Cesar Parra, an international dressage rider, has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his 15-year suspension imposed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. The ban, which was announced on August 6, 2025, came after an exhaustive inquiry after charges of horse cruelty under Parra’s care.

According to the FEI’s decision, Parra, 62, was suspended for 15 years, fined $18,600, and compelled to pay $12,400 in legal fees. The regulating board claimed that the case involves repeated abusive behaviors affecting many horses.

A Long Career in Equestrian Sports

Parra has been a prominent figure in international dressage since the late 1990s. He represented Colombia in several important competitions, including:

• The 1999 Pan-American Games
• The 2004 Athens Olympic Games
• The FEI World Equestrian Games of 2002 and 2006
• The 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final.

Parra competed at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2014 FEI World Cup Final after switching to US national representation in 2008.

The Allegations and Initial Suspension

Parra was provisionally suspended on February 2, 2024, when a video surfaced on his social media accounts depicting him utilizing harsh training methods with many horses.

FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch described the situation as “deeply troubling,” noting that top-level athletes are required to maintain “the highest standards of horsemanship.” He added:

“Horses are the foundation of equestrian sport, not an accessory. This extended ban sends a strong message that equine welfare infractions may result in severe penalties.”

The FEI also stated that the inquiry took a significant amount of time and resources due to the size and complexity of the evidence, which required independent verification.

Next Steps

Parra has 21 days to appeal the FEI’s decision before the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the independent body responsible for resolving disputes across all sporting disciplines.

Reference

Original reporting: The Chronicle of the Horse (September 2, 2025)