Videos on social media showing dressage trainer Cesar Parra whipping horses and engaging in training practices that have caused an outcry prompted the U.S. Equestrian Federation Board of Directors Monday to introduce an extraordinary rule change, which would expand its jurisdiction over horse abuse outside of competition.
Cesar Parra after competition.
The rule, which could go into effect Dec. 1 if passed at the USEF’s mid-year meeting, defines horse abuse as any action or omission that is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse. It will not, however, be retroactive.
On Tuesday, the USEF followed up with a letter to members, stating “the images and videos are disturbing and show a complete disregard for horse welfare and are in no way aligned with our values and beliefs as the stewards of horse sport in the United States.”
To ensure the integrity of the investigation, USEF cannot disclose details of the situation. But the federation emphasized, “We are documenting these violations and will pursue disciplinary action to the highest degree in partnership with the FEI (international equestrian federation).”
The USEF maintained, “It is imperative that as a community, we continue to hold each other accountable and speak up when we see something that endangers the integrity of our sport, the health and welfare of our horses, and/or the well-being of our athletes and members.
“If you have witnessed horse-related abuse, please contact USEF by texting what you saw to 2USEF (28733) or by emailing generalcounsel@usef.org. As a reminder, if you witnessed or have knowledge of sexual abuse, it must be reported to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.”
The USEF does not have the ability to secure search warrants, so it will rely on reports from members in enforcing the rule. The abuse must be reported to licensed officials at a show, and to USEF if it takes place outside of competition. There will be 21 definitions of what constitutes abuse in the proposed rule. Some already are in the rulebook, but more are being added.
The proposal clarifies that licensed officials or competition management can “take swift action” to issue a written warning or disqualification if the abuse occurs at a showgrounds.
The rule change notes that “USEF takes its social license to operate very seriously, and learning from the mistakes of others, recognizes that time is of the essence.”
It notes that the horse industry has come under increased scrutiny, particularly in regard to the integrity and safety of horse racing. USEF cited as another example the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus, which shut down in 2017 and reinvented itself without animals in 2023. USEF also mentioned modern pentathlon, which no longer will include show jumping after this year, following an incident in which a coach punched a horse at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Social license is a vitally important issue for our industry, and further oversight of training practices outside of competition has been an important topic under consideration. The Cesar Parra concerns are an example of why this is an important issue to address. The rule change is being released today to provide as much time as possible for member and stakeholder feedback,” USEF Chief Marketing and Content Officer Vicki Lowell stated on Monday.
“USEF takes horse abuse very seriously. Horses are our trusted partners in sport and in life. The goal of the extraordinary rule change put forward today is to ensure that USEF has broader oversight of horse welfare outside of competition. This rule will have the opportunity for member and stakeholder feedback before a decision is taken at the Mid-Year Meeting.”
Parra, who rode for his native Colombia in the Olympics, represented the U.S. in the Pan American Games after becoming a citizen.
He has been provisionally suspended by the FEI, which can act in abuse cases outside of competition. The USEF has honored that suspension, as the two organizations investigate the Parra situation and decide how this matter should be resolved.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association will hold its second Town Hall in a row about social license to operate on Monday Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.