German rider Isabell Werth, Olympic gold medalist, suspended after horse fails doping test

Isabell Werth suspended after horse’s doping test

BERLIN — Isabell Werth of Germany, a multiple Olympic dressage gold medalist, has been suspended after her horse tested positive for a banned substance.

Germany’s National Equestrian Federation said Wednesday that Werth’s horse, Whisper, tested positive for fluphenazine, a sedative, at an international tournament in Wiesbaden on May 30.

Werth was suspended from all tournaments until further notice, the federation said in a statement.

The International Equestrian Federation has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to decide whether to uphold the suspension, the statement said. It added that Werth will request the opening of the B sample.

“This is a catastrophe for equestrian sport, but we will not let ourselves be discouraged by the bad news and will continue along the road for fair equestrian sport,” German federation president Breido zu Rantzau said.

The 39-year-old Werth won team Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008, and an individual gold in 1996. She also has three Olympic silver medals.