Only two years after he had accepted the position of chairman of the German Dressage Selection Committee of the DOKR, did Uwe Mechlem decide to resign from this function.
The reason for his early resignation is the fiery uproar that took place in Germany prior to the World Equestrian Games of Jerez. At the German Dressage Championships in Mannheim, all WEG Short listed horses were tested on doping and Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff's Renoir R tested positive. Mechlem decided to pull Rusty and Farbenfroh out of the competition to prevent further testing on these two horses. Capellmann only rode her reserve horse Gracioso at Mannheim.
Mechlem stated that he prefers to "be a dressage judge again and function as clinician." Mechlem also added that controversy seems to be more important nowadays than the actual dressage sport. He, therefore, decided to take up responsibility for the "Mannheim Commotion" by resgining as chairman. The 67-year old Mechlem was member of the Dressage Selection Committee for more than 20 years.
Related Links
Linsenhoff's Renoir R Tested Positive on Doping
Scores 2002 German Dressage Championships in Mannheim