Who is Cesar Parra and why is he facing 15 years suspension from Dressage? Reasons explored

As videos of Cesar Parra go viral, reports state that he has since been suspended for 15 years from Dressage.

According to The Chronicle of the Horse, the Fédération Equestre Internationale Tribunal announced the suspension against the former Olympian just today, adding that he has also been ordered to pay a fine of $18,600, in addition to the $12,400 in legal costs.

For the unversed, Cesar Parra has been competing at the highest level since 1998, having represented Colombia in 1999 at the Pan American Games. He also competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2002 and 2006, and the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final. He became a US citizen in 2008, after which he began playing for the nation at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2014 FEI World Cup Final.

Everything we know about Cesar Parra's suspension:

FEI legal director Mikael Rentsch has issued a statement about Cesar Parra's suspension, which “sends a clear message” to all those who teeter on violating horse welfare:

“This case is deeply unsettling, not only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affected,” he said, “That such behaviour came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport. The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified. The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”

Another spokesperson for the FEI said in a statement, per Horse&Hound:

“US Equestrian had received multiple allegations along with numerous videos and photographs showing Parra engaging in abusive behaviour and training methods involving several horses. The FEI, in coordination with US Equestrian, launched an immediate investigation into the allegations that Parra had repeatedly and deliberately subjected the majority, if not all, of the horses he owned and trained to recurring and serious abuse over a number of years.”

The investigation looked into “extensive video and photographic material," as well as statements from several witnesses. The FEI then launched formal disciplinary proceedings against Cesar Parra in May last year, levying three charges against him:

"abuse of horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute and breach of the FEI code of conduct on the welfare of the horse."

The suspension reportedly began provisionally on February 2, 2024, and will now go on through February 1, 2039. Last year, when complaints about Cesar Parra's abuse had just emerged, the Federation did not have pre-established rules for incidents that fell outside sanctioned competitions, USEF has reported.

However, they did have the right to launch an investigation. Since then, the USEF has instated GR838, which allows the Federation to take action against mistreatment outside Federation competition.

“As a federation, we have strengthened our rules to ensure we are within our jurisdiction to pursue disciplinary action for behavior and actions endangering horse safety and welfare, both on and off competition grounds. Parra’s documented and repeated behavior has no place in our sport, and we will ensure the enforcement of the FEI Tribunal’s decision. We appreciate the FEI’s diligence and expertise in pursuing this matter,” said Bill Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of US Equestrian.

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