Application for a temporary Estermann ban rejected

Disappointment at association president Damian Müller. He wanted show jumping rider Paul Estermann to be suspended immediately after his final conviction for animal cruelty and until sanctions were finalized. The Swiss Equestrian Federation (SVPS) submitted a corresponding application to the Internal Sanctions Committee (SAKO) in early January.

After a few weeks of consultation, she has now come to the conclusion: Estermann does not have to be blocked for the time being. The application is rejected – with the brief justification: There is no urgency in terms of time, as the case has been known since 2017 and the final SAKO decision is expected in March.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Sanctions Committee, which has opened an investigation against the offending rider and will make a decision quickly. Nevertheless, I deeply regret that it denies the urgency of this matter and considers a temporary suspension disproportionate,” explains SVPS chairman Damian Müller on behalf of the board of directors. However, the union emphasizes that the rejection of the provisional ban has no direct consequences for the ongoing proceedings against Estermann.

The inglorious Estermann case has been dragging on for six years now. It was then that Blick made the allegations against the Lucerne public. Since December, the former Olympic rider has been convicted of multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act. So the end is in sight. Should the 59-year-old appeal SAKO’s final decision to the Association Court, the proceedings are expected to be completed this summer.

Source : Blick