The dressage world is reeling from the news that Isabell Werth's small tour horse Whisper tested positive to doping after a medication test carried out on 30 May at the CDI Wiesbaden in Germany. Werth has been immediately suspended by the FEI and will not be able to compete at Aachen.

Werth's 10-year old chestnut gelding Whisper (by Wolkentanz I x Einstand) tested positive to Fluphenazin, a drug usually applied as antipsychotic for humans. It is used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One of its side effects is sedation, which is a reason why it could be used by equestrians.

Breido Graf zu Rantzau, president of the German Equestrian Federation, made the following statement: "This is a catastrophe for the horse sport. But we don't let ourselves be discouraged by this negative news as we pave the way to a fair horse sport."

There will be an FEI Tribunal hearing on 25th June, at which it will be decided whether the suspension is temporary or not. A suspension after a positive A-test is internationally obligatory af of 18 months ago. Isabell Werth has requested the disclosure of the B-test.