Intrigue, bullying, chaos
The once noble equestrian association is tearing itself apart
It's a noble sport so high on horseback. But at the German Equestrian Association things are more like the gutter. A new president is needed, but all candidates are being defamed and bullied away. The level is devastating.
Ursula von der Leyen perhaps? Excluded, the self-confessed horse lover has far more important tasks as President of the European Commission. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg? No, the former defense minister has long since signaled internally that he does not want the job. Meanwhile, candidates who can imagine clearing away the trash at the head of the no longer noble German Equestrian Association (FN) are being defamed and bullied away.
The last “victim” is Stefan Unterlandstättner, former CEO of the DKB and as such a generous sponsor of the FN. His friend Holger Wulschner, an active show jumper and representative of the active members of the currently relatively small FN executive committee, had suggested Unterlandstättner as the new president. The 62-year-old, rider, breeder and recently retired, wanted to stand for election; he also had ideas for renovating the ailing association.
Issue passed, Unterlandstättner has withdrawn his candidacy. Suddenly a photo sequence from a video clip appeared in which the gray horse Caruso, which he himself rode, goes against the hand at a tournament, i.e. visibly defends himself against the bit. The snapshot rushed through the net in no time, and Unterlandstättner's explanation that he wanted to protect his horse from running into an obstacle was of no interest to anyone. “The FN has missed a huge opportunity,” rumbled Holger Wulschner, who immediately resigned from the FN presidium out of anger.
Situation is precarious
The situation, as you quickly realize, is precarious. Somebody should, nobody wants. Or is it? The tower in the battle remains (still) Martin Richenhagen, manager of a US global corporation, friend of open words and precisely for this reason not really popular with the state and breeding associations entitled to vote. Richenhagen, who could enjoy his life in peace and quiet on his picturesque Hidden Pines Farm in Georgia, is apparently still determined to help the devastated association get back on its feet.
The 72-year-old does not want to comment publicly on the current situation. The question has long been circulating behind closed doors as to how long Richenhagen will be exposed to the situation. In any case, Stefan Unterlandstättner, who was bullied away, quickly drew his conclusions: “I really don't feel like going to that level.”
Level has crashed into the ground
The German Equestrian Association, whose office in Warendorf has a bronze statue of the miracle mare Halla as a reminder of better times, has not been about quality for a long time. Candidates for the extraordinary new elections in November are officially desperately wanted, but somehow they are not wanted. The name Michael Klimke was recently circulated, but the son of the legendary Reiner Klimke is also said to have already declined.
The FN has now made it clear that they might want to give the specially created search committee a little more time to find one or more candidates. The young Cologne native Martin Richenhagen left it open as to whether he might see this as an affront to himself: “I'm not saying anything at the moment.” Oh, by the way: The photo that abruptly ended Stefan Unterlandstättner's ambitions was circulated by a member of the search committee, among others.
