International show jumping champion Rich Fellers, Oregon City, Oregon, was added to the U.S. Center For SafeSport’s suspension list on Feb. 9. His wife, jumper rider Shelley Fellers, was also added. Their violations are listed as “allegations of misconduct“ and the action taken as “temporary suspension” with a no contact directive.

In 2012, Rich won the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (the Netherlands) aboard Flexible, and he went on to represent the United States at the London Olympic Games that same year. Rich, 61, and Shelley, 54, run Rich Fellers Stables LLC out of Timberline Meadows in Oregon City.

Rich’s former student, junior rider Maggie Kehring, came forward publicly after Rich and Shelley’s names were added to the suspension list, and her lawyer Russ Prince sent the following statement to The Chronicle of the Horse.

“I moved to Oakland Stables in Wellington, Florida, in late 2020 to continue my training,” said Kehring, 18. “Since arriving Darragh Kenny and Hardin Towell have been nothing short of amazing. They have provided me a safe place to train and grow as a rider. While I understand everyone wants to discuss and speculate about my previous trainer, and the circumstances under which I departed, please don’t. My family and I would appreciate everyone allowing us our privacy. At this point I have participated in the process that was available to me, answered the questions asked by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and I am moving forward with my full focus on my riding and the wonderful opportunities in front of me.”

A phone call to Rich was not immediately returned. The Fellerses’ lawyer, Howard Jacobs, declined to comment on the matter.

Update: Feb. 9 4:10 p.m.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation provided the following statement to The Chronicle of the Horse regarding the suspension.

“USEF takes allegations of misconduct very seriously, and will enforce the temporary suspensions put in place by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, but, most importantly, respect the privacy and confidentiality of the process for all parties involved.”