Top rider speaks out after US eventer suspended for abuse

Five-star event rider Andrew McConnon has been suspended for 20 months by the FEI Tribunal

- By ELEANOR JONES

FIVE-STAR US event rider Andrew McConnon has been suspended for 20 months for abusing horses - as a fellow top rider said: “We owe our horses better than this”.

The FEI Tribunal has ruled on the case of the eventer, who had been provisionally suspended since January. An anonymous report had been made to US Equestrian (USEF) in summer 2024 and “materials showing abusive behaviours” were sent to USEF shortly afterwards. The news came just after Andrew had competed at Burghley, coming 27th with Wakita 54.

USEF passed information to the FEI, which investigated.

“The FEI Tribunal found Andrew McConnon to have engaged in abuse of horse as well as in a conduct that has brought the FEI and equestrian sport into disrepute,” an FEI spokesperson said, adding that Andrew was found to have breached the FEI code of conduct on the welfare of the horse.

The rider was fined CHF 2,500 (around £2,340). His suspension will end on 8 September next year.