Olympic rider 'indifferent to horses' suffering over years

The full report on Cesar Parra's abuse of horses has been published by the FEI Tribunal

- ELEANOR JONES

THE panel who ruled on the case of Cesar Parra was “amazed to see how creative [he] has been in trying to find techniques and practices that would hurt horses, in perfect indifference to their suffering”.

The US dressage rider was suspended for 15 years by the FEI Tribunal, for abusing multiple horses (news, 14 August). The full Tribunal report has now been published.

EXCESSIVE WHIP USE

THE Tribunal panel said Parra had excessively used the whip and spurs. He caused damage to horses’ mouths by misusing his hands, used “abusive equipment” – metal nuts under the noseband – and elasticated hobbles and shackles.

“[His] actions put horses’ mental and physical health at risk,” the Tribunal report states. “The respondent did not see any issue in his behaviour, considering it to be specific training techniques or practices. The panel strongly disagrees.

“The respondent adopted a behaviour aiming at obtaining complete submissiveness, in his pursuit of competition and commercial goals.