dressage
“Must be allowed” – Olympic champion Isabell Werth defends the use of double bridles, spurs and whips
According to Werth, curbs, saddles, spurs and whips are all part of competitive sport with horses
© IMAGO / osnapix
Dressage rider Isabell Werth has criticized the way the German Equestrian Federation deals with animal rights activists. For them, curbs, spurs and whips are part of competitive sport with horses.
The seven-time dressage Olympic champion IsabellWerth has attacked the German Equestrian Federation (FN) for dealing with criticism from animal rights activists. “The fact is that the public relations work is inadequate,” Werth told the specialist magazine “St. Georg”. “Why don’t we manage to show that we do sports. We demand performance, yes, we explore boundaries.” Most recently, there had been criticism of competitive sport with horses, especially from the animal welfare organization Peta.
“Category of Cruelty to Animals”
Werth continued: “If we demand performance from a horse, then we must also be allowed to act and react. This includes a double bridle, a saddle, spurs and a whip.” In the opinion of the dressage star, “you have to be able to explain transparently without being pigeonholed as animal cruelty. And that was completely missed.” She accuses the association: “Just don’t say anything, you could sting a wasp’s nest. In my opinion, that’s the completely wrong tactic.”
“It speaks for Isabell Werth that she takes a critical look at current developments in equestrian sport. That’s what Isabell Werth stands for and that distinguishes her. We do the same. That’s why we take her criticism seriously and will seek an exchange with her,” explained one Association spokeswoman on dpa request.