A Disturbance in the Force: German Mannschaft Tested on Doping

Sun, 08/25/2002 - 00:00
German Dressage News

One week before the start of the World Equestrian Games in Spain, there is a big disturbance in the German WEG Dressage Team. None of the WEG team members chose to compete at the CDI Munster, aiming to spare their horses for the big show and to avoid doping tests.

At the German Dressage Championships in Mannheim, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff's Renoir Unicef was claimed to be tested positive on doping, but in a press release the German Olympic Equestrian Committee (DOKR) denied this rumour. They acknowledged that before Mannheim, Renoir Unicef was treated with a prophylaktic regeneration treatment by Linsenhoff's own veterinary in co-operation with the team vet Dr. Bjorn Nolting.

The standard procedure includes that all short listed horses undergo a blood test after the German Championships but there seems to have been a communication breakdown between Linsenhoff's veterinary and the DOKR about the testing of Renoir after his regeneration treatment. Renoir Unicef was, therefore, tested again at the CDI Donaueschingen and the results turned out to be negative. To prevent further tests, both Nadine Capellmann and Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff opted only to ride the Grand Prix at the CDI Donaueschingen and no further tests.

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