Olympic trip Evi Strasser and daughter provisionally suspended

Canadian Olympic dressage rider Evi Strasser and her daughter Tanya Strasser-Shostak have been provisionally suspended by Equestrian Canada (EC) and the FEI.

An EC spokesman confirmed to H&H that as of 17 February the pair have been provisionally suspended from all EC-related enterprise, actions, and occasions pending the completion of an investigation.

In a joint assertion Evi and Tanya acknowledged that an “unsupported allegation” was obtained by EC from a previous worker of their enterprise Good Tyme Stables who was “terminated a number of years in the past for her unprofessional and improper conduct”.

“Since 2018, that former worker, who claims to be a competitor of ours, has engaged in a marketing campaign of libel and slander in opposition to us, requiring us to ship two stop and desist letters to that individual in 2020 and 2023,” learn the assertion.

“Sadly, this individual has now determined to escalate her assaults upon us, by making a criticism to EC for allegations arising in 2017. We strongly deny the allegations by this disgruntled ex-employee. We’re defending this matter vigorously, by our authorized counsel. As our buddies and equestrian neighborhood members know, defending such allegations is a tough and generally prolonged course of. We admire the sort phrases of help we’ve got obtained, and proceed to obtain, as we work by this tough time.”

Pictured Tanya Strasser-Shostak.

The EC spokesman stated that the governing physique can’t remark particularly on instances at present open with the unbiased third occasion that handles EC complaints.

“All allegations of misconduct are obtained by EC’s third-party complaints course of. If EC receives a report from our unbiased third-party complaints supervisor concerning a criticism they’ve obtained that’s severe in nature, the respondents are provisionally suspended,” stated the spokesman.

“To guard the integrity of the method, EC is just not offered additional particulars till it’s full and a choice is rendered.”

The spokesman added that EC asks its neighborhood and the general public to “help the complaints course of and permit it to do its job in coming to a good and expeditious decision for all events concerned”.

“Anybody that has witnessed or has affordable grounds to imagine {that a} human or horse is struggling or has suffered abuse in our sport, is obligated to report it and we encourage them to report their considerations,” stated the spokesman.

Evi represented Canada on the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and the 2006 World Equestrian Video games in Aachen. The 60-year-old continues to compete at high stage, and on 9 February was ninth within the freestyle on her 16-year-old gelding Disney Tyme at a World Cup qualifier in Wellington, Florida. Tanya can also be a global grand prix rider, and final yr competed on the younger horse World Championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands.

An FEI spokesman advised H&H that the FEI was knowledgeable of the provisional suspensions, and has carried out them at FEI stage. H&H requested if the FEI is launching its personal investigation and the spokesman stated the FEI will “first liaise with EC”.

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has lined a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and street security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fortress Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.