Rider's 10-year ban for electric spurs is upheld

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed jumper Andy Kocher’s appeal of the FEI ban and sanctions

- ELEANOR JONES

THE decision to ban top US rider Andy Kocher for 10 years, for prolonged use of electric spurs has been upheld.

In 2021, the FEI Tribunal ruled that the showjumper be suspended, fined CHF 10,000 (£9,051) and ordered to pay CHF 7,500 costs. Andy said he would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS has now confirmed and upheld the FEI Tribunal’s decision and the sanctions.

“Considering the dual iniquity of cruelty to animals and disloyalty to competitors, as well as the actions of the appellant in not only using electric spurs himself but also in instructing or encouraging others to do so, the panel reaches the same conclusion as the FEI Tribunal,” the CAS report stated.

Among the evidence, the panel “specifically noted” events including the 2018 Hickstead Derby, in which Andy rode Navalo De Poheton “with trigger button in right hand”. Navalo De Poheton suffered a broken leg on the flat in the class and was put down.