US Equestrian (USEF) has introduced hair testing and changes to protocols – as it is thought people are using euthanasia drugs as calmers.

USEF has approved a change to allow horses’ hair, as well as blood and urine, to be tested from 1 July.

“Hair testing allows regulators to detect certain prohibited substances such as barbiturates (including the euthanasia drug) more readily and for a considerably longer time than blood or urine,” a USEF spokesperson said.

The board also approved a modification to rules on horse collapses at hunter, jumper and hunter/jumper competitions, to “ensure our equine partners receive appropriate care and are fit to compete before they return to the ring after an unexplained collapse”.

“This will address concerns about the impermissible administration of substances and ensure there is sufficient time for a licensed vet to examine the horse and evaluate their fitness to compete,” a USEF spokesperson explained.

This means, from 1 July, any horse or pony who collapses at a hunter, jumper or hunter/jumper event may not compete for seven days, and then only once a vet confirms it has been examined and is fit to compete.

“We have received reports suggesting that people may be administering barbiturates (including the euthanasia drug) to achieve a perceived performance advantage by quieting a horse,” USEF chief veterinary officer Stephen Schumacher told H&H.

“While these reports are limited, the two changes are designed to work in concert to protect our horses and prevent this kind of abuse.”

Detecting any of the banned substances will mean the trainer and other responsible parties will face sanctions.

“A sick part of the industry”

Marjory Berkache, who runs a boutique horse-selling yard in Florida, said she was disgusted to hear of the need for this rule – but not surprised.

“It’s normalised; people will look you in the eye and say they do this,” she told H&H. “That’s the sick part of the industry; they don’t see an issue with it.”

She said she does not understand why herbal calmers, many of which have no negative effect on horses, are banned; she believes if they were allowed, the edge could be taken off sharp horses safely.

“But I think the only way we’re going to get away from this is to profoundly change the judging criteria,” she said.

“If you change it to, ‘We’re going to sanction this look where the horses look drugged’ – there’s no question, you watch those horses and they don’t look like your horse or my horse – and instead reward expression, horses who are a bit ‘up’, that’s what will get you the money, ribbons and prestige, and people will stop injecting the drugs. I think that’s the only way it will work.”

Marjory said there is so much money involved – a lower-level hunter might sell for $150,000 (£111,000), a juniors’ horse for over $1m or a successful one leased for $300,000 a year – there is motivation for unscrupulous people to find a “quick fix”.

“If people have zero ethics, they’ll find a new way to cheat,” she said. “For the welfare of horses, change the sport then people will have no incentive to use those methods.”

She added that some very wealthy clients are just billed for “meds” and do not query what these are; if more riders were to ask, and take a stand, trainers might change. If punishments for riders and trainers were stricter, it would help.

“It would only take one or two very wealthy clients to be banned for a year or two, or five; make it painful enough, and I’m not saying everyone would stop using drugs but it would be a wake-up call. They’d be so scared of losing clients and jobs, the risk would be too big,” she said.

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Sniffer dogs could be used in a crackdown against horses being given microdoses of prohibited substances in efforts to “save lives”.

At the FEI Sports Forum (31 March–1 April) FEI veterinary director Göran Åkerström gave an update of ongoing research projects taking place, including a trial with sniffer dogs in endurance.

The project, in collaboration with Swedish University of Agriculture, involves using sniffer dogs to detect microdoses of heart-rate lowering substances – prohibited under the FEI’s equine anti-doping and controlled medication regulations (EDCMRs) – in horse saliva.

Mr Åkerström said that in endurance there is a heart rate cap of 64.

“If a horse has a 65 it cannot continue. Why is that in place? It’s because if a horse’s heart rate is too high, it’s probably too tired,” he said, adding that pushing horses with a high heart rate can become “life-threatening”.

“What we sadly have observed is that very few people, but they do exist, have medicated horses with substances that lower heart rate. They are short-acting and they are microdosed, so we wouldn’t find them in regular testing. We needed a testing method that was non-invasive, so we started looking at saliva.”

Mr Åkerström said that a dog would be used to sniff custom-made swabs that have been in a horse’s mouth for one to three minutes. The dog would sniff a range of samples and if the dog detects a positive case, then that horse will be immediately blood tested and this sample will go to the lab.

“If the sample is positive, that could be grounds for a legal case for violations of the EDCMRs,” said Mr Åkerström.

“We have a proof of concept; we know that micro-dosed substances administered intravenously can be detected in saliva afterwards by trained dogs,” said Åkerström, adding the dog can also detect substances in horse saliva that have been given orally.

“The concentrations that the dog can detect is just incredible – we’re talking picograms (one-trillionth of a gram), so the dog is more sensitive than the lab. But we will always only use the lab for any legal purposes.”

