Ellen and Jeremy Olson, well-known figures in US endurance, have each been suspended for 18 months by the FEI for forging a vet’s signature on horse passports.

The suspension is three times longer than the six months requested by the FEI legal department. FEI Tribunal member Martin Gibbs said six months was “too light” bearing in mind the Olsons’ failure to engage in FEI proceedings, and that they had also been charged in their home state of Iowa, where falsifying such records is a criminal offence.

Dr. Katie Weigman (now Merkes) reported the Olsons to the FEI after noticing something “fishy” in the passports. She said her signature had been forged several times, including after she had gone on maternity leave.

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