Last year Austria's showjumper Bernhard Maier became a riot on the internet after a video showed up of his round at CSI Wiener Neustadt. With his horse Paddy's Darco (by Darco) he jumped a round with one fault after the other. Showing some unsportsmanlike behaviour towards his horse. Soon after it seemed that the rider was found guilty of maltreatment of another horse and he faced disciplinary proceedings bij Austria's Equestrian Federation.
Now Austria's Federation decided to suspend the rider for the next five years for all equestrian activities. He also has to pay a fine of 5000 euros and the entire costs of the procedure with a total of 1120 euros. Soon after the incident happend the rider was suspended for giving riding lessons.
The Federation states that Maier is found guilty at unsportsmanlike behaviour, unfair and excessive demans towards the horse. He is also found guilty for damaging the reputation of showjumping.
Maier said in a statement he will ask for an appeal against this decision. He also faces criminal proceedings.