The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has imposed a 15-year suspension on U.S. dressage rider Cesar Parra for repeated horse welfare violations, marking one of the most severe sanctions in FEI history. Parra, a prominent international competitor since 1998, was found guilty of abusing multiple horses over many years, based on extensive video evidence and witness statements. Alongside the suspension, he was fined approximately $18,600 and ordered to pay $12,400 in legal costs. The FEI emphasized that horse welfare is fundamental to equestrian sport and that such misconduct by a top-level athlete is especially troubling.

The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) supported the FEI’s decision and noted it has since strengthened its rules to address unethical treatment of horses both on and off competition grounds. Parra is banned from all FEI and national federation events, including training FEI-registered athletes and horses, with his provisional suspension counting toward the 15-year ban ending in 2039. The full FEI decision will be published soon, with an option for appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.