Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a quote from Hors Welfare Collective Executive Director Caroline Howe.

The U.S. Equestrian Federation has expelled hunter/jumper trainer Shannon Eckel and fined her $2,500 for actions it found contributed to the unintentional death of a horse in her care.

The ruling stems from a 2021 incident in which a horse called Cobain, which she had in training at her Hat Trick Sporthorses in Aiken, South Carolina, died after Eckel left him tied unattended in his stall while she went to a nearby horse show, Stable View Summer Classic II Horse Show. Cobain reportedly had refused to load onto the trailer headed to the show.

“She had previously taken the horse to this competition on July 29 and 30, 2021,” a USEF ruling published May 14 stated. “Following his refusal to load, she returned the horse to his stall where she left him tied and unattended while she took other horses to the competition. She did not notify her on-site stable help that she was leaving the horse tied in his stall. In addition, despite admitting that the horse showed signs of colic and despite treating him for colic, she did not communicate with on-site stable help to provide proper attention to the horse, and she did not secure appropriate veterinary care for the horse. Her conduct contributed to the unintentional death of Cobain.”

While the horse’s death took place away from competition grounds, USEF was able to act because the horse was entered in a currently running USEF-licensed competition, said Vicki Lowell, USEF chief marketing and content officer. Eckel was sanctioned under USEF rule GR702.1.d for acting “in a manner contrary to the rules of the Federation, or in a manner deemed improper, unethical, dishonest, unsportsmanlike or intemperate, or prejudicial to the best interests of the sport and the Federation.”

The case was first brought to USEF’s attention in 2023. Members have been pressuring the federation since then to sanction Eckel; at least one said the federation previously told her it could not act because the abuse happened off competition grounds, before USEF instituted a rule change last year that allows it to punish abuse outside of shows. Caroline Howe, executive director of the North Carolina-based Horse Welfare Collective, has been engaged in an ongoing dialogue with USEF officials about the case since 2023.

“It’s still hard for me to understand why USEF waited over two years after first finding out about Cobain’s death to expel her, even though no new information about the incident has come to light since July 2022,” Howe wrote in an email. “I had several meetings with USEF in 2023 about Cobain’s case where I argued that they could take action since Cobain was entered in a USEF-licensed competition when he died, and I made the same argument again in March 2025 after I sent social media coverage of the case to USEF. USEF’s initial lack of responsiveness to address this incident, despite membership outcry, is part of a broader pattern when horse welfare is concerned, but I’m glad they finally took action.”

Lowell said USEF is committed to moving forward “in a positive and constructive manner.”

“A resolution has been reached with Shannon Eckel regarding the disciplinary matter against her,” Lowell wrote in an emailed statement. “She has agreed to an expulsion with the opportunity to petition the Hearing Committee for reinstatement upon satisfaction of certain criteria.”

The ruling states that the federation resolved the case through an informal resolution with Eckel, who fully cooperated and was represented by legal counsel.

Eckel’s lawyer, John Harte, commented on the USEF ruling on social media.

“My client Shannon Eckel has been cleared by the USEF of accusations of intentional abuse of the horse Cobain,” Harte wrote. “The USEF concluded that there was a mistake in failing to physically bring the stable man to monitor the horse and in deciding not to call the vet.”

He called USEF’s decision, including her right to apply for re-instatement, “a true victory for the truth because it clearly establishes that Shannon never intended to hurt Cobain and what happened was unintentional.”

Eckel’s expulsion began May 16. She is unable to participate in any USEF activities or USEF-licensed competition in any capacity including as an exhibitor, participant or spectator “until further notice.” Any horses she owns or leases are prohibited from competing or participating in any USEF activity as well.

Unlike a suspension, which is for a specific period, expulsion is the permanent removal of membership, with the opportunity for reinstatement, Lowell said. Eckel’s ruling states that she may apply for reinstatement with the federation six months from the start of her expulsion “based upon affirmative proof of total rehabilitation, including proof that she has truly accepted responsibility for her actions and has taken steps to reform herself.”

To be reinstated, an expelled person must file a petition for reinstatement with the federation’s regulation department, and that person must attend a hearing with the Hearing Committee, Lowell wrote.

“The Hearing Panel will consider the seriousness of the actions, the legitimate interest of the Federation in promoting the welfare of horses, the specific privileges and duties necessarily related to reinstatement as a member of the Federation; and the time elapsed since the occurrence of the violations; and the individual’s age when they committed the violations,” Lowell wrote.

Because Eckel’s case was an informal resolution, the $2,500 fine was determined by the regulatory department, CEO Bill Moroney, and COO and General Counsel Sonja Keating.

In May 2023, Cobain’s owner, Sarah Mennen, filed a civil suit against Eckel in South Carolina’s Court for negligence, gross negligence, carelessness and recklessness, breach of contract, breach of bailment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In the suit, Mennen alleged that Eckel tied Cobain to the highest rail of the stall wall by a rope halter and lead, and after being left unsupervised Cobain struggled until he died. In November 2024, the case was settled in mediation outside of court with no finding of fault recorded against Eckel. As part of the settlement, Mennen and Eckel entered into a confidentiality agreement concerning the terms of the settlement.

In March, social media posts from people not involved in the case began circulating online accusing Eckel of killing Cobain. Eckel subsequently sued a dozen people and entities who posted about Cobain’s death for libel, slander or defamation. Two of those defendants have retained Mennen’s lawyer Greg Collins to represent them, and he is now requesting, with Mennen’s consent, that the confidentiality agreement be lifted for use in the new suit. In that request, he said that Eckel and Harte have commented online about the details of the case.

“Due to truth being the main defense” for his clients, Collins wrote in a May 12 court filing, he asked that the confidentiality agreement be lifted for the purposes of defending them in Eckel’s defamation suit.

Speaking for USEF, Lowell emphasized that the federation does not condone harassment.

“It is important to emphasize that while the disciplinary process was necessary, USEF does not condone any form of harassment against the member involved,” Lowell wrote. “Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of the circumstances. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the equestrian community as we continue to uphold the highest standards of conduct within our sport.”