'Sincere remorse' of rider suspended for abuse

US rider Andrew McConnon was found not guilty of most of the allegations made about him

- By ELEANOR JONES

FIVE-STAR eventer Andrew McConnon showed "sincere remorse" for his actions that constituted horse abuse - and was not guilty of most of the allegations made against him.

The US rider was suspended for 20 months (news, 4 December), and the full FEI Tribunal report into his hearing has now been published.

The Tribunal panel disregarded most evidence from the FEI's witnesses, as the FEI sought to prove Andrew had committed abuse, including preventing horses from breathing and riding in hyperflexion.

It found he had "slapped Horse A on the top of his neck seven times", that his use of the reins on the same horse was "firmer than necessary" and that he "jabbed Horse A in the mouth three times by crossing the rein over Horse A's midline".

"There was no evidence to suggest that the pain or discomfort was long-lasting or resulted in any enduring harm," the Tribunal report states.