Isabell Werth's one-year expulsion from the German team has led to many reactions from dressage officials in Germany. In addition to her 6-month show suspension by the FEI, the German Olympic Sport Federation and German Equestrian Federation decided to suspend her for one year from competing on the German team.
"Being expelled from the team means that she will not take part in team competitions, but it does not mean these athletes can't do their profession," stated a press release published by the German Federation.
"I believe that Isabell Werth will be available again for the team for the CHIO Aachen and the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky after the birth of her baby and the ending of her suspension from the German team," said Klaus Röser, German chef d'equipe and chair of the German Olympic Equestrian Federation selection committee.
Breido Graf zu Rantzau, president of the German Equestian Federation, counts that Isabell Werth will be part of the German WEG team for Kentucky. "Of course we want her to be on the team for the World Championships. She will be allowed to compete in full form at that time," said Zu Rantzau.
Team trainer Holger Schmezer mentioned that "The last few years Isabell Werth only rode on the German team in Aachen and at the big championships anyway."
Werth's Swiss lawyer Ulf Walz commented, "This are pure power profiteering by the high profile officials," said Walz. "This is rule of law unworthy. They have ignored the normal hearing and defense procedures." As Walz has not yet received the official reason for expulsion, he can not take any legal steps just yet. "We're waiting," he said.
The Basel based Swiss laywer Ulf Walz is known as the "doping lawyer." He has represented riders, which were caught doping their horses, such as dressage rider Ulla Salzgeber and innumerable show jumpers such as Rene Tebbel, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Rodrigo Pessoa, Bernardo Alves, Leslie McNaught, Daniel Deußer, and Jessica Kürten.
Werth herself commented that, "the World Equestrian Games have always been my big goal. I'm waiting to see how all this develops. Now I'm just looking forward to my baby."
Related Links
Werth Additionally Suspended for One Year by German Equestrian Federation
FEI Tribunal Sentence: Isabell Werth Suspended for Six Months