, it is always important to let the police investigate,” said Johan Fyrberg, the Swedish equestrian federation’s secretary general.

Mr Fyrberg added that as of Wednesday (13 March) the federation will not sanction international competition for the rider “for the time being”.

“Our sport must be characterised by joy and love for the horses. Therefore, there are many of us in equestrian Sweden who today are extremely sad, angry and frustrated by the stories and pictures we have been exposed to. There is nothing that belongs in equestrian sports,” he said.

Today (Friday 15 March) Douglas Lindelöw issued a statement denying the allegations.

“I wish to address the serious allegations that have been made against me and the operations I oversee, as reported in the media. I fully recognise the gravity of the situation but firmly refute the accusations of horse mismanagement. While I am certainly not infallible, I maintain that our care and training of horses are conducted with utmost respect and in compliance with established norms and regulations,” he said.

“In light of the recent allegations, we are of course prepared to fully cooperate with any potential investigations or inquiries – which we welcome. We are open to implementing further measures to ensure and enhance the welfare of our animals if necessary. This has been confirmed by inspections by authorities over the years. Just this week, I initiated an independent veterinary examination of all the horses. The result: No remarks.”

Douglas added that he “urges the Swedish equestrian federation to initiate a broader review of the industry in Sweden as concerns are occasionally raised about horses being pushed too hard and improper methods being used”.

“It is in everyone’s interest to thoroughly investigate these concerns,” he said.

Douglas made his senior team debut at the 2015 European Championships, having won medals at youth level. He was on the team that took silver at the 2017 Europeans on Zacramento. He has ridden at three World Cup finals. In 2021 he was part of the Swedish team that placed fourth at the Europeans.

Today the spokesman for the Swedish Equestrian Federation told H&H that “the fact that the rider says he wants to participate in any investigation is good and we welcome that”.

“For us however, it does not change anything. The ongoing process continues according to plan.”

An FEI spokesman said the allegations are “very disturbing” and that the alleged behaviour has “no place in equestrian sport”.

“The FEI is in close contact with the Swedish national federation and the federation has undertaken to the FEI that it will not enter the athlete in FEI competitions while the matter is under investigation,” he said.

“Further to that undertaking, the FEI has not deemed it necessary to issue a provisional suspension at this stage but we are monitoring the situation closely.”

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United States Equestrian (USEF) is proposing to strengthen its rules to cover horse abuse outside competition, and mandate reporting of such incidents.

USEF released an extraordinary proposed rule change days after it emerged that US rider Cesar Parra was being investigated in relation to videos of what USEF described as “abhorrent abusive training techniques”.

The federation said one proposed change, submitted in September, had the intention of “increasing the scope of jurisdiction of USEF to pursue investigation and disciplinary action for reported horse abuse occurring outside of the competition environment”.

The extraordinary change “is intended to increase the scope of jurisdiction for equine abuse, further define actions that are considered equine abuse, require mandatory reporting of equine abuse, and amplify the ability for competition management and licensed officials to impose disciplinary actions during a competition for matters of equine abuse”.

The proposal states: “Vital to the continued success of a partnership between equestrian athletes and their horses is the respect and wellbeing of the horses. There is no place in equestrian sport for abuse towards our equine partners.”

It adds that “distasteful” videos and pictures shared on social media have made people “question how our horses are cared for in our sport”, adding: “In an effort to protect our sport, and our horses, we need to act now.”

The rule change, which would apply from 1 January 2024, would mean USEF could take disciplinary action against anyone who abuses a horse at any time, or in any place, adding that enforcement would be based on USEF members who witness abuse.

Read the full proposal

The rule adds to the definitions of what constitutes abuse, and also states that those who witness it must report it, to officials if at a competition, or to USEF. It would allow officials to take “swift action”, such as issuing a written warning or eliminating a combination, if abuse occurs at a competition.

A USEF spokesman told H&H the timing of the proposal should allow plenty of opportunity for member and stakeholder feedback.

“Social licence is a vitally important issue for our industry, and further oversight of training practices outside of competition has been an important topic under consideration,” she said. “The Cesar Parra concerns are an example of why this is an important issue to address.

“USEF takes horse abuse very seriously. Horses are our trusted partners in sport and in life. The goal of the extraordinary rule change is to ensure that USEF has broader oversight of horse welfare outside of competition.”

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Swiss showjumper Paul Estermann has been banned for seven years after he was found guilty of animal cruelty charges relating to his Olympic and European Championship rides.

In January H&H reported that the Swiss equestrian federation (SVPS) had applied for a provisional suspension of 60-year-old Mr Estermann after he was found guilty of animal cruelty charges against Castlefield Eclipse and Lord Pepsi.

