In an outcome marking one of the most significant sanctions issued by the Fédération Equestre Internationale Tribunal, the FEI announced today that a 15-year suspension has been imposed against U.S. dressage rider Cesar Parra for actions violating the principles of horse welfare. Parra has also been fined approximately $18,600 and ordered to pay $12,400 in legal costs. 

A prominent figure in international equestrian sport, Parra has competed at the top level since 1998. He represented his native Colombia at the 1999 Pan American Games, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2002 and 2006, and the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final. After switching nationalities in 2008, Parra competed for the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2014 FEI World Cup Final.

Parra, 62, has been provisionally suspended since Feb. 2, 2024, when he was notified that he was under FEI investigation following reports of horse abuse submitted to the U.S. Equestrian Federation. USEF had received multiple allegations along with numerous videos and photographs showing Parra engaging in abusive behavior and training methods involving several horses.

The FEI, in coordination with USEF, launched an immediate investigation into the allegations that Parra had repeatedly and deliberately subjected the majority, if not all, of the horses he owned and trained to recurring and serious abuse over many years. The investigation involved a thorough review of extensive video and photographic material, as well as multiple witness statements. 

On May 22, 2024, the FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against Parra, bringing forward three charges: abuse of horse; conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport into disrepute; and breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.

“This case is deeply unsettling, not only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affected,” FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch said. “That such behavior came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport.

“The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified,” Rentsch continued. “The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”

USEF issued a statement Wednesday in support of the FEI’s decision.

“When USEF received horse welfare complaints against Parra in early 2024, the federation did not have a rule in place allowing us to take action on welfare issues that took place outside of sanctioned competitions,” the statement noted. “As such, we referred handling of this case to the FEI, which did have a rule in place allowing them to undertake an investigation. Since then, the USEF board passed GR838, which expands the federation’s jurisdiction to unethical treatment that occurs on or off the grounds of a Federation competition.”

USEF CEO Bill Moroney noted USEF’s progress and thanked the FEI for its work.

“As a federation, we have strengthened our rules to ensure we are within our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary action for behavior and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds,” he said. “Parra’s documented and repeated behavior has no place in our sport, and we will ensure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s decision. We appreciate the FEI’s diligence and expertise in pursuing this matter.”

Parra is banned from taking part in any competition or event or in any related activity under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any national federation, including USEF. He is also prohibited from training any FEI-registered athletes and/or FEI-registered horses. The provisional suspension already served will count towards the 15-year sanction, which will end on Feb. 1, 2039.

The full reasoned decision will be published here in due course, the FEI said Wednesday. Parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of receipt of the full decision.