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German
Dressage News
Rusty Tested Positive To Doping
July 3, 2003
 Ulla
Salzgeber's Rusty has been tested positive to doping
at the 2003 World Cup Dressage Finals in Goteborg. The
horse's urine, which was analyzed right after the Finals,
was positive to the hormone testosterone. The results
of the B-test of the urine are not yet known. If they
prove to be positive as well, Ulla Salzgeber will be
suspended from competition and 'abdicated' from the
German A-team.
The German Equestrian Federation and Ulla Salzgeber
clarified the situation in an official press release.
They explained the situation as follows. Salzgeber's
veterinarian Hans Stihl treated Rusty with a testosterone
based ointment for a skin disease on March 14, 2003.
This treatment took place in the absence of Ulla Salzgeber,
who was at the time competing at the CDI Dortmund with
Wallstreet. German dressage team vet Bjorn Nolting was
not informed of this treatment by Mr Stihl, even though
Nolting and Stihl uphold a strict reciprocal communication.
Mr Stihl knew that Rusty would be competing in Goteborg
and was aware that he would be tested. Stihl did not
expect that the substance of the ointment would be functioning
at the time of the World Cup. Dr Stihl is a highly respected
veterinarian and has been treating Rusty for more than
seven years.
Ulla Salzgeber is shocked by the news. "My world
has collapsed. Only one year ago I publicly reacted
against doping and now I am being accused of using it.
Everything I worked and fought for the last eight years
is now being questioned. All results that I achieved
with Rusty, are now being put in a different perspective.
I was fully aware that Rusty would be tested on doping
if I won the World Cup Finals, so it would have been
crazy of me to manipulate the situation right before
the Finals. And even if Rusty was not healthy for the
Finals, I could have taken Wallstreet who also qualified
for the Finals. It is my only option to do everything
I can in order to clarify the situation."
Image copyrighted: Astrid
Appels/Phelpsphotos
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