dressage rider Cesar Parra, a prominent international competitor since 1998, has appealed his 15-year suspension imposed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Parra was suspended, fined approximately $18,600, and ordered to pay $12,400 in legal costs following an extensive investigation into multiple instances of horse abuse, which came to light after a video showing his abusive training methods was posted on social media. The FEI emphasized the severity of the case due to the number of horses affected and Parra’s status as a top-level athlete, underscoring that horse welfare is fundamental to equestrian sport.
The FEI Legal Director highlighted the complexity and thoroughness of the investigation, stating the lengthy suspension serves as a strong warning that violations of horse welfare principles will result in serious penalties regardless of an athlete’s profile. Parra was provisionally suspended in February 2024 and given 21 days to appeal the decision to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, which handles legal disputes across various sports disciplines.
