New Jersey trainer Devin Ryan of River Run Stables will serve a six month suspension beginning April 1, as well as pay a $6,000 fine for animal welfare concerns.

The suspension stems from an incident at the 2015 Hampton Classic where steward Ralph Alfano filed charges of animal abuse against Ryan after noting suspicious leg wounds on one of his horses in the warm-up arena. An investigation followed and 5 horses were found to have the suspicious wounds. Hampton Classic director Shanette Barth Cohen asked Ryan to leave the grounds immediately.

Ryan served a temporary suspension from September 8, 2015 to October 1, 2015 for the same incident.

The complete ruling is as follows:

“DEVIN RYAN of Long Valley, NJ, violated Chapter 7, GR702 of Federation rules in that he entered five entries to compete at the Hampton Classic Horse Show held on August 23 – 30, 2015 in a condition that was not in the best interest of the welfare of the horses. For his violations of Federation rules, Mr. Ryan was fined $6,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j, and, pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1b and GR703.1f, will be found not in good standing, suspended from membership, and forbidden from the privilege of taking any part whatsoever in any Licensed Competition for six months, commencing on April 1, 2016 and terminating at midnight on October 31, 2016. During his suspension period, Mr. Ryan is excluded from all competition grounds during Licensed Competitions: (1) as an exhibitor, participant or spectator; (2) from participating in all Federation affairs and activities, (3) from holding or exercising office in the Federation or in any Licensed Competition; and (4) from attending, observing or participating in any event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee of the Federation, sponsored by or conducted by the Federation, or held in connection with the Federation and any of its activities. Any horse or horses owned, leased, or of any partnership, corporation or stable of his, or shown in his name or for his reputation, (whether such interest was held at the time of the alleged violation or acquired thereafter), are also suspended for the same time period pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1c.”