Mr Åkerström added that using sniffer dogs would be a “selection method for targeting samples” and could “potentially save horse lives” – as well as acting as a “good deterrent”.

The project is ongoing and field tests will take place in July.

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British racing is testing thoroughbreds for gene doping after investing almost £2m into ground-breaking research – and the FEI has also enhanced its rules in this area.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced on 25 March that testing will be “incorporated immediately” into its routine raceday and out-of-competition sampling. The FEI’s strengthened rules on gene doping came into force on 1 April. This involved explicitly defining genetic therapy, gene editing and genome editing, and adding these to the FEI’s prohibited substances list.

“These regulations allow the FEI to conduct testing for gene doping. FEI-accredited laboratories have the necessary capacity to carry out such testing,” an FEI spokesperson told H&H.

Gene doping is the genetic or cellular manipulation of DNA, either directly by gene-editing techniques, or by adding genetic material into the cell by gene transfer, for the purpose of improving performance. In a presentation at the 2024 FEI Sports Forum, FEI senior veterinary adviser Caterina Termine said genetic manipulation could be applied to embryos, youngstock and adult horses.

There are concerns over potential unintended consequences of genetic manipulation that could lead to health and welfare issues. There is also an integrity risk if an animal were to be gene-doped in such a way that improved performance – for example, through increased muscle mass and oxygen-carrying capability – and/or post-exercise recovery.

It is already banned by both the BHA and FEI – and neither have had any recorded cases of gene doping – so these moves are to protect welfare and sporting integrity over emerging risk. There are examples of gene editing for performance purposes in ponies bred for polo in Argentina.

“Testing for gene doping is a significant step forward for British racing and reinforces our commitment to safeguarding the welfare of our horses, protecting the thoroughbred breed and integrity of our competition,” said Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s acting chief executive officer.

“While there are international examples of the use of genetic manipulation in other equestrian activities, there is no evidence to suggest that this is taking place in Britain or across any other international racing jurisdictions. However, scientific and technological advancements mean that genetic manipulation poses a very real risk to horseracing and the essence of the thoroughbred breed.

“It’s essential that we are proactive in this space, and through investing in this cutting-edge research we now have the technological capabilities to detect and deter any attempts to exploit nefarious techniques that could give horses an unfair advantage.”

The FEI and BHA both have tightly controlled exemptions in their rules to allow gene therapy to treat clinically diagnosed injury or disease in specific circumstances.

The BHA has invested the seven-figure sum into research at the LGC laboratory in Cambridgeshire, to improve detection and monitoring of gene doping.

LGC’s laboratory director for animal sports testing, James Scarth said that the funding means that the company is now able to deploy “routine tests to tackle this potential threat”.

He added that the innovative detection methods have been “developed with flexibility in mind, allowing us to add new genes should new threats emerge, ensuring the relevance of the technology for years to come”.

“The experimental work has been complemented in parallel with the establishment of partnerships with other global laboratories and racing authorities, which has led to the development of international guidelines for gene doping analyses,” said Dr Scarth.

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) chief executive David Mountford told H&H: “Unlike traditional selective breeding, gene doping can make targeted genetic changes in a single generation. It’s novel, potentially powerful – and highly controversial.

“As described in a recent review published in BEVA’s Equine Veterinary Journal, it throws up serious ethical and competitive integrity questions and BEVA supports the BHA and the FEI in taking proactive measures to prohibit its use.”

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A supplement given to a horse at the Paris Olympics on the advice of a team vet led to a positive drug test and disqualification.

Belgian event rider Tine Magnus has categorically denied ever doping after the anti-depressant and anxiety medication trazodone was found in her Olympic ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z’s system at Paris 2024.

Following the FEI Tribunal’s decision on 31 January, Ms Magnus said that she “can confirm and declare with my head held high that I have never consciously used doping”.

Ms Magnus, who was 28th individually, and the fourth-placed Belgian eventing team were disqualified from the Olympics.

Each rider is considered the “person responsible” for their horse under the FEI’s anti-doping rules. Despite the fact the FEI Tribunal found Ms Magnus bore “no significant fault or negligence” for the positive finding, she was suspended and fined.

She was suspended for five months – which was backdated to the start of her provisional suspension and so ended on 2 February – and fined CHF 4,000 (£3,540). The mare was provisionally suspended for two months in 2024 (3 September to 3 November).

Ms Magnus has also agreed to be part of an education campaign “on the risk of using supplements”.

The FEI Tribunal decision states that a settlement agreement was reached between the FEI and the rider, after she gave evidence and written explanations as to how “on the balance of probabilities” the banned substance entered the now 11-year-old mare’s system.

“The source of trazodone was the supplement RELAX PRO – Global Medics – Equine Care Group, which was provided by the NF [Belgian national federation] and the team veterinarian,” states the Tribunal decision.

