The U.S. Center for SafeSport on Sept. 23 lengthened Shelley Fellers’ suspension from four years to six years. She was suspended for “abuse of process; retaliation; failure to report.”

“Shelley Fellers appealed the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s April 28, 2021, decision imposing a four-year suspension against her for abuse of process, retaliation, and failure to report,” said a U.S. Equestrian Federation spokesperson in an emailed statement. “Following a hearing on the merits before an independent arbitrator, the arbitrator determined that Ms. Fellers’ misconduct warranted a six-year suspension from participation in sport. As such, the four-year suspension has been modified to six years. This underscores the seriousness of these Code violations.”

Fellers is the wife of international show jumper and 2012 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (the Netherlands) winner Rich Fellers. Both initially were issued temporary suspensions Feb. 9 on “allegations of misconduct.” Rich’s violation is now listed to “criminal disposition involving a minor; criminal disposition, sexual misconduct.”

In a criminal case related to the same allegations, Fellers was arrested June 7 on four counts of second-degree sexual abuse by the Tualatin (Oregon) Police Department. He pleaded not guilty on all counts in July and is scheduled to appear in court next on Oct. 4.

Rich, 61, and Shelley, 55, competed out of their Rich Fellers Stables LLC at Timberline Meadows in Oregon City, Oregon.

Rich’s former student, Maggie Kehring, publicly came forward in February to say she participated in SafeSport’s investigation.

SafeSport has not reached a decision in Rich’s case, and he remains suspended.

A phone call to the Howard Jacobs, the Fellerses’ attorney, requesting comment was not returned by press time.