Mr Estermann rode Castlefield Eclipse at the London 2012 Olympics, where the team were fourth and he was 17th individually. The combination were also part of the team for the 2013 Europeans and the 2014 World Equestrian Games, and the bronze medal-winning squad at the 2015 Europeans. Mr Estermann rode Lord Pepsi at the 2019 Europeans, and the 2015 Nations Cup and 2018 World Cup finals.

Legal proceedings were launched against Mr Estermann in 2017, and in 2019 SVPS announced he had been found guilty by Willisau District Court of violating the Animal Welfare Act.

During an appeal hearing at the Cantonal Court of Lucerne in January 2021, Mr Estermann was acquitted of two incidents involving Lord Pepsi between 2014 and 2017. But the court found him guilty of multiple counts of “wilful animal cruelty” against Castlefield Eclipse on 28 April 2016 and around a week beforehand, and against Lord Pepsi in the autumn of 2015.

The case was then taken to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, and in March 2022 Mr Estermann’s appeal was “partially admitted”. The judgement of the Cantonal Court was annulled and it was sent for new assessment. In December 2022 Mr Estermann was again found guilty by the Lucerne Cantonal Court.

In January the SVPS board asked the SVPS sanctions commission (SAKO) to provisionally suspend Mr Estermann while an investigation took place. But on 24 February SAKO rejected this request, and said there was “no urgency”, as the outcome of its investigation was due in March.

In an SVPS statement yesterday (13 April) it was announced that during the SAKO investigation Mr Estermann was invited to a “voluntary survey”, but he decided not to.

“For SAKO, this underpins the behaviour of the rider, who showed no insight and no remorse for his actions throughout the criminal proceedings. This was also the case in the context of the SAKO procedure,” read the statement.

“After examining the files of the criminal proceedings, SAKO classifies the rider’s behaviour as absolutely unacceptable. He intentionally injured a horse moderately and caused him severe pain. The rider has thus defied the guidelines of the equestrian association. Such behaviour not only damages the image of equestrian sport, but also the reputation of the association.”

SAKO president Thomas Räber added that SAKO considers the “willful, selfish, and aggressive behaviour of the rider to be a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of the horse”.

Paul Estermann was banned from participating in national equestrian sport for seven years. He must also pay legal costs of 1,200 Swiss francs (£1,080). He has 20 days to appeal the decision.

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The Swiss equestrian federation has applied for a provisional suspension of Olympic showjumper Paul Estermann after he was found guilty of animal cruelty.

In 2017 legal proceedings were launched against 60-year-old Mr Estermann in relation to cruelty charges against horses Castlefield Eclipse and Lord Pepsi. After a number of appeals, in December 2022 Mr Estermann’s case was concluded and he was found guilty.

Mr Estermann rode Castlefield Eclipse at the London 2012 Olympics, where the team were fourth and he was 17th individually. The combination were also part of the team for the 2013 Europeans and the 2014 World Equestrian Games, and the bronze medal-winning squad at the 2015 Europeans. Mr Esterman rode Lord Pepsi at the 2019 Europeans, and the 2015 Nations Cup and 2018 World Cup finals.

In March 2017 the Swiss equestrian federation said Mr Estermann had informed the federation that investigations were taking place against him for suspected animal cruelty. Later that year the federation announced that Paul had withdrawn his interest in taking place at the 2017 Europeans, “in the interest of equestrian sport and in order not to burden the Swiss team”, while the investigations were ongoing.

Mr Estermann continued to compete nationally and internationally, and in 2019 returned to the Swiss team for the European Championships, with Lord Pepsi.

On 22 November 2019 the Swiss federation announced that Mr Estermann had been found guilty by the Willisau District Court of violating the Animal Welfare Act. Mr Estermann said he would appeal the decision, and the federation said the “presumption of innocence applies” while this was taking place. Despite filing his appeal, three days later Paul announced he would no longer compete for the Swiss team with immediate effect.

When the appeal was heard by the Cantonal Court of Lucerne in January 2021, Mr Estermann was acquitted of two incidents involving Lord Pepsi between 2014 and 2017. But the court found him guilty of multiple counts of “wilful animal cruelty” against Castlefield Eclipse on 28 April 2016 and around a week beforehand, and against Lord Pepsi in the autumn of 2015.

The case was taken to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, and in March 2022 Mr Estermann’s appeal was “partially admitted”. The judgement of the Cantonal Court was annulled and it was sent for new assessment. At the time the Swiss federation said, “as a result, there is still no final conviction and the presumption of innocence continues to apply”.

