Kürten lawyer criticises suspension appeal decision

A LAWYER working for Jessica Kürten says the show jumper’s suspension from competition by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) could cost her dearly.

Monika Gattiker also said the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was wrong last Tuesday to reject her request that the two-month suspension to be put aside while it considers her appeal. Kürten has furnished CAS with further documentation and again requested that it allow her to compete. According to Gattiker, CAS has given the FEI until Monday to respond.

“The FEI is saying the two-month suspension will not cause irreparable harm to Jessica’s career, but this is not so,” said Gattiker, who has taken over from Ulf Walz as Kürten’s main legal representative, with Walz acting as an advisor.

“This weekend, Jessica will miss the third round of the Global Champions Tour in Cannes and the fourth round in Monaco later this month. In July, she will miss the Global Champions Tour shows in Estoril, Portugal, and Valkenswaard in the Netherlands.

“In between, there are the three-star shows in La Coruna (July 18-20) and Gijon (July 23-28), both in Spain,” said Gattiker, who said the cumulative effect could see the 38-year-old fall out of the top 10 of the world rankings.

Kürten’s results for last year’s summer months indicate the ban could cost her over 250,000.

Her suspension — resulting from the discovery in May last year of a banned medication in the mare Castle Forbes Maike — came into effect last Saturday and runs until August 6.