San To Alati Case Closed

Dressage

Germany

The German equestrian federation has reached a settlement with rider Mareike Mimberg-Hess, who was held responsible for the positive medication case of San To Alati at the 2022 Bundeschampionate.

Positive Medication

Under Mareike Mimberg-Hess the Hanoverian stallion San to Alati (by Secret x Belissimo M) won the 4-year old stallion class at the 2022 Bundeschampionate but was disqualified and stripped off this title after he tested positive to the prohibited substance decyclopropylmethylfirocoxib, a metabolite of the substance firocoxib, a prohibited substance according to Annex II ADMR. Firocoxib is an NSAID.

The liver chestnut stallion is owned by Bernadette Brune but was under the full care of Bettina Hinnemann at Hinnemann's Krusterhof in Voerde, Germany. He was trained and qualified for the Bundeschampionate by Stefanie Wolf but when she broke her leg, Mimberg was asked to take over the ride. She commuted from Bielefeld to Voerde to ride the horse seven times before heading to Warendorf.

Four Month Suspension

The disciplinary committee of the German Equestrian Federation (FN) came to the conclusion that the rider was the "person responsible" and has sentenced Mimberg-Hess to a four-month suspension in its regulatory procedure. This decision was confirmed by the Grand Arbitration Court in August 2023, right before the 2023 Bundeschampionate.

Mimberg appealed that decision, but as the FN's's legal procedures had been exhausted, she had to take it to a civil court. Because of this pending court case, Mimberg was allowed her to compete at the 2023 Bundeschampionate with her string of horses.

Two Month Suspension

Today the German Equestrian Federation announced that the "San to Alati Case is Closed"

"The FN and the rider have reached a settlement on the recommendation of the court," the FN stated. "The rider is therefore banned for a period of two months. The ban ends at the end of the year."