In December 2022 Mr Estermann was again found guilty by the Lucerne Cantonal Court. In a statement published on Monday (16 January) the Swiss federation said “according to its information”, the appeal period for the revised sentence expired on 13 January 2023, and “thus, the conviction of Paul Estermann for multiple intentional animal cruelty is now final.”

The federation said based on this background, the board had immediately applied to the federation’s sanctions commission for a provisional suspension of Mr Estermann, “as a matter of urgency”.

“Taking into account Paul Estermann’s right to a fair hearing, a decision on the temporary ban is expected in the next few weeks,” said a federation spokesman.

Owing to the ongoing procedure the federation said it will not provide any further information until a decision is made.

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An international showjumper who used hind boots with “sharp spikes” on a horse in a “clear case of abuse” has been banned for a year, in the first case of its kind.

Ukrainian rider Andre Schröder was competing 13-year-old gelding Allegro at the CSI* in Samorin, Slovakia (6–9 May). Before the grand prix, hind boot control was performed on all horses. When the rider’s groom handed Allegro’s left boot to the assistant chief steward, it was found to have sharp pressure points on the inside. The right boot had the same points.

Schröder was told the boots were prohibited, and may cause an abuse of horse offence owing to the “dangerous” pressure points, which would cause “excessive pain” and discomfort. The steward said Schröder argued that the boots were “OK”, and he had been allowed to jump in the ranking class using them. He claimed he had bought the boots with the points inside.

The chief steward said the boots contained sharp objects, which caused pain to his finger when he pushed on them. When he spoke to Schroder, the rider’s reaction was “very clear” that the boots were “a normal type of hind boots which he used in many competitions”.

Photographs showed 11 sharp pressure points, which would sit on the cannon bone, and if the horse hit a pole the points would cause excessive pain and discomfort.

The boots were investigated by the president of the ground jury, who confirmed there were holes on the inside of the boots and in each of the holes were “sharp spikes”.

The boots were returned to Schröder’s groom, following which Schröder claimed they were not his; he had found them on the way to the warm-up arena and used them “just to protect his horse”. Following his jumping round, according to the chief steward, Schröder stated the horse didn’t need the boots as he had “jumped well”.

Schröder was given a yellow warning card for abuse of the horse and on 8 June FEI disciplinary proceedings were opened against him. He replied to the FEI on 17 June and said when he got on Allegro that day, boots had not yet been put on. He asked his grooms to get boots and put them on – but said he did not look at the boots.

The FEI told the Tribunal that by using the boots Schröder engaged in abuse of the horse, an abusive training method that caused fear, and used the horse’s equipment to inflict pain and discomfort. It was claimed the location of the sharp points were “not coincidental” and horses’ distal limbs are particularly sensitive owing to the lack of soft tissue coverage.

An expert witness statement from FEI veterinary manager Gonçalo Paixão further explained limb sensitivity and said trauma of the skin and tissues will trigger an inflammatory response and acute pain.

The FEI added that to avoid pain caused by the boots, the horse will “over-jump”. The use of such boots presents an abusive method to make horses jump higher and more carefully with the intention of competitive advantage, and the “sole purpose” is to inflict pain on a horse in an attempt to force it to perform “abnormally”.

The FEI noted Schröder’s intentional use of the boots by his comment to the chief steward that his horse “doesn’t need these boots, he jumped well”, indicating he knew fully what effect the boots would have, and had Allegro knocked jumps down, he would have “needed” them to improve his performance.

On the day Schröder claimed to officials “with no remorse” he had used the boots many times. It was clear to the FEI the abuse was a recurring event that should be considered as an aggravating circumstance.

To determine sanctioning, the FEI reviewed previous case law regarding horse abuse, but confirmed Schröder’s case was the first case of abuse carried out with abusive hind boots.

In a decision issued on 29 September, the FEI Tribunal agreed it was Schröder’s decision to use the boots, but it was unclear how often he had used them. The Tribunal also agreed that Schröder’s claims he had never seen the boots, or did not know which ones the grooms put on, were false.

The ground jury was “applauded” for prompt sanctioning at the competition, but the Tribunal wanted to highlight that “additional appropriate action” could have taken place at the time. The Tribunal considers it “regrettable” the matter was not dealt with more severely on the ground, taking into account the seriousness of the violation and the sanctions available.

As well as issuing warnings and yellow cards, the ground jury may impose a fine of up to 2,000 Swiss francs (£1,588) and eliminate or disqualify a rider and/or horse.

The Tribunal said Schröder gave various, inconsistent explanations during the competition – and in his response of 17 June, which included a reference to personal difficulties with his partner which the Tribunal said were “irrelevant” and “no excuse”.