“This finding was based on an independent analysis requested by the [person responsible] from two highly recognized toxicologists, Professor Jan Tytgat of the KU Leuven and Professor Pascal Kintz from Strasbourg.

“Both identified the presence of trazodone in the supplement RELAX PRO, which was given to the horse during the Olympic Games.

“The RELAX PRO was used only twice by the [person responsible] on the horse, and both instances upon the explicit advice of the team vet, since the horse was quite energetic.”

A timeline on the Global Medics website states that it partnered with Equine Care Group in 2021 and that the two “join forces to make your horse’s well-being our top priority”. The Equine Care Group website lists Global Medics as one of its “members”.

The Tribunal took into account that Ms Magnus is “acutely aware” of anti-doping rules “to which she “adheres fully”. They noted the “meticulous care” by her “well-trained team” to prevent cross-contamination, as well as her own record-keeping and practices. They also commented on Ms Magnus’s view that “treatments must only be administered to the horse if such is for the benefit of the horse and its welfare” and that she “strictly follows the advice” of her own vet, whenever treatment is required.

“[She] normally uses very limited number of supplements which are all batch controlled,” added the Tribunal report.

“However, being on the Olympic team, she relied on the expertise and guidance provided by the team’s infrastructure, hence she relied on the advice of the team veterinarian and the reputation of the Equine Care Group.

“The fact that the supplements were given to her by the NF and team vet shows no intentional or reckless behaviour, but rather a degree of procedural failure outside [her] immediate control.

“[She] was acting upon the advice of the team vet, using supplement purchased and provided to her by the NF, recognising the explicit guarantee to be ‘doping free’ and trusting the undisputed reputation of the Equine Care Group. In addition, the RELAX PRO producer is stating that it is ‘free of doping substances’ on its website, and that it is to be used for temperamental horses during competition.”

The Tribunal said that Ms Magnus “therefore had little reason to doubt the propriety of these supplements” and that in retrospect, “she does not know whether these supplements were actually tested before the NFand team vet were providing them to the team”.

It added that Ms Magnus “does not doubt” the national federation and team vet’s “best intentions”.

“It also has to be noted as well that the team vet more or less just gave his supplement regime without double-checking with [her] if it should be administrated,” stated the Tribunal report.

“Several times did he give supplements to the horse without the [person responsible’s] knowledge during the event.”

The Tribunal added that the FEI was satisfied Ms Magnus established that she bore “no significant fault or negligence”, but that she should have known that using the supplement “carried a certain degree of risk, as the existence of contaminants in supplements is widely known”.

‘Failure’ by national federation and team vet

The Tribunal stated that the FEI noted “the failure” of the federation and team vet “to provide products that are safe to use”.

“According to the FEI, a question arises as to why, in such a professional environment, the important task of complying with anti-doping obligations is outsourced to a person, that is not compliant with the recommendations of FEI clean sport, and there was no suggestion in the evidence that the team vet advised the [person responsible] of the dangers related to the use of supplements for horses,” stated the report.

“To the contrary, he instead recommended the [person responsible] to use a number of supplements in an extensive supplement regime.

“It is surprising that the NF/team vet encourages the use of over 14 different supplements for a horse, when considering the known risk of supplement use, and also the warnings that have been sent out to NFs and other stakeholders on regular basis and in particular in the clean sport messaging before the Olympic Games.

“It cannot be ignored that this has led to a very difficult situation for all parties involved, not only the [rider], but the whole team and the NF who will lose their fourth placing in eventing at the Olympic Games.”

‘Heavy burden of proof’

In her post-tribunal statement, Ms Magnus said that she found herself “on a rollercoaster” after the FEI informed her on 3 September of the positive test at the Paris Olympics.

“I was suspended with immediate effect and in addition, the fourth place achieved by the Belgian eventing team was also called into question,” she said.

“As is so often the case with doping and disciplinary cases, I was completely banned. I no longer existed. All this while I was 1,000% convinced that I was absolutely innocent of the positive doping result. I have always done my utmost to let my horses deliver top performances without aids.

“Together with my lawyers, I have extensively investigated how on earth it was possible that my horse tested positive. After all, I want to defend myself against a doping accusation.

“If necessary, the FEI stipulates that I, as the person responsible, must prove whether there is cross-contamination or another cause. As an athlete, you must therefore be able to explain and prove how the prohibited substance ended up in your horse’s system. This is a heavy burden of proof on the shoulders of the athletes and fortunately I have withstood that ordeal. I can confirm and declare with my head held high that I have never consciously used doping.”

She added that the team vet advised her to use “a number of supplements”.

“These supplements were sold and delivered to the Belgian federation by his company. These supplements were then made available to me,” she said.

“We asked Professor Tytgat, the most renowned toxicologist associated with the KU Leuven, to test all these supplements for the possible presence of Trazodone.

