Steve Guerdat issued the following press release today:
"The Swiss rider Steve Guerdat has exercised his right to speak during a preliminary hearing of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). This meeting was held today via a telephone conference. Guerdat had not to appear in person at the headquarters of the FEI in Lausanne. He was accompanied by his lawyer, Mr. Giuseppe Bianchi, and his legal counsel in the person of Dr. Eleonora Ottaviani, as well as Dr. Marco Hermann, Veterinary of Swiss Equestrian Federation FSSE, and Dr. Hans George Stihl, Veterinary of Steve Guerdat Stable.
During the hearing, Steve Guerdat, under FEI rules as the person responsible for his horses, was pleading the cause of food contamination and calling for the lifting of the Provisional Suspension. The FEI Tribunal will now evaluate the plea and judge on the respective verdict.
Steve Guerdat is hoping for a quick and clear response by the FEI, with regards to be able to participate with the Swiss team at the upcoming European Championships in Aachen in mid-August, and prepare in good conditions for it (CSIO Hickstead, etc.).
Due to the current procedure, Steve Guerdat will not make other public statements or interviews related in particular to the preliminary hearing today before the FEI Tribunal and until further notice. He thanks all his fans, his whole team, its owners and sponsors for the confidence shown so selflessly in this difficult period and especially painful for him and his entourage."