“The Tribunal considers the respondent’s behaviour amounts to an act of clear abuse of horse as well as the maltreatment of horses. Such behaviour also amounts to the most severe offences that can be committed in the context of equestrian sport. The Tribunal deems the respondent’s actions were deliberate as it was confirmed by the respondent the boots needed to be either purchased or home-made in advance,” read the decision.

“The respondent confirmed to officials, with no remorse, that he had used the boots already many times before in competition. Taking into account the respondent is an experienced rider who has been participating in the most high-profile competitions, he should be a role model and ensure compliance with the rules.”

The Tribunal suspended Schröder for 12 months, based on evidence and the mitigating circumstances; he had no disciplinary history and it was unclear how much he had used the boots. His results from the competition were disqualified, he was fined 5,000 Swiss francs (£3,971) and must pay 2,000 Swiss francs (£1,588) costs. He can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of the Tribunal’s decision.

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A charity that found a two-year-old filly battered, “burned” and dumped to die in a city centre has questioned how the perpetrators can sleep at night.

My Lovely Horse Rescue was called when gardai found the youngster in Cork, Ireland, on Sunday night (20 October).

Volunteers from the charity, along with gardai and a vet, made their way in the dark, through scrubland, until they found the collapsed filly.

Warning, graphic image of injured filly

“When the gardai rang me, I asked if we needed to bring the horsebox and he said he didn’t think so – that’s when I knew it was bad,” volunteer Kelly Metterick told H&H.

“We went through ditches and over old wooden pallets to some scrub ground, I looked down and had to take a breath. I had to process what I was looking at, I thought she was dead and this was one we were too late for.”

The filly was alive, just, but in such a bad state, there was no option but to put her down.

“We were taking it all in, by torchlight,” Kelly said. “She had all these sores, elongated and with the skin sloughing away.

“There were old ones as well as fresh; it wasn’t something that had just happened or from one incident.”

Kelly said the filly’s muzzle, eyes and much of both front legs was covered in what appeared to be burns; scabbing, sore areas, with very little hair and cracked, dead skin.

Warning, graphic image of injured filly

“And the crazy thing was, she had shoes on,” Kelly added. “Sometimes we get rescues who have been shod and overworked, with threadbare shoes, but these were like new.”

Kelly said that it can only be guessed what was done to the filly to cause her suffering.

“I don’t know what they could have done to her,” she said. “The sores look like shaft burns, over a long time, but those others on her muzzle and front legs – I don’t know.

“She was emaciated too – her hip was sticking out and there was a big sunken pit; there was nothing to her back end at all.

“How long she was down like that, I don’t know. There was faeces, and marks where she’d been struggling.

“She was two years old and I’d say she’d had no sort of normal existence, her whole existence would have been the height of abuse and neglect, and then dumped to die.

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“But how strong was her little heart, to keep fighting, to lift her head while her whole body was decaying.”

My Lovely Horse Resuce is appealing for anyone with information to contact gardai in Cork on (00353) 21 494 6200.

“This was in a built-up area, someone must have seen something,” Kelly said.

“Who are these people; what sort of society do we have where people can do this to her? To watch her suffer like that in front of you, drag her into a field in the dark and dump her to die, and then go back to your warm bed and sleep – how can you?”

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A four-time Olympic event rider was forced to withdraw from the European championships after the FEI suspended him for abusing a pony at a cross-country clinic.

Belgian rider Joris Vanspringel, 56, was accused of beating Sherwill Valerian hard enough to break a whip during a training session in South Africa in November 2018. 

The pony had repeatedly refused a fence with his 14-year-old rider, prompting the veteran eventer to offer to get on.

The junior rider told the tribunal that Joris borrowed her stick and spurs and “tried to get Valerian moving forwards” before attempting the jump, but the pony continued to stop.

“Valerian kept stopping and he kept smacking him very hard and pulling the bit right through his mouth,” the rider said in a statement. “Valerian started to get welts on the side Joris was smacking him on. I told Joris to stop, but he ignored me or didn’t hear me.”

She added that Joris had continued to try and make the pony jump even when she told him he was too tired, before eventually handing him back to her along with “a broken whip”.

Her mother Sara Boulle described how her daughter had returned to their trailer “in tears” following the session at Fourways Equestrian Centre.

“Valerian had huge, tender lumps on his right side behind the saddle [*warning* click here to view picture of the pony’s side] and sores both sides of his mouth. He also looked absolutely exhausted. I noticed he had lost a front right shoe,” Sara said.

The mother and daughter initially made a complaint to RSA-NF [the South African national federation] but as Joris was not registered with them, the matter was referred to the FEI.

