After an appeal from Douglas Lindelöw, the Swedish Sports Confederation's Disciplinary Committee has decided to set his previous suspension from competition aside. It was on the 25th of November 2015, that the Swedish Equestrian Federation's Disciplinary Committee suspended Lindelöw from competition for a period of two months after he was found to have treated a horse in a way conflicting with the federation's national rules.
The Swedish Equestrian Federation’s Disciplinary Committee only took into consideration written testimonials, which later was criticized by Lindelöw as there was no opportunity to ask questions to the individuals that gave the information – increasing the risk of wrong accounts as a foundation of the decision.
Douglas appealed the suspension to the Swedish Sports Confederation's own Disciplinary Committee, that again lifted the suspension temporarily.
After hearing several witnesses, the Swedish Sports Confederation's Disciplinary Committee has now made their verdict and came to a different conclusion than the Swedish Equestrian Federation's Disciplinary Committee. In the decision, the Swedish Sports Confederation's Disciplinary Committee concludes that Lindelöw’s behavior towards his horse did not conflict with the rules.
Source: Tidningen Ridsport
Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson