Well-known Quebec riding coach Francis Berger has been accused of sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching involving at least two young women between 2004 and 2022. The trainer from Mont-Saint-Hilaire (on the south shore of Montreal) was formally charged on December 5th. Le Journal de Montreal reported that according to court documents, the 54-year-old man exploited a minor victim and also sexually assaulted a young adult during that time.
Berger has been involved in the horse industry for over two decades. He has coached a number of talented young riders at South Shore Farm, of which he is a shareholder and sole director, including Bianca Lafontaine and Coraline Thibault. He was also in charge of the great jumper Hickstead’s reproductive career prior to the his death in 2011. He is the founder and president of EQUSS Intégral, a tack and equestrian equipment supply company.
Unidentified sources have claimed that Berger left for Florida the day after being charged, even though police suspect there may have been more victims.