The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) announced it has opened an investigation into American eventer Andrew McConnon related to allegations of horse abuse involving several horses over an extended period of time.

The disciplinary proceedings against McConnon, 38, were sparked by multiple alleged breaches of the FEI General Regulations, including Article 142, which prohibits horse abuse.

In 2024, videos surfaced on social media allegedly showing McConnon riding a horse and striking it multiple times in the head. Reports of abuse to the FEI and other governing sport bodies came from people who allegedly worked for McConnon and witnessed multiple instances of horse abuse over time.

Due to the investigation, McConnon has been suspended from competition by the FEI, and subsequently, also the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the United States Eventing Association, effective this month. No decision has been made yet in the ongoing case. McConnon will be granted an opportunity to appeal any decision.

The FEI said it will not provide further information on the case at this time to “ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.” More information about McConnon’s case will be updated here as details become available.

“We support the decision made by the FEI to thoroughly investigate this matter,” shared USEA CEO Rob Burk, “and the USEA will continue to cooperate with both the USEF and FEI, the governing bodies that hold responsibility for investigations and disciplinary proceedings under the rules of our sport.”

Shortly before the 2024 Olympics, British dressage darling Charlotte Durjardin withdrew from the Paris Games as video surfaced of her that alleged horse abuse. On December 5, the FEI issued a one-year suspension for Dujardin related to the case.

Allegations against McConnon were shared with the FEI earlier in 2024, and it took eight months for the organization to formally announce an investigation and issue a suspension.

McConnon competed last year at the Defender Burghley CCI5*-L on a Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant, awarded by the U.S. Eventing Association Foundation, after abuse allegations had already been shared with governing sport bodies. At the time, an FEI spokesperson confirmed McConnon was under investigation but did not provide further details.

McConnon, based in North Carolina, is a lifelong equestrian who has competed as a professional in three-day eventing and show jumping since 2011, according to his biography on the USEF website. McConnon had success early in his career, including third-place finishes in the CCI2*-S at Chattahoochee Hills with Fernhill Tic Tac in 2013, and with Ziggy in 2014. He spent two years working for William Fox-Pitt in Great Britain, where he also competed and completed the CCI2*-L at Houghton Hall with Andarilho in 2017.

More recently, McConnon won the USEA Young Event Horse-5 divisions at Full Gallop Farm and Five Points Horse Trials in 2019. He also won the Virginia Horse Trials CCI-1* in 2020. That same year, McConnon was named to the Adequan® USEF Futures Team Challenge with Ferrie’s Cello.

Those concerned about horse abuse are always encouraged to report to the USEF. Click here for more information.