Andrew Bourns holds hands up, but says four-month ban excessive

Show jumper Andrew Bourns has been suspended by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for four months for “excessively whipping” a horse.

The suspension began on January 1 and concerns an incident that occurred last March at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

The Galway rider told the Irish Examiner at the weekend that, while he understands he had to be punished, he did not feel a four-month suspension was justified.