Werth criticizes German NF

Monday, 29 June 2009 07:47

Five-time Olympic dressage gold medalist Isabell Werth accused the German equestrian federation Saturday of failing to support her after she was suspended over her horse's failed doping test.

The 39-year-old German said she had been legally medicating her horse, Whisper, despite a positive test for the sedative fluphenazine at a tournament on May 30.

The Olympic champion said she feels "pushed into a corner that I don't belong in. I'm not a criminal."

"It would be nice to know that the federation also supports one in tough times," Werth told Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper. "I don't have that feeling at the moment."

Werth accepted her suspension from the International Equestrian Federation over the failed doping test but accused the German federation of issuing conflicting doping regulations.

"The lists of permitted medication are different at the national and international levels," Werth said. "That does not make it any easier for us."

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