Cesar Parra, a former US Olympic dressage rider, has been banned for 15 years by the FEI following a thorough investigation that uncovered systematic and deliberate horse abuse. The FEI Tribunal’s decision, based on extensive evidence including videos, photos, and witness testimonies, revealed Parra’s use of blunt-force violence and mechanical devices to inflict pain, along with practices such as overworking horses, forcing hyperflexion, and depriving them of basic care. Witnesses who worked under Parra described enduring abuse to protect the horses and gather evidence, highlighting a culture of fear and neglect within his training environment.

The Tribunal condemned Parra’s methods as integral to his training philosophy, noting aggravating factors like instructing others to abuse horses and suppressing questions about his techniques. Despite the FEI’s request for a lifetime ban, the Tribunal imposed a 15-year suspension, a substantial fine, and legal cost penalties, emphasizing the severity of the violations and the need to uphold horse welfare and the sport’s integrity. This landmark ruling sends a strong message that repeated, intentional abuse at elite levels will face the harshest consequences.