FEI Tribunal Imposes 15-Year Suspension on Cesar Parra

Dressage

FEI

-- FEI press release

In an outcome marking one of the most significant sanctions issued by the FEI Tribunal, a 15-year suspension has today been imposed against Dressage athlete Cesar Parra (USA) (FEI ID: 10000031), for actions violating the principles of horse welfare. Parra has also been fined CHF 15,000 and ordered to pay CHF 10,000 in legal costs.

A prominent figure in international equestrian sport, Parra has competed at the top level since 1998. He represented his native Colombia at the Pan American Games in 1999, the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2002 and 2006, and the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2005. After switching nationalities in 2008, Parra went on to compete for the United States at the Pan American Games in 2011 and the FEI World Cup™ Final in 2014.

Parra has been provisionally suspended since 2 February 2024, when he was notified that he was under FEI investigation following reports of horse abuse submitted to US Equestrian.

US Equestrian had received multiple allegations along with numerous videos and photographs showing Parra engaging in abusive behaviour and training methods involving several horses.

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 investigation involved a thorough review of extensive video and photographic material, as well as multiple witness statements.

On 22 May 2024, the FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against Parra, bringing forward three charges: i) abuse of horse; ii) conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute; iii) 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,” FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch said.

“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.”

Parra is banned from taking part in any competition or event, or in any related activity under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any National Federation. He is also prohibited from training any FEI registered Athletes and/or FEI registered Horses. The provisional suspension already served will count towards the 15-year sanction, which will end on 1 February 2039.

The full reasoned decision will be published here in due course.

Parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the full decision.

USEF Statement

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) supports the FEI Tribunal’s decision to impose a 15-year suspension of Cesar Parra for violating the principles of horse welfare. USEF will enforce the suspension, which began provisionally on February 2, 2024, and will continue through February 1, 2039. Parra has also been fined CHF 15,000 and ordered to pay legal costs of CHF 10,000.

When USEF received horse welfare complaints against Parra in early 2024, the Federation did not have a rule in place allowing us to take action on welfare issues that took place outside of sanctioned competitions. As such, we referred handling of this case to the FEI, which did have a rule in place allowing them to undertake an investigation. Since then, the USEF board passed GR838, which expands the Federation’s 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 behavior and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds. 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,” said Bill Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of US Equestrian.