The case involves an appeal by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) and Cian O’Connor against a decision by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Appeal Committee, which upheld a ruling by the FEI Ground Jury during the European Jumping Championship in 2015. The dispute arose when an arena crew member interfered with O’Connor’s performance during Round 2 of the Team Final, causing his horse to knock down an obstacle and incur penalty points. This incident dropped O’Connor from 12th to 21st place, eliminating his chances for an individual medal and costing Ireland a qualification spot for the 2016 Olympics, which went to Spain instead. The appellants argued that the Ground Jury should have stopped the round under Articles 233.1 and 233.3 of the FEI Jumping Rules, which mandate intervention if unforeseen circumstances prevent an athlete from continuing. The Ground Jury, however, deemed O’Connor able to proceed, as the interference occurred before the next obstacle and the horse was not yet committed to jumping.
The case was brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where the appellants contended that the Ground Jury’s decision was ultra vires (beyond its authority) and improperly based on its own omission to act. They sought remedies such as Ireland replacing or being added as a qualifying team for the Olympics. The FEI countered that the decision fell under the "field of play doctrine," which protects referees’ on-the-spot judgments from judicial review unless there is evidence of bad faith, corruption, or arbitrariness. The CAS panel examined the principles of this doctrine, emphasizing its role in maintaining the integrity and finality of sporting competitions. It noted that field officials are best positioned to make such decisions due to their expertise and immediate perspective, and their judgments enjoy qualified immunity. The panel found no evidence of misconduct or procedural violations warranting intervention.
The CAS also addressed procedural aspects, including jurisdiction and admissibility. Both parties agreed to CAS jurisdiction under Swiss law, as the FEI is domiciled in Switzerland. The panel determined the appeal was admissible but focused on whether the decisions were field-of-play judgments. It concluded that the Ground Jury’s decision not to ring the bell was discretionary and reasonable under the rules. The panel acknowledged the unfortunate outcome for O’Connor and Ireland but stressed that the rules granted discretion to officials, and O’Connor had the option to halt voluntarily. The Appeal Committee’s review was also deemed proper, as it considered the relevant rules and circumstances.
Ultimately, the CAS dismissed the appeal, upholding the FEI’s decisions. The ruling reinforced the principle that field-of-play decisions are integral to sports governance and should not be overturned without clear evidence of misconduct. The case highlights the narrow scope for challenging such decisions and the importance of preserving officials’ authority. The panel expressed sympathy for the appellants but affirmed that the legal framework did not permit interference with the original rulings. The appeal was dismissed in its entirety, and the FEI Appeal Committee’s decision was confirmed.