Show steward Birgitte Tribler has been acquitted of libel in connection with her report on Anders Sjobeck Hoeck riding too hard in the warm-up of the Danish Warmblood mare performance test in August 2023.
Ridehesten reported in detail on the case.
One Year Suspension
In the summer of 2023 Danish dressage rider Anders Uve Sjøbeck Hoeck got suspended for one year from all Danish warmblood related competitions and events following a disciplinary hearing on 31 August 2023 held by the DWB disciplinary committee
The hearing came after Hoeck getting disqualified from participating in the Danish warmblood Region 2 mare saddle test on 19 August 2023.
Birgitte Tribler, the technical delegate of the Danish Riding Association at this show, wrote in her report that Hoeck's riding in the warm-up of mare JJ Sophie (by Sezuan x Sandro hit) was "violent and unacceptable." His riding was deemed not following the rules of the Danish Warmblood Code of Conduct, which states "in all dealings with the horse, consideration for the horse's welfare must take precedence over everything else."
Danish warmblood explained at the time, "Anders several times disregarded the TD's recommendation to "tone down" his riding, so the judges chose to disqualify Anders at the saddle test."
Libel Case
Hoeck served his one-year suspension from Danish warmblood activities, but the family decided to sue Tribler as a private individual in civil court for for libel under Section 269 of the Danish Penal Code on defamation.
Ridehesten wrote that, "according to Anders Uve Sjøbeck Hoeck's lawyer, there is no evidence that the information in the report is true, and it is argued that Birgitte Tribler did not act in good faith."
Hearing
Two court hearings were held, the last one in Næstved, Denmark, on 31 October 2025. A 2.5-hour hearing took place.
At the hearing the courtroom had the general secretary of the Danish Equestrian Federation, Jens-Erik Majlund, in attendance alongside several technical delegates and Pernille Tribler, daughter of Birgitte Tribler. The Hoeck family was also present with father Hans Jørgen Hoeck in the audience supporting his son Anders Uve Sjøbeck Hoeck. Hans Jørgen and Anders run stud farm Hesselhøj.
Witnesses were heard, including Ole Jørgen Jørgentvedt (owner of JJ Sophie) and Anders (the rider). The video of the warm-up at the mare performance test was shown and heavily discussed, including the sound quality (was it a whip, a pat, or vocal?), angles and blind spots of the camera, and whether a horse was approaching JJ Sophie too closely or not.
Tribler's lawyer pointed out in his procedure that the case could have far-reaching consequences for equestrian sport's volunteering officials. "If the opposing party is successful, it could deter many from taking on the role of technical delegate or official for fear of being sued," the lawyer stated.
Acquittal
The judge ruled on 26 November 2025 and acquitted Tribler.
Tribler commented to Ridehesten: "With this decision we send a signal to other officials that it pays to stand firm on what you see. Our job is to communicate and enforce the regulations, and we are trained to react precisely when something is not as it should be."
The Danish Equestrian Federation issued a press release yesterday with Jens-Erik Majlund stating, "There is no doubt that it is an inhumanly hard process to be personally accused and sued for a piece of correct and well-executed work. Especially considering that the work that was questioned was voluntary work, was carried out by a very experienced official with more than 20 years of experience in the role of technical delegate - and who was also loaned by the Danish Riding Federation to the Danish Warmblood on the occasion of the saddle test."
The court decision can be appealed. At this point it is not yet known whether the rider in question chooses to do so.
Related Link
Danish Warmblood Suspends Anders Sjobeck Hoeck for One Year after Disciplinary Hearing