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

International dressage rider Cesar Parra — Olympic dressage rider Cesar Parra was suspended for 15 years.

(Image credit: Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty)

Dressage rider and trainer Cesar Parra has been suspended from national as well as international competition as footage of “abhorrent abusive training techniques” is investigated.

H&H reported last week that US rider Cesar Parra had been provisionally suspended by the FEI after video clips were shared of horses’ being trained under saddle and from the ground.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

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

This week US Equestrian (USEF) provided an update.

“On Thursday (1 February), USEF received video clips documenting abhorrent abusive training techniques by FEI dressage athlete and trainer Cesar Parra at his private training facility in [Florida],” the spokesman said.

The spokesman added that USEF is cooperating with the FEI on its investigation and “supporting their efforts”.

“The training practices documented in the videos cannot be tolerated in our sport,” she added.

“USEF is steadfast in its commitment to horse wellbeing and has committed its resources to supporting the FEI in bringing this matter to resolution as expediently as possible.”

Cesar Parra is from Colombia but took US citizenship in 2009, and has competed at the Pan American Games, the Olympics and World Cup Finals.

He was unavailable for comment.

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