For the Tribunal of the World Equestrian Federation FEI there is no doubt: Show jumper Andrew Kocher is found guilty of mistreating his horses with electrically charged spurs in several tournaments and in training.
The ruling sends out a strong signal: The American is given a 10-year ban! In addition, the 38-year-old collects a fine of 10,000 francs and has to pay the procedural costs of 7,500 francs.
Several suspicious photos
From the beginning: The French trade magazine “Grand Prix Replay” will get the case rolling in summer 2020. The journalists get an insider tip that Kocher rides with a device that enables him to shock the horse with his spurs.
Photos are used as clues, showing how the show jumper holds a kind of push button between the reins. Its wires, which are passed under the clothing, are connected to the spurs. “Grand Prix Replay” evaluates photos from various agencies from 2019 and 2018 and recognizes suspicious elements in his hand – on five different horses.
Kocher’s excuse: an intrigue
Confronted with this, Kocher – after all a World Cup finalist in 2018 – defends himself and wants to make it credible that he is the victim of an intrigue by a person who wants to harm him through legal disputes. This person is also ready to manipulate photos.
But that doesn’t help him: The FEI is investigating the allegations and opening a case against the US equestrian star in October 2020 and immediately suspending him. This will now be credited to Kocher – so he is now suspended until October 27, 2030! Until then, he is not only not allowed to ride a tournament, but not even visit one as a spectator. The punished person still has a few days to appeal the judgment to the International Court of Justice for Sports (CAS).