Famous equestrians Wirt and Beerbaum are facing criticism from the Riding Association
Equestrian greats Isabell Werth and Ludger Beerbaum, renowned in their respective fields of dressage and show jumping, have voiced concerns about the fiscal health of German equestrianism and have expressed dissatisfaction with the German Equestrian Federation (FN). The root cause of their discontent is financial instability and the need for significant changes to address this issue.
Werth, who added an Olympic gold medal to her trophy case in Paris, spoke candidly about the matter while on ARD-Sportschau, saying "There were reports at the start of the year that Warendorf needed rehabilitation, but that was vehemently denied. However, it has since been confirmed that the FN is facing challenges."
Beerbaum, a 1992 Olympic gold winner, echoed her sentiments, calling for comprehensive reforms. The 61-year-old, known for his significant investments in the equestrian world, pointed out that the age disparity within the FN is problematic. He advocated for a shakeup, urging that "The lid needs to be removed and everything needs to be thoroughly questioned."
Why the delay in action?
Klaus Roeser, who oversees high-performance sports within the FN, attempted to explain the delay in addressing these financial challenges. He stated that in times of crisis, reserves are sometimes needed, but he questioned why the issue wasn't brought to light sooner. "If this is done repeatedly over a certain period of time," argued Roeser, "then one might wonder why the alarm wasn't raised much earlier?"
Criticism has been levied towards Soenke Lauterbach, the FN's general secretary. According to Roeser, Lauterbach had amassed an impressive level of power within the organization. In the midst of the financial crisis, both FN president Hans-Joachim Erbel and financial curator Gerhard Ziegler resigned in July, with Lauterbach announcing his intention to depart from the FN in September of the following year. The Münster Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed it's currently investigating in the federation's environment.
Sports enthusiasts might find it disheartening to learn that even elite equestrian athletes like Isabell Werth and Ludger Beerbaum have expressed concerns about the financial stability of German equestrianism. The need for significant reforms in the German Equestrian Federation (FN) to address this issue has been advocated by both equestrian greats.
