The Dutch showjumper Peter Bulthuis got a fine of 2.000 Swiss francs for horse abuse. The Tribunal of the FEI decided this. The fine is the results of a complaint of the Italian owners of the abused horse. Maria Saracino and her daughter Giorgia Ladisa went to the FEI themselves because the believed their horse, Corrado, had been abused. She accused Bulthuis of dealing with the horse in a 'violent and brutal' way. The facts occurred in January this year and when to horse came home, Corrado would have shown signs of violence. Bulthuis stated that the horse crashed onto the pony of his son during lunging. The owners however didn't believe his explanation and went to the FEI after all. The FEI involved the FEI veterinary departement. Vets examined the case and concluded that the horse indeed showed signs of abuse. It's only the second time in history that the tribunal has to intervene in a dispute between two individual parties.
