Hunter/jumper trainer Rob Bielefeld, of Wellington, Florida, was recently removed from the list of individuals suspended by the U.S. Center For SafeSport.

Bielefeld was granted interim relief from his suspension, which was mandated by the U.S. Center For SafeSport and carried out by the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

The suspension was initially handed down May 25 while Bielefeld was judging at the Devon Horse Show (Pennsylvania). He was allowed to judge the following day and was scheduled to judge at Devon the following weekend, but the show replaced him.

Generally an individual will remain on an interim suspension while the center investigates the claims against that individual, but USEF’s legal team explained there is a process through the U.S. Center For SafeSport by which someone could get their interim suspension lifted.

“The U.S. Center for Safe Sport Code affords respondents an opportunity to request an interim measure hearing regarding the imposition of the interim measures,” USEF’s legal team stated in an emailed response. “An Arbitrator presides over the hearing and makes the determination… The interim measures hearing is not intended to be a full hearing on the merits, and it is limited to determining whether there exists reasonable cause to impose the interim measure. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be given no weight in the final hearing on the merits.

“Mr. Bielefeld requested an interim measure hearing, and as such it was conducted last week,” the statement continued. “Following the hearing, the Arbitrator found that the interim measure imposed was not appropriate based on the facts and circumstances of the case as presented at the hearing. Thus, the interim suspension was lifted. This matter is still pending a final determination by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport. USEF cannot make any additional comments at this time.”

You can see the full list, which includes SafeSport violations from all sports in the Olympic movement, on the USEF website. Click “Safe Sport” to get a list of all who have been sanctioned under that policy.  The list includes each individual’s name, location, sport, violation and date sanctioned.

For more information about SafeSport, check out our story about the program.