In its protest, RSA-NF said the behaviour shown in video and photographic evidence would be enough for an athlete to be “instantly yellow carded” in a competition or warm-up arena.

“This behaviour is even more disturbing when it is displayed in front of a minor, who is looking up to such a person as a role model,” it said.

Joris is well-known for working full time as a station master while also pursuing an international event career, during which he has appeared at four Olympics, two World Equestrian Games and seven European championships.

He did not deny the allegations, but said he felt “very sad” after reading the complaint and had apologised in writing to the Boulles.

“I have been a professional rider, trainer and teacher for more than 30 years and this has never happened to me before,” he stated. “I wanted to help this young girl, but what I did on the pony is not who I am and I feel terribly bad and sorry about it.

“I have never received any warning, yellow card or allegations of horse abuse. If I could turn back the time I would, but that is impossible.”

He said he rode the pony for five to 10 minutes, on a loose rein with its head in front of it and there was no evidence of him jabbing it with spurs.

He alleged that the junior could have caused the whip marks herself as no “before” pictures existed. It was also noted that there was no veterinary report.

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In a decision published on 30 August, a one-member FEI panel concluded that the witness statements and 12sec of video footage were enough to warrant sanctions, and that there was no evidence that the junior rider was responsible for causing the pony harm.

“The tribunal finds aggravating circumstances in that the facts that the horse abuse was committed by an experienced rider in front of a young rider of 14 training with him.

“On the other hand, the tribunal has taken into account the facts and that Mr Vanspringel recognised his actions were wrong and promptly recognised and apologised for them,” it said.

Joris was given a nine-month suspension and the tribunal denied his request to start the suspension at a later date so he could still participate in the European championships and Olympic qualifiers.

He was also fined CHF 3,000 and ordered to contribute an additional CHF 3,000 towards costs.

After the decision Mrs Boulle told H&H that “for a child to see their pony abused is horrific and unforgivable.

“It made me feel sick to the core to see Valerian and my daughter in such distress after the incident.”

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A couple have been banned from keeping horses for life after they failed to treat their equines for laminitis.

Edwin and Sylvia Pope of Wistanswick, Shropshire, both pleaded guilty to five charges each under the Animal Welfare Act.

All offences took place between February and May 2014, and involved four Shetlands and a cob mare.

Mr Pope admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering by leaving laminitis on four out of five animals untreated.

Mrs Pope pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering through another person failing to treat the laminitis and her, being the owner, allowing this to happen.

Both also pleaded guilty to three counts including failing to provide routine farriery attention and hoof trimming to all the ponies and horse, failing to limit their food leading to their obesity and failing to adequately inspect them on a daily basis.

The couple appeared before Shrewsbury Magistrates Court on Thursday (13 November) and were banned for life.

“This was a very upsetting case. One of the horses simply couldn’t move (pictured right) and had to be carried from the field by five people,” said Inspector Nayman Dunderdale.

“Unfortunately they hadn’t been checked every day. They had been left to grow overweight and were suffering with laminitis.

“We would advise people to check their horses regularly, at least once a day. If you are struggling then seek help.”

The pair currently have some horses left in their care, which must be rehomed within 28 days.

Mr Pope was also given a community order of 60 hours unpaid work and Mrs Pope was given a curfew order from 7pm to 7am. Both were ordered to pay £500 each plus a £60 victim surcharge.

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During the recent World Horse Welfare Conference a panel of equestrian experts, including H&H Editor Lucy Higginson, shared their thoughts on what are acceptable methods of training for competition horses and what oversteps the line to consistute abuse.

Chaired by Simon Brooks-Ward, the panel also included Baroness Ann Mallalieu (Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group of the Horse), Will Connell (World Class Performance Director at the BEF) and Paul Bittar (Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority).

Do you agree with the panel? Let us know via comments below . . .

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A Tennessee walking horse trainer has been sentenced to three years probation and fined $75,000 (£47,070) for “soring” horses — an illegal practice which causes walking horses to lift their legs higher for shows.

Jackie McConnell was charged with 52 counts of violating of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) on 18 September at a federal court in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“I take responsibility for what I’ve done,” he said.

In May, McConnell, 60, pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the HPA after a video filmed undercover by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) — showing him abusing the horses — was broadcast on ABC News.

The maximum possible sentence for the crime was five years in prison and a $250,000 (£156,805) fine.

“It was our hope that McConnell would do prison time for these terrible crimes but there are gaps in the federal law that need to be strengthened,” said Keith Dane of the HSUS.

“[McConnell] has shown no remorse. For decades his income was based on the torture of horses.”

