Defying its own rules, the German Federation has declared Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty for the German team for the European Dressage Championships (Hickstead, 13-17 August), despite an unresolved positive dope test.
They will be joined on the team by Klaus Husenbeth (Piccolino), Heike Kemmer (Bonaparte) and former Olympic champion Isabell Werth (Satchmo). Reserve is Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff with Renoir-Unicef.
A urine test taken from Rusty at the World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, in March tested positive for testosterone, a prohibited substance under International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules.
At the beginning of July, the German Federation said that if the case was not cleared in time for Hickstead, Ulla and Rusty would not be selected.
Ulla, who has provided an explanation for the positive test, has secured the services of top lawyer Ulf Walz. He has successfully argued that the German Federation should not stop her from competing.
Ulf Walz has fought for riders in several high-profile cases against the sport’s governing bodies, including the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Although the FEI has confirmed that the A test was positive, Ulla has so far failed to have the second (or B test) analysed.
| Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s in-depth preview of the forthcoming European Dressage Championships in this week’s issue (7 August).
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