The Swedish Equestrian Federation has decided to suspend show jumper Douglas Lindelöw. The rider has been aggressive with one of his 7-year-old horses during and after the 1.30m class in Helsingborg. The mal-use of the horse is now sanctioned with a suspension of two months. Lindelöw is nevertheless critical towards the way the case has been handled, stating that the legal proceedings before the Committee has been based solely on written accounts as well as hear-say from individuals that he has not even gotten to know the identity of. The descriptions made in these written accounts are in Lindelöw’s opinion – especially when compared to the statements made by individuals supporting Lindelöw’s version of the story – far more serious than the reality. In the open letter, the Swedish rider goes on to state that there are many good reasons for why normal courts operate with a principal of conducting proceedings orally. Lindelöw writes that in a case like this, with such grave consequences – where suspension is involved – it can not be unreasonable to ask that the parties and witnesses be heard orally and not written. Written accounts do not provide the opportunity to ask questions to the individual that gives the information, and there is a risk that both the information and how it is interpreted by the reader can be exaggerated – the open letter goes on. Because of the decision Lindelöw won't compete at the international show in Stockholm. The mal-use of his horse was confirmed by the competition vet who explained Lindelöw was riding with oversized spurs.
The Swedish Equestrian Federation has decided to suspend show jumper Douglas Lindelöw. The rider has been aggressive with one of his 7-year-old horses during and after the 1.30m class in Helsingborg. The mal-use of the horse is now sanctioned with a suspension of two months. Lindelöw is nevertheless critical towards the way the case has been handled, stating that the legal proceedings before the Committee has been based solely on written accounts as well as hear-say from individuals that he has not even gotten to know the identity of. The descriptions made in these written accounts are in Lindelöw’s opinion – especially when compared to the statements made by individuals supporting Lindelöw’s version of the story – far more serious than the reality. In the open letter, the Swedish rider goes on to state that there are many good reasons for why normal courts operate with a principal of conducting proceedings orally. Lindelöw writes that in a case like this, with such grave consequences – where suspension is involved – it can not be unreasonable to ask that the parties and witnesses be heard orally and not written. Written accounts do not provide the opportunity to ask questions to the individual that gives the information, and there is a risk that both the information and how it is interpreted by the reader can be exaggerated – the open letter goes on. Because of the decision Lindelöw won't compete at the international show in Stockholm. The mal-use of his horse was confirmed by the competition vet who explained Lindelöw was riding with oversized spurs.