The HSUS’s footage showed the horses being beaten with wooden sticks and poked with electric cattle prods at a stable outside Memphis.

The organisation also said that the horses’ coronet bands and pasterns were slathered with chemicals then wrapped in plastic to make them hyper-sensitive.

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A high profile Tennessee Walking Horse trainer – who was shown abusing his horses in undercover footage broadcast on ABC News – has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Horse Protection Act (HPA).

The video was filmed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and shows Jackie McConnell beating the horses with wooden sticks and poking them with electric cattle prods.

Mr McConnell admitted to applying banned chemicals to the horses’ pasterns making them hyper-sensitive, causing them to raise their front legs artificially high – a practice known as “soring“.

He also admitted to trying to camouflage the signs of this practice, which has been illegal for more than 40 years.

Two other men – John Mays and Joseph Abernathy – pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the case, with Mr McConnell on 22 May. Sentencing will be held on 10 September.

“Although the HPA has been in place for more than 40 years, violators have seldom been prosecuted,” said the HSUS’s Keith Dane.

“The McConnell case urges the federal government to continue to make the enforcement of the HPA a top priority.”

The trainer has also been banned for life from the biggest annual event for the breed – the Walking Horse National Celebration (22 August – 1 September).

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An American animal rights group has revealed footage of Tennessee Walking Horses – a breed known for its high-stepping gait – being beaten and abused.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) conducted an undercover investigation and filmed a video that was then broadcast by ABC News.

The footage shows the horses being beaten with wooden sticks and poked with electric cattle prods at a stable outside Memphis. Trainer Jackie McConnell is facing a felony charge for violating the Horse Protection Act.

Warning: this video contains graphic content that you may find upsetting

The HSUS says that horses’ coronet bands and pasterns were slathered with chemicals then wrapped in plastic to make them hyper-sensitive, causing them to raise their front legs artificially high – a practice known as “soring“. The practice has been illegal for more than 40 years.

The day after ABC News broadcast the video, drinks manufacturer Pepsi dropped its sponsorship of America’s leading competition for the breed, The Walking Horse National Celebration (22 August – 1 September).

However, Pepsi has not confirmed the reason for cancelling its sponsorship.

In 2009 an organisation was set up within the Tennessee Walking Horse industry to tour shows and inspect the horses.

But the HSUS’s Keith Dane said: “This procedure of soring has been going on far too long. The industry has been able to self-police with very poor results.”

Leaders of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry claim that such cruelty is rare.

“You don’t have to do this kind of junk to win. We’re terribly against it,” said Dr Stephen Mullins of SHOW, the group that oversees inspections of the horses before major events.

However a random inspection by the Department of Agriculture at last year’s championship found that every horse tested had some sort of foreign substance around their front hooves.

Dr Mullins claims that there are innocent explanations for some of the substances found.

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A former policeman and director of the Great Yorkshire Show has been jailed for two years after he filmed a man having sex with a male pony.

Police discovered a stash of videos and images depicting abuse of young boys and animals at Charles Littleboy’s home in Howe, Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Last month, Littleboy, 55, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making indecent images of children, four counts of distributing indecent images of children, five counts of possessing extreme pornographic images and a further count of possessing 3,904 indecent photographs of children.

He was jailed for two and a half years and was put on the sex offenders’ register for life, at Teeside Crown Court on Tuesday (8 May).

The court heard the video of the man and pony had been taken a number of years ago, when the man, Shaun Dodds, had been staying at his home.

Littleboy also had film of the same man having sex with a dog.

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Police caught a man who had been sneaking into stables in Devon and molesting horses for 10 months after setting up CCTV cameras in a stable.

Derek Woods, aged 26, of Alphington, pleaded guilty to bestiality and two counts of animal cruelty, after DNA showed he had been abusing horses between December 2009 and August last year.

Woods appeared at Central Devon Magistrates Court on 30 December.

The court heard how police set up surveillance equipment after the owner of a yard in Clyst St George complained about repeated attacks on horses.

Wood was caught at the stables on 9 August.

The magistrates said their maximum sentencing powers, of six months’ imprisonment, were not sufficient to deal with the seriousness of the case.

Woods will be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on 28 January.

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American showjumper Michael Morrissey has been handed a three-month suspension by equestrian sport’s governing body, the FEI, for excessive use of the whip.

Mr Morrissey was taking part in a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) World Equestrian Games selection trial at Wellington CSI** on 27 February 2010, when his horse — Crelido — refused a fence.

According to video posted on YouTube (see below) the rider appeared to hit his horse up to 13 times coming in to a jump.

“I apologise unreservedly for this incident,” Mr Morrissey said.

