Statement from Equestrian Australia - 28 August 2026

Equestrian Australia takes all allegations of horse welfare breaches seriously and is committed to upholding the highest standards of horse welfare across the sport.

In June 2025, Equestrian Australia received a report of an alleged horse welfare breach and, upon notification, reported the matter to the FEI for investigation, in accordance with its adoption of the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse. At the same time, EA provisionally suspended the person in question, Heath Ryan, pending the investigation's findings. 

On Friday August 28, the FEI Tribunal issued its Final Decision, finding that Mr Ryan engaged in horse abuse and breached the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse. The Tribunal imposed an 18-month suspension, backdated to the date of his provisional suspension on 12 June 2025, meaning the suspension will end on 12 December 2026. Mr Ryan was also ordered to pay a fine and contribute toward the FEI's legal costs.

The full FEI Tribunal decision can be read here: 2026.08.27_Final Decision Merits Heath Ryan C25-0035 (2025_HA2).pdf

Equestrian Australia accepts the FEI's final decision and will now review the full Tribunal Decision in detail to determine if any further action is required under the Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework and EA Member Code of Conduct and Welfare of Horse Policies.

Equestrian Australia encourages anyone with concerns about horse welfare within our sport to come forward. Reports can be made confidentially through Sport Integrity Australia or EA's welfare reporting channels here.