U.S. Show Jumper Receives 10-Year Suspension For Shocking Show Horses Sponsored by:
Jumper Andy Kocher, who has represented the United States in multiple international competitions, has received a 10-year suspension for using electric spurs on his horses. The ban was initiated by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the international governing body of horse sport.
An investigation was launched after the FEI was informed that Kocher had used an electric shock device on horses in multiple competitions. The FEI considers shocking a horse in any manner horse abuse.
The FEI Tribunal has suspended U.S. Jumping athlete Andrew Kocher for 10 years and disqualified him from eight events between June 2018 and November 2019 for using electric spurs on horses. The athlete has also been fined approximately US$11,000 and ordered to pay costs of approximately US$8,255.