“I overreacted when the horse stopped and that is unforgivable. Horse welfare has to take precedence over competitive interests and I know that I was in breach of that basic principle.”

Mr Morrissey has been suspended from competition for three months and issued a yellow card. His suspension from FEI competition runs from 5 May to 4 August, in line with the three-month suspension imposed on him USEF.

He has also been disqualified from the event and fined CHF 2,000 (£1,254)

All members of the ground jury have been sent letters of reprimand as a warning after an investigation into the role of the ground jury showed that Mr Morrissey should have been disqualified at the time.

“This incident not only threatened horse welfare and caused reputational damage to the sport and the FEI. All of that would have been avoided if the Ground Jury had properly executed its responsibilities at the time of the incident,” said Lisa Lazarus, FEI General Counsel.

• Does the punishment fit the crime? Have your say in the H&H forum

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American showjumper Michael Morrissey is being investigated by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) for alleged abuse of the horse.

According to video posted on YouTube the rider appeared to hit his horse up to 13 times coming in to a jump at the Wellington CSI** on 27 February.

Mr Morrissey was taking part in a USEF World Equestrian Games selection trial at the show when the horse — Crelido — refuses a fence, leading to the action from Mr Morrissey.

The FEI said it would also be investigating the role of the ground jury at the show.

An FEI spokesman said: “Given the fact that both the international and national federations will issue charges for the same set of factual circumstances, the FEI and the USEF will coordinate their existing regulatory procedures to ensure a fair process for the rider and seek the right outcome for the equestrian community. “

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A horse breeder has been charged with 22 counts of cruelty to animals after 177 mistreated horses were found at an American farm.

When animal welfare officers raided Center Brook Farm in New York State last week they found horses that were grossly underweight, infested with lice, with exposed skin and suffering from rain scald.

Vet Jerry Bilinski estimated that most of the Thoroughbreds had been living off their own flesh for months. One horse was so ill it has since been destroyed.

Ernie Paragallo, 51, was arrested after the raid and subsequently charged with the 22 counts of cruelty.

He agreed that he had not managed his property properly but had not meant to harm his horses, according to USA Today.

He has been banned from Thoroughbred racing in the state.

Animal welfare officer Ronald Perez said: “I’ve been doing this job for 12 years. I’ve seen some grim things but not of this magnitude.”

Readers on USA Today’s website have condemned Mr Paragallo and some even called for capital punishment.

“All animal abusers need to be dealt with as real criminals, with much harsher penalties than are currently available,” writes Sparky04

“As everyone knows, domesticated animals rely on humans to care for them and abuse to any animals is appalling.”

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Event riders Andrew Hoy and Madeleine Brugman have both been found innocent of charges of abuse of the horse.

It had been alleged that they used a pair of spiked over reach boots on Madeleine’s horse Sundancer6 at the CCI*** event Barroca d’Alva on 9 March 2008.

In a statement the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) said: “The tribunal took into consideration the numerous briefs, witness statements and other documents presented by the parties and found the evidence circumstantial, i.e. indirect, in nature; it contained various unresolved contradictions and inconsistencies.

“The Tribunal therefore concludes that the FEI did not meet its burden of proof and did not provide evidence of a nature sufficient to substantiate a case of abuse against either Madeleine Brugman or Andrew Hoy.

And FEI Secretary General Alex McLin, added: “The tribunal’s decision reflects the independence of the FEI’s judicial branch — we must respect it and heed its lessons.

“We will certainly pay close attention to what it means for our enforcement systems and make any necessary adjustments. Abuse of horses in any form is unacceptable and we will continue to bring charges against those responsible for such conduct.”

Andrew Hoy said: “I have always maintained the fact that I had no involvement in this situation. I welcome the findings which support this position.

“Whilst I regret the fact that I was called upon to participate in this investigation, I’m glad that I can put it behind me and that I can now concentrate on my horses and the sport I love.

“Apart from thanking my friends for their support, I have no further comment to make.”

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THE FEI has adjourned its hearing into alleged abuse of the horse by event riders Andrew Hoy and Madeleine Brugman, which took place at Lausanne yesterday (Thursday).

Riders and stewards allege that Ms Brugman rode Sundancer 6 at Barroca d’Alva CCI*** in Portugal (8-12 March) in illegal spiked boots (news, 20 March).

Mr Hoy also attended the hearing as her trainer and it is alleged that he was aware of the use of the boots.

The tribunal heard from several witnesses by video conference and telephone and there was not time for the parties to complete their closing arguments, so a telephone conference has been scheduled for next week.

The FEI should issue its decision within 30 days of this teleconference.

