Swiss Equestrian has decided to suspend experienced show jumper Paul Estermann from participating in equestrian events for a period of four years. This decision follows a lengthy legal case in which Estermann was found guilty of repeated intentional animal cruelty, as determined by the cantonal court of Lucerne.
Estermann's suspension stems from a legal process initiated in 2017, culminating in November 2022 when the cantonal court of Lucerne handed down an irrevocable conviction. The case, focused on instances of intentional animal cruelty, resulted in an initially proposed seven-year suspension by the Sanktionskommission of Swiss Equestrian.
Upon Estermann's appeal, Swiss Equestrian's disciplinary body recently decided to reduce the suspension to a period of four years. This revision was based on the judgment of the cantonal court of Lucerne, which categorized the offense as moderately severe. The chairman of the disciplinary body, Carl-Gustav Mez, stated that the revised decision also took into account various mitigating factors, as previously noted by the Sanktionskommission.
Since June 20, 2023, Paul Estermann has been under preventive suspension, and this period will be credited towards the imposed suspension. The disciplinary body emphasized, however, that this decision is final within the association's jurisdiction. Nevertheless, Estermann has the option to appeal to a civil court within 30 days.
Swiss Equestrian's president, Damian Müller, has acknowledged the disciplinary body's decision and announced that the board will form a working group. This group will evaluate association law in the coming months, with a specific focus on ethical issues in both grassroots and elite sports. Müller emphasized the importance of ethics in horse and athlete care as a pillar of Swiss Equestrian. He aims for the association's development to secure a robust position and ensure the future sustainability of equestrian sports, with a commitment to zero tolerance for violations of personal rights and animal welfare within the association.
Source: SVSP