Furthermore, the federation states that: "We want to set an example for other sports and sports federations. To be forced to adapt our own selection through legal facts, defies all imagination and would be a failure for any sport at this level."
In addition, the federation emphasizes that the coaches weighed the riders and proposed the team. "The selectors were fully supported by the Jumping Committee. The selection was based on past performances, past experience in major championships, freshness and fitness of the horses and prospects for the near future. These criteria have also used by all other coaches in the past, and they have proven to be successful," it is written in the press release.
The federation also states that; "If selections for the World Championships would be taken solely on the basis of rankings in the past, then neither Jos Lansink would have been selected in 2006 nor Philippe Le Jeune in 2010 – and they would never have become World Champions."
The federation also refers to the fact that all riders, Constant Van Paesschen included, have a charter which includes an integrity clause and a code of ethics for him and his team. The past months' happenings are in stark contrast with the commitments made in the charter, it is stated by the federation.