Both Mr Hoy and Miss Brugman deny the charges against them.

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AUSTRALIAN event rider Andrew Hoy will face a disciplinary hearing of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) with Dutch rider Madeleine Brugman, whom he trains.

Riders and stewards allege that Ms Brugman rode Sundancer 6 at Barroca d’Alva CCI*** in Portugal (8-12 March) in illegal spiked boots (news, 20 March).

Ms Brugman and Mr Hoy have been called to an FEI tribunal on Thursday (22 May) to investigate the alleged abuse of the horse.

FEI spokesman Malina Gueorguiev said: “Witnesses are saying they saw them both putting the boots on and taking them off the horse. We now have to establish whether abuse took place.”

Ms Brugman has denied the charges, saying the boots were planted in her bag and Mr Hoy told H&H that he did not condone the use of irregular boots.

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A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a woman who has a history of horse cruelty.

The 36-year-old woman from Surrey failed to show at Guildford Magistrates Court on Monday, where she was due to be sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to three ponies.

Bobby, a dun gelding, Milo a bay gelding (pictured) and an aged mare called Cally were found in March by a field office for the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) underweight and suffering from severe louse infections.

Mrs Michele Alcroft of 37 Hamesmoor Road, Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey had pleaded guilty on 5 November to five charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Bobby, Milo and Cally. She was due to attend Guildford Magistrates Court on 26 November to be sentenced but failed to show up.

In her absence Alcroft was banned from keeping equines for 10 years and the ILPH was awarded custody of Bobby, Milo and Cally.

She had received an adult caution last year for neglecting two ponies so badly they had to be put down.

ILPH field officer Ted Barnes found the three among a number of other ponies living in unsuitable conditions on a rented premises at Strawberry Farm in Guildford following a tip off from a member of the public.

Mr Barnes said: “All three ponies were underweight and suffering from severe louse infections. When I removed the two rugs that Mrs Alcroft had fitted to Milo, he immediately swung round and tried to bite his back and sides.

“His body was covered in large areas of hair loss and raw skin as a result of self mutilation. He was obviously in a great deal of discomfort.”

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A man has been sentenced to four months in jail for causing unnecessary suffering to a horse.

Clonus Jones, 53, of Shelfanger Road, Diss, Norfolk, also had an existing ban from keeping equines extended from 10 to 15 years.

Jones appeared at Thetford Magistrates Court on Monday, 1 October, charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a black cob mare which was found by RSPCA inspectors with a severe facial injury caused by a rope head collar and overgrown hooves.

The horse was one of a number removed from a location off Rose Lane, Diss, on 1 November, 2006, in a joint operation involving the RSPCA, International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and other agencies.

In July, Thetford Magistrates Court issued Jones with a 10-year ban on keeping equines for causing unnecessary suffering to a bay stallion. The horse had been found tethered to a 30ft chain with a canvas collar embedded in its neck. It had also been attacked by open cuts on both sides of its body.

On Monday, Thetford Magistrates extended its earlier ban, and ordered Jones’s co-defendant, Jason Shaw, 22, of Ladbrooke Close, Diss, to serve 100hr of community service. Shaw was also fined £200 costs, banned from keeping horses for three years and given a five-month curfew under which he cannot go out between 8pm and 8am.

Both Jones and Shaw have lodged appeals.

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Amy Tryon, the rider of event horse Le Samurai, has until 28 May to decide whether to give evidence to a tribunal of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

The US team rider is at the centre of abuse allegations after finishing the cross-country course at Rolex Kentucky three-day event on 28 April despite her horse, Le Samurai, going badly lame approaching the final fence.

Afterwards, the course vet said Le Samurai had “lost the supporting ligaments in his front leg”. The horse was put down on 5 May.

Last week, the FEI received official reports and videos from organisers at the Rolex Kentucky, who disqualified Amy after the event.

FEI spokesman Malina Gueorguiev told H&H the case was being taken very seriously.

“It happened during a major event in an Olympic discipline and the allegations are against a vastly experienced and knowledgeable rider,” said Ms Gueorguiev.

Spectators around the world watched Le Samurai go lame as part of live streaming of the entire three-day event on www.NBCsports.com. A video clip of the incident was also posted on YouTube for a short time.

The FEI has notified Amy Tryon through the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) of her right to be heard before a panel of the FEI Tribunal. An original deadline of 17 May was last Thursday extended until Monday, 28 May. If Amy decides against facing a tribunal, she can submit evidence to the FEI’s judicial committee, which is expected to convene shortly to review the case.

The FEI spokesman added: “Any case of abuse is serious and has to be sanctioned adequately.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (24 May, ’07)

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