The FEI has opened disciplinary proceedings against USA Eventing Athlete Andrew McConnon (FEI ID/10071279), following allegations of horse abuse involving numerous horses over an extensive period of time. You can read EN’s timeline of this case here. In order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings, the FEI will not provide further comment […]
You can read EN’s timeline of this case here.
In order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings, the FEI will not provide further comment on this case at this time.
After this statement was released, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) stated that they will issue a reciprocal suspension of Andrew barring him from competing in USEA recognized events pending the outcome of the FEI investigation. Per the FEI release and US Equestrian regulations, the USEF will also issue a reciprocal suspension barring Andrew from any USEF-licensed competition pending the investigation outcome.
We will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they are made available.
The disciplinary proceedings against Mr. McConnon are in accordance with Article 30 of the Internal Regulations of the FEI Tribunal for multiple alleged breaches of the FEI General Regulations, including Article 142, which prohibits horse abuse.
Mr McConnon has been provisionally suspended, effective from the date of notification (January 8, 2025), meaning that he is suspended from participation in any events or activities related to the FEI and/or any National Federation, in whatever capacity, as long as his provisional suspension has not been lifted by the FEI Tribunal.
Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Information on this case is available here.
According to FEI regulations, “During the period of a Suspension the Person, Horse and/or body suspended may take no part in any Competition or Event and/or in any activities related to any Competition or Event, as an Athlete, Support Personnel, Horse and/or Official or in the organisation of, any Competition or Event under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any Competition or Event under the jurisdiction of an NF in accordance with the Statutes or in any FEI and/or NF related activity (e.g. FEI courses, meetings, General Assembly etc.). For the avoidance of any doubt, training FEI Athletes and/or FEI Horses (whether at FEI Events or anywhere else) is to be considered as an FEI related activity. Persons are entitled to train their own Horses at their own facilities or at private facilities (i.e. not linked to any FEI or national Events/trainings’ facilities).”