Christian Heineking and his wife and kiddo all showed UDJC. Erin posted her thoughts on the “safe environment” after “leaving USEF 2 years ago.”
I have no skin in this game.
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I wouldn’t go “wink wink” if I were talking about this person.
I’m not picking on anyone in specific more general commentary, but if it’s out for public knowledge, why are people afraid to say it in a post? Is this part of the culture that keeps horse abuse, drugging, and sexual abuse of minors happening? I would imagine that there are people out there right now showing at a schooling show with a trainer on a SafeSport list and they have NO IDEA because it’s a “secret.”
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thanks! 
No I didn’t think you had any skin in it. More of a commentary on posting bad actors 
I am not familiar with Christian so am going to it up. I would have no idea!!!
For others, and Hey UDJC- I get you are a new organization, but is this what you want to allow at your shows?
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I’ll bite, since I feel like the posts were directly aimed at me and the poster I replied to (though no one directly replied to us).
My posts here have been screenshot and sent to trainers and others I’ve worked with in the same area, so I try to be mindful of that. I’m not going to be the one that summons the google searchers to this topic, someone else can do that. Call me spineless, scared, or whatever you want. 
Edited for clarity.
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So the people with whom you associate would care that you named a convicted rapist. Interesting. Must be a nice group .
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Penny well or whoever you are …
The ugliness of people never ceases to amaze me… you included. You that claim you know so much are who with your false information are so determined to destroy my family… you slander , you lie.
My husband has never been convicted of anything… much less rape. The article you are all posting was poorly written and included false information. Those charges against Christian were dropped. As for safe sport, they have never asked us a question, there has never been a hearing or an investigation and it’s been 2 year. We are still waiting .
And yes, lots of people associate with us. Lots and lots and lots. I won’t mind if you are not one of them
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People can only go by what is public information.
If what you are saying is true, your team should be demanding retractions and have the public records scrubbed.
So the FEI got it wrong?
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Oh I totally get it (and I’ve had people use my posts on COTH against me) , I’m not really picking on you, but the culture that you can’t name someone on the Safesport or FEI list lest his wife pop onto COTH and attack you. It’s kind of like whispering Beetlejuice 3 times.
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The site says he has a criminal disposition related to sexual assault of a minor. If that is not correct, I would be working relentlessly to clarify the situation and have that removed. Otherwise, what are members of the public to think?
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There are no public records of him being a convicted rapist. The COTH article doesn’t say it, the screen shot you provided doesn’t say it, and even the SafeSport list says criminal disposition but does convicted.
He is still suspended and banned from USEF/FEI competitions, because he is still on the Safesport list. I don’t pretend to understand the SS process, as I have asked a questions before along the lines of this situation with another trainer and no one had a clear answer nor did Safesport. There could be a million reasons why they haven’t given some large public statement. Public records show the case was only just closed in November. Criminal Disposition doesn’t just mean convicted. It is just a final sentence and that can be a multiple different things, including dismissed.
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Really? I’m not challenging what you’re saying but when I see Criminal Disposition I don’t think innocent. I guess it’s the word ‘criminal’ that stumps me.
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Yes. A lot of people make that mistake. I was one of those people until I took a course during university where we had to learn basic legal terms.
I clipped this from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website:
The disposition on a criminal record is the current status or final outcome of an arrest or prosecution. Common dispositions are:
- Convicted : means you have plead or been found guilty by a court of law.
- Acquitted : means you have been found not guilty by a court of law in a criminal trial.
- Dismissed : means the court or prosecutor has decided the charge against you should not go forward, terminating the case.
- No charges filed/Charges dropped : means the prosecutor has declined to pursue the case.
- Vacated : means the court has withdrawn the guilty plea or set aside the guilty verdict, and for all purposes you may state you have never been convicted of that crime.
- Sealed : means the court has restricted access to all or some of the content of the record; however, the existence of the record will still be public record. For juveniles (but NOT adults), the sealed crime is, generally, treated as if it never occurred, unless it has been subsequently unsealed.
- Expunged : means the deletion of non-conviction information (such as arrest data).
- Pending : means the case is still being investigated or prosecuted.
- Diversion/Deferred Prosecution : means the court has delayed prosecution pending the successful completion of a treatment program, at which point the charges will be dismissed. Until charges are dismissed, this will be treated as pending.
- Suspended sentence : means the court has delayed the sentencing for an offense pending the successful completion of a period of probation and/or successful completion of a treatment program. If the defendant does not break the law during that period, and fulfills the particular conditions of the probation, the judge usually reduces the degree of the offense or may dismiss the case entirely. Until the sentence is reduced or dismissed, this will be treated as pending.
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Thank you for the info!
So when or how does the public find what the criminal disposition result is for a case?
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Why shouldn’t people be allowed to defend themselves on a public forum?
Again, no dog in the fight, but it seems awfully unfair to allow people to discuss a matter without allowing those directly involved to post as well.
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Christian Heineking also comes up in this mention of a second lawsuit.
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I never said people weren’t allowed to defend themselves. I just said it’s a reason people feel the need to be hush hush about someone who’s on the Safesport list.
We’ve also questioned what happens if an organization that isn’t under the USEF lets in banned trainers/riders.
We should also question, what if an organization that isn’t under the USEF uses the Safesport list to prevent trainers from showing at their shows. Do they then get sued by the trainer?
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Thanks for posting IRL examples of what even baseless accusations can cost organizations running shows.
Something for this new one to think about. Seriously.
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The public records from Colin County show that all charges against him were dismissed on 11/8.
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No kidding. If what @ErinDH posted is correct, that SS has never questioned him, held a hearing of any sort or launched an investigation that might clear his name, then that needs to be addressed. Is there a reluctance to get an attorney and demand a retraction? Believe me, I know the wheels at SS turn very, very slowly. But as more people learn to check the SS list, they’re going to see Heineking’s name and only think the worst.
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