The FEI Tribunal has come to a verdict in the positive doping case of Isabell Werth's Whisper. The sentence is a six month suspension from all competitions. The official sentence started with the provisional suspension on 23rd June 2009 and will last till 22nd December 2009. The suspension will become active if the rider chooses not to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Werth has thirty days to appeal. She will also need to pay a penalty of 3,500 Swiss Francs.
"The sentence is as strict as in similar cases. It concerns a doping case and it is logical that we accept this verdict," said Sönke Lauterbach, secretary general of the German Equestrian Federation.
Isabell Werth commented, "I'm happy the verdict is finally there. Now I can look forward to my baby and concentrate on my pregnancy."
On 30th May 2009, Isabell Werth's Hanoverian gelding Whisper tested positive to the doping substance Fluphenazine, which her vet Dr. Stihl had administered to Whisper for his Shivering Syndrome. Werth had a hearing with the FEI Tribunal on 25th June 2009.
The FEI published the following statement:
A panel of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal has taken its decision in the Equine Anti-Doing and Medication Control Rule case involving the horse Whisper 156 ridden by Isabell Werth (GER). Consistent with the FEI’s strict liability approach to anti-doping rule violations, the panel has found Isabell Werth responsible for the doping of her horse Whisper 156 at CDI 4* Wiesbaden (GER) on 29 May 2009 and has suspended her from FEI competition for a period of six (6) months until 22 December 2009. Isabell Werth is also fined CHF 1,500 and ordered to pay CHF 2,000 to cover the legal costs of the Tribunal proceedings. Isabell Werth has 30 days to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
Was vielleicht negativ bewertet wird, das ist eine große Chance, und eine Gnade,
AntwortenLöschenzu reflektieren über den Weg, den man geht. Ich wünsche ihr sehr, dass sie über
diese Zeit mit dem Wunder der Geburt, viel an Reife gewinnt.
I know Isabelle from the Spanish Riding School. She's a great person! I too wish her all the best with her baby, her family and her horses!
AntwortenLöschenThe German FN has added another year to Isabell's FEI suspension. She cannot compete on the team until June 2010... what are they thinking? :-(
AntwortenLöschenStory here: http://eurodressage.com/news/dressage/germany/2009/werth-suspension.html
This is going too far. The first suspension, although I disagreed with it, was more in line with what occured. Adding another year is simply a show of power on the German FN's part.
AntwortenLöschenDo you think so? Reading that article, the drug which was administered is not even licenced for use in horses and may have harmful effects on the horse. Is it right that horses should be given such medication so that they can compete? Ethically, I think not. Ms Werth has been competing at international level for many, many years, and as such, should know the rules about banned substances. She made a mistake, and it's only right that she should pay for it. Especially when it may involve suffering for her horse.
AntwortenLöschenSorry, but the things that horses have to suffer in the name of competitive dressage make me unspeakably angry, and I'm glad that the authorities are starting to take a tough line. Next step, rollkur....??
Das zeigt doch, dass Unsicherheit herrscht, einmal zu wenig, dann drastisch, man befürchtet Kritik, die überall sich zu Wort meldet..mit Recht. Das ist aber eine neunköpfige Schlange, der eine Kopf fällt, es wachsen gleich zwei daraus hervor, zu weit ist der Sport
AntwortenLöschenhineingeraten in den Erfolgsdruck.
Was sagen die alten Griechen? -Nichts allzusehr...wie weise.