Translated from French:
Grooms denounce international rider for abuse
A few days ago, the Court of Arbitration for Sport imposed a suspension of eighteen months on an international professional rider, who had to say goodbye to the Olympic Games in Paris (+ information here) . Until then a member of the French team, this dressage rider has seen her suspension go from 3 months to 18 months. A sanction that was initially misunderstood, even perceived as “unfair” and disproportionate for some.
Adjusted judicial decision
Following her 3-month suspension from any competition last April, the rider decides to appeal. That’s when former employees (grooms and veterinarians) who worked for her decided to raise their voices.
A total of about 30 people reported on the mistreatment they witnessed. The Arbitration Court for Sports, following receipt of these letters, decided to increase the sentence and extend the suspension to a maximum of 18 months.
Accusations of abuse.
Among these 30 former employees, one of her grooms agreed to publicly denounce the equine and human abuse she witnessed (facts dating from spring to autumn 2023) . The abuse of horses would be as follows:
- Electric charges on horse tendons.
- Infiltrations every month for horses from 3 years of age.
- Use of a flange chain coupled to a spur strap to obtain exaggerated erectile movements by burn.
- Personal confection of bits of great hardness to further control the mouths of horses (which end up in blood) .
- Injections by itself of doping products during competitions once the anti-doping test has been passed (personal lockers) .
- Punch, kick, stick on the horses in their boxes.
- Blows on a horse of such intensity that led to his death.
- Use of electric collars on supporting horses
From a human point of view, according to our information:
- theft of the identity documents of its employees preventing them from leaving the workplace.
- Falsification of employment contracts, delay or absence of payment.
- Harassment and verbal and psychological abuse.
- Mental manipulation and isolation of employees.
- Non-compliance with the Labour Code in terms of leave and working hours.
- attempt at regular corruption to buy the silence of those who leave.
What are the federations doing?
Faced with these serious accusations, we question the role of federations, national and international in this case. A file tracing all these abuses would have been sent to the FFE and FEI by one of the bellies. One of the federations would then have denied the veracity of the facts. The second, would never have answered anything.
If these 30 bellies had not had the courage to denounce this rider to the judge of the Court of Arbitration for Sports, the latter could have represented France in the next Olympics.
The most disorienting thing is to understand that in the middle, this rider is known for this action. Isn’t it time for corruption, lies, and dubious supporters to stop in equestrian sports? What future for this rider after the end of her suspension? What will happen to his horses? Who will protect them?
It is high time, a few weeks before the Olympics, that we finally tackle high-level abuse issues.
