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European Dressage
News
Open Letter from Former Olympic Riders on the
Swiss Olympic Upheaval
January 26, 2008
 This letter reveals what former Olympic participants
think of Silvia Ikle's Olympic withdrawal and the decision
of
the Swiss
Equestrian Federation not to send a team.
With great interest we have read the reader's letter
"Great Disappointment" by Mr. Christoph Ringier as
well as
the statement of
Mr. Jürgen Koschel in Pferwoche, the issue of January
16, 2008. Mr C. Ringier has been a long time, generous
and versatile sponsor of the Swiss dressage sport.
Mr. Jürgen Koschel was the national team trainer and
has announced his resignation after he heard about
the withdrawal of Switzerland from the Olympics. We
fully share the opinions of
both.
It is incomprehensible that Silvia Ikle delayed her
decision to withdraw both her horses Salieri and Romario
from Olympic participation until begin January 2008.
She has taken away every possibility for other team
members and for owners and sponsors to come forth with
a new Grand Prix horse. The rule says that a horse,
which wants to go for an Olympic berth, has to be in
Swiss ownership before 31st December 2007. It is unfair
towards the FEI, the Olympic committee, and the foreign
teams which still have the possibility to qualify.
The rash decision of the Swiss Equestrian Federation
not to send a team to Hong Kong without Silvia Ikle,
is very disappointing for the other team riders. They
have also trained and prepared for the Olympics. It
is the goal and dream of every rider to participate
at the Olympic Games. Of course we would have no chance
there for a top team placing without Ikle, but there
are also other nations which can not rely on one top
rider in their team.
After all, current team members such as Marie Line
Wettstein with Le Primeur, Marcela Krinke with Corinth
and Christian Plage with Regent have already scored
over 70% on multiple occassions. Elisabeth Eversfield
rides consistently up to 69% with Lion King, Simonne
Staub and Robespierre scored 69% in the Grand Prix
and 73% in the Kur at
the highly
visited CDI Stuttgart and achieved comparable results
at the CDI Stadl Paura. The young Patricia Scharli
scores 69% in the Special and 70% in the lur at the
Swiss Dressage Championships.
With this trend these
riders
would have been able to improve until August to obtain
an Olympic berth.
 This team withdrawal by the Swiss Equestrian Federation
is not in line with the Olympic spirit and does not
address the symbolism of the 5 Olympic rings!
It is know that Silvia Ikle announced after the Olympics
in Athens that she would not transport her horse to
China. She qualified Salieri twice for the World
Cup Finals in Las Vegas and withdrew from participating
there.
As arguments for her withdrawal, she listed the subtropic
climate, the long quarantaine time and the 11-hour
flight (we have to mention that the current comfort
for horses aboard an airplane is better
than ground transportation). All these facts have
been
known
since it was decided that the Olympic Games would be
held in Hong Kong. Also, a test event with horses
from Europe has taken place there last summer and the
results were communicated to the national federations.
Furthermore, air-conditioned stables and warm up ring
as well as a veterinary service for these special circumstances
are at the disposal of the riders.
Silvia Ikle's statement that she is acting out of
the welfare of her horses not to ride at the Olympics
casts a suspicious light on the dressage, show jumping
and eventing riders of the world and makes one wonder
whether they do not think about the welfare of their
horses.
We regret the hurried decision of the Swiss Equestrian
Federation not to allow a dressage rider to participate
in the Olympics.
26th January 2008
Signed by:
Doris Ramseier, Daniel Ramseier, Christinge Stückelberger,
Otto Hofer, Samuel Schatzmann, Amy Katrin de Bary,
Ruth Hunkeler, Barbara von Grebel, Beatrice Bürchler,
Hans Staub, Francoise Cantamessa.
Related Links
Jurgen Koschel Resigns as Swiss Dressage Team Trainer
Swiss Dressage Team Withdraws from Competing at the
2008 Olympics
Silvia Ikle Not to Compete at the 2008 Olympic Games
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