Jumper rider and trainer Christian Heineking, 43, Aledo, Texas, who was jailed last month on one charge of sexual assault of a child, a second-degree felony, last week had his temporary suspension changed to ineligibility by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, due to the criminal charges against him. 

Heineking had a court date Tuesday, June 27, in Collins County, Texas, on a sexual assault charge stemming from a December 2010 incident. 

Heineking, a German show jumper based in Texas, was actively competing at the grand prix level until he was given a temporary suspension on Jan. 30 by SafeSport for “allegations of misconduct.” He was suspended by the U.S. Equestrian Federation at the same time, and the Fédération Equestre Internationale reciprocated the suspension.

His personal status was changed to ineligible on Monday, July 26, and the status of his Heineking Show Stables was changed to permanently ineligible, subject to appeal, by USEF on the same day.

Heineking is the second Texas trainer to face criminal charges related to child sexual assault in recent months.

In March, a jury convicted Dylan Harries, 53, a Houston-area hunter trainer who was made ineligible by the U.S. Center for SafeSport in 2020, on felony charges of child sexual assault and having indecent sexual contact with a child, reportedly a former student who was 15 at the time. He was given probation rather than jail time and deported back to his native New Zealand earlier this year.