This article was updated on Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time to include a statement from the FEI, and again on Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time to include a second statement from the USEF.
A video posted to dressage rider Cesar Parra’s Instagram account on Feb. 1 showing a rider, allegedly Parra, training at home has caught the attention of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and Fédération Equestre Internationale. In the video, the rider is shown whipping horses and severely disciplining them from the saddle and from the ground.
“We are aware of the appalling and abhorrent training video posted yesterday,” stated a USEF representative via email. “We have notified the FEI and are working with them to initiate the investigation into this serious matter. USEF stands strongly against training methods which are abusive to horses. For more information on reporting equine abuse, and the role of USEF in preventing equine abuse, go to USEF.org.”
The FEI also sent a statement today, Feb. 2, announcing Parra’s provisional suspension.
“The FEI confirms that Dressage Athlete Cesar Parra (USA) (FEI ID 10000031) has been immediately provisionally suspended while the FEI investigates the disturbing and abhorrent images and videos in relation to his training techniques that have recently emerged,” said an FEI spokesperson via email.
“Equestrian sport is built on a foundation of respect for our equine partners, with a duty of care to ensure their mental and physical wellbeing comes first, ahead of all competition and/or training ambitions.
“Through the FEI’s Rules and Regulations, the welfare of the horse, and any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse constitutes a violation of our rules and will be sanctioned. The FEI remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare and sanctioning behaviour which deviates from these principles, and will be actively investigating this case as a matter of urgency.
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“As this is an open investigation, no further comment will be provided in relation to the alleged offences while the investigation is ongoing. The FEI is also collaborating and liaising with US Equestrian and the FEI’s provisional suspension and any subsequent sanctions will be recognised at the national level.
“The FEI is committed to ensuring that horses involved in sport experience positive welfare throughout their lives, and that the FEI’s regulations, policies and practices, as well as the wider community’s actions reflect these principles, and we will continue to address actions and behaviours that are in contradiction with our values.”
In a Feb. 5 statement the USEF confirmed that Parra is banned from competing nationally, and the USEF statement said the organization is cooperating and supporting the FEI investigation.
This isn’t the first time Parra, Frenchtown, New Jersey, and Jupiter, Florida, has been in the spotlight for alleged horse welfare violations, but he was eventually cleared of those accusations.
Parra, 60, is a championship veteran, representing Colombia in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, two FEI World Equestrian Games, an FEI World Cup Final (Nevada) and a Pan American Games (Manitoba). Since switching his citizenship to the United States in 2009, he earned team gold at the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games (Mexico).
Parra did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
