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Equestrian sports have found a wide-stretched community across the world and more so in the culture of Switzerland. With more than 100,000 people regularly partaking in the activity, equestrian sport stands to be an integral part of Switzerland. Keeping along, to honor the importance in persistence, one of the Swiss authorities stepped ahead to maintain the growth following unkind revelations.

The Swiss equestrian body recently faced a lengthy situation of animal cruelty, culminating in an athlete’s suspension. The case called upon insights by Swiss Equestrian’s president, Damian Müller upon laws and and further visions for the sport.

The equestrian authority’s plans for the sport

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Damian Müller has been an attentive authority for the equestrian sport. Encouragement on team developments, launching of a new logo, or words of condolences for an athlete, the president has often shown enthusiasm and constant presence. This time around, following recent developments on Paul Estermann’s suspension of four years after appeal, Müller chimed in for insights.

The Swiss governing body made a finalized decision on Estermann’s suspension stating that the 4-year decision was final within the association’s jurisdiction. However, the equestrian still holds a chance to appeal within 30 days. Standing by the disciplinary committee, Müller announced improvised working groups. Evaluating laws, ensuring the sustainability of the sports, and zero tolerance towards violations of personal rights and animal welfare framed the president’s aim of development.

Furthermore, Müller also emphasized lending focus on ethics towards not just elite levels but also grassroots. Equnews International also added that Damian Müller wished to highlight ‘the importance of ethics in horse and athlete care as a pillar of Swiss Equestrian‘. Müller’s vision lays significance on going the other way of Estermann’s case details.

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The case of suspension

In 2017, Paul Estermann faced an initiation of legal proceedings. However, it wasn’t until November 2022, that the cantonal court of Lucerne delivered an irrevocable conviction. In April 2023, the Olympic show jumper Paul Estermann was issued a suspension of 7 years by the Sanctioning Committee (SAKO). The cause of the decision stemmed from the accusation of beating a horse with a whip that led to swelling and bleeding wounds.  

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“For SAKO, this underpins the behavior of the rider, who showed no insight and no remorse for his actions throughout the criminal proceedings,” the organization said in a statement. SAKO classified the equestrian’s behavior as ‘absolutely unacceptable‘ leading to the decision. The 60-year-old contested in the 2012 Olympics followed by the 2013 and 2015 European Championships. As per revised decisions, he will face a 4-year suspension until appeal within 30 days.

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