ISABELL WERTH SUSPENDED AFTER HORSE TESTS POSITIVE

By Melanie Huggett

Germany’s triple Olympic gold medalist in dressage, Isabell Werth, has been suspended after her horse Whisper tested positive for fluphenazine, a banned substance, at an international tournament in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 30, 2009.

The German Equestrian Federation (FN) said Werth has been suspended by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) pending examination of her B sample. She faces a two-year ban if the second sample is also positive.

Fluphenazine is usually prescribed to humans with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as an antipsychotic medication. In horses, it has a sedative effect and is typically given to control unwanted behaviour.

The suspension is another huge blow to the German FN, who recently disbanded its national teams in order to tackle illegal practices among team members. "This is a catastrophe for equestrian sport, but we will not let ourselves be discouraged by the bad news and will continue along the road for fair equestrian sport," German federation president Breido zu Rantzau said.

An FEI tribunal will address Werth’s case on June 25, 2009.

Photo: Isabell Werth most recently placed second at the World Cup FInals in Las Vegas riding Satchmo. Kit Houghton/FEI