A verdict on US event rider Amy Tryon’s alleged abuse of her horse, Le Samurai, at Rolex Kentucky is expected within one month.
A hearing into Amy’s alleged abuse took place at the headquarters of equestrian sport’s governing body in Switzerland yesterday (25 June).
The judicial committee of International Equestrian Federation (FEI) gathered in Lausanne to listen to evidence from Amy Tryon.
Also giving evidence during the hearing was: US team trainer Capt Mark Phillips, chairman of the FEI eventing committee Wayne Roycroft, FEI director of eventing Catrin Norinder, FEI veterinary director Frits Sluyter, Karen O’Connor and Rebecca Broussard.
Amy Tryon, a US team rider, finished the cross-country course on Le Samurai at the Rolex Kentucky three-day event on 28 April, despite the gelding going badly lame approaching the final fence.
Afterwards, Le Samurai was found to have “lost the supporting ligaments in his front leg” and he was eventually put down on Saturday, 5 May.
The event was broadcast live, and a clip of the moment the horse went lame was later posted on YouTube, causing furore and debate worldwide.
Amy was immediately disqualified by the event’s organisers and official reports and video evidence passed to the FEI for Monday’s hearing.
FEI spokesman Malian Gueorguiev told H&H: “Any case of abuse is serious and has to be sanctioned adequately.”
