FEI launches its own investigation into allegations of abuse. Evi and Tanya Strasser, CAS temporarily lifts the suspension

The FEI has officially launched its own investigation into allegations of horse abuse against Canadian dressage duo Evi and Tanya Strasser.

The FEI officially announced the start of her suspension on April 22, 2024, stating that the case was an “open investigation into horse abuse.” Less than a month ago, CAS temporarily lifted the suspension so they could compete at CDI Ocala next weekend.

Equestrian Sports Canada

On February 17, 2024, Equestrian Canada provisionally suspended the Strasser duo after “allegations of misconduct” were received “Through EC’s third-party appeal process. If EC receives a report from our Independent Third Party Complaints Manager (ITP) regarding a complaint received that is of a serious nature, the respondents will be provisionally suspended.”

The Stassers are both listed as “not in good standing” on the Safe Sport section of Equestrian Canada’s website.

The FEI followed suit on February 18, 2024 and also provisionally suspended the two.

“It is common practice at the FEI to respond to (provisional) suspensions from national federations at FEI level and vice versa. Which body implements the ban first generally depends on the higher jurisdiction,” the FEI told Eurodressage at the time.

FEI launches its own investigation

On the FEI’s suspension table, the Strassers are now officially suspended from April 22, 2024. It has launched its own investigation.

“The individuals concerned were informed on April 22, 2024 that the FEI had opened an investigation against them into allegations of horse abuse.” an FEI spokesperson told Eurodressage. “At the time of notification, the individuals in question were also provisionally suspended by the FEI. Taking into account the nature and seriousness of the allegations, which were also reported directly to the FEI, and the fact that the individuals are active FEI athletes, the FEI has made a decision.” The FEI will not provide any further details or comment until the investigation is completed.”

Equestrian Canada has not released an update on its investigation. It told Eurodressage that “we have no further information available at this time as the independent complaints procedure is ongoing and remains confidential – including to EC.” I will be able to comment.

Eurodressage contacted Strasser shortly after April 22, who confirmed that her lawyer Jean-Marc Mckenzie would be issuing a statement. Several inquiries and attempts were made, but no offer or comment was ever received.

CAS temporarily lifts suspension

In the FEI’s updated Table of Suspensions, published on May 17, the Strasser duo was removed. They will also no longer be saved as blocked in the FEI rider database.

On May 8, the Strassers submitted an application to the FEI Arbitration Tribunal through their legal counsel to have the provisional bans lifted. On May 14th the FEI confirmed the provisional suspensions.

On May 15, 2024, the Strassers applied to the Court of Arbitration (CAS) for an urgent application to lift the provisional bans because they had attempted to apply for the CDI Ocala from May 22 to 26, 2024 as part of their selection process for the Canadian Olympic team.

On May 15, CAS granted them interim measures and temporarily lifted the interim suspensions.

The FEI “now has additional time to submit a more comprehensive response so that a final decision on lifting the interim suspension will be made in the next few days,” a spokesperson for the FEI’s legal department wrote. “The FEI still believes that the temporary bans must be reintroduced (…). The FEI still hopes that the CAS understands that the matter is very serious and that the CAS will ultimately confirm that the FEI is authorized to do so.” (…) The final result will be decided by the FEI Tribunal, with respect by CAS, decided.

TH

related links
FEI suspends Evi and Tanya Strasser pending the commission’s investigation into the misconduct
Evi and Tanya Strasser make a statement about the temporary suspension
Evi and Tanya Strasser provisionally suspended due to allegations of misconduct