“When RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone in Professor Tytgat’s case, we had RELAX PRO cans purchased elsewhere with the same lot number tested by both Professor Tytgat and Professor Kintz in Strasbourg. RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone again.

“These results were submitted to the FEI because I wanted to prove that I had never intentionally administered a prohibited substance to my horse. The packaging of RELAX PRO even stated ‘doping free’.

“The FEI pointed out to me that even when I have in fact done nothing wrong, as in this case, I cannot rely on the concept of no fault or negligence. As an athlete, you bear risk liability even if you are not to blame.”

She added that the FEI offered her the option of accepting a fine and a suspension that would run until 2 February.

“Because I wanted to close this sporting black period as soon as possible, I agreed to this,” she said.

“I will soon be able to participate in official competitions again and I thank my partner Dieter, my brother Sam, the owner of DIA, Kris, for the trust they have always placed in me as well as my lawyers Klaas Koentges, Piotr Wawrzyniak and Luc Schelstraete, who assisted me in the procedure with the FEI.”

H&H has contacted the Belgian federation to ask if it and/or the team vet would like to comment. H&H has also contacted Global Medics and Equine Care Group for comment.

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Olympic dressage rider Domien Michiels has been disqualified from the team final at the Paris 2024 Games for failing a drug test, caused by his coming into contact with a prohibited substance when treating his ill dog.

The in-competition test was carried out on 3 August, the day of the grand prix special, which decided the Olympic dressage team medals at Paris 2024, and the sample was positive for dorzolamide.

A statement from the International Testing Agency (ITA) said that over the course of proceedings, Mr Michiels “was able to establish that dorzolamide entered his body inadvertently when he administered eye drops containing [the drug] to his dog to treat the dog’s illness”.

The drug is listed under diuretics and masking agents on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. It is classed as banned at all times – except when directly applied to the eyes.

“Considering that dorzolamide did not enter the athlete’s system through topical ophthalmic route exclusively and in light of the principle of ‘strict liability’, the presence of dorzolamide in his sample constitutes an ADRV [anti-doping rule violation],” added the ITA statement.

The statement said Mr Michiels was able to establish that he bore “no fault or negligence” for the positive test. This is defined as the person establishing that they did not know or suspect, and could not reasonably have known or suspected even with the exercise of utmost caution, that they had used or been administered a prohibited substance/method, or had otherwise broken an anti-doping rule.

Mr Michiels said: “I accept the decision that recognises that I was not negligent and did not intend to cheat or violate the rules. I am now looking ahead to continue to give the best of myself in equestrian sport in the future.”

A joint statement from the Belgian equestrian federation, Paardensport Vlaanderens and the Ligue Equestre Wallonie Bruxelles said: “As a federation, we attach great importance to a fair and doping-free sport.

“Of course, we recognise the decision of the ITA and the IOC [International Olympic Committee], but we would like to emphasise once again that although this finding is considered a doping violation, it was also determined that Domien Michiels is not at fault in any significant way. It is clear that there was no intention of unfair behaviour or negligence on his part.”

The ITA statement said that Mr Michiels was not subject to a mandatory provisional suspension as the prohibited substance detected was a specified substance. A specified substance is defined by WADA as being “more likely to have been consumed or used by an athlete for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance”.

Is the team placing affected?

What this means for the Belgian’s team placing is noteworthy as with teams of three, there is no longer a drop score in Olympic team competitions.

The ITA statement added: “The only consequence of his [anti-doping rule violation] under the IOC anti-doping rules applicable to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is the disqualification of the athlete’s individual competitive results at the dressage team grand prix event on 3 August 2024 at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“The results of the Belgium team in the dressage team grand prix on 3 August 2024 are not to be disqualified.”

The only dressage competition on 3 August at the Paris Olympics was the grand prix special, which decided the team medals.

The Belgian dressage team were fifth in Paris – yet the FEI database is now showing the team as finishing last of the 10 teams in the final.

The Belgian equestrian federation’s website states that “the team result of 3 August (a fifth place with [team mates] Larissa Pauluis and Flore De Winne) is maintained”.

The joint statement from the Belgian federations said that they are “relieved that the team result of our Belgian team is maintained, which is an important recognition of the commitment and performance of the entire team. We continue to support Domien in this challenging period and have full confidence in his integrity as an athlete.”

Human doping rule violations are treated slightly differently to equine doping in the rules used for Paris 2024.

The FEI rules for Paris 2024 state that if a member of a team is found to have violated the human anti-doping rules and/or the equine anti-doping and controlled medication rules during the Olympics, “the results of the athlete/person responsible will be disqualified in all competitions and the entire team’s results in the team competition are disqualified, unless exceptional circumstances apply”.

But the FEI’s Paris 2024 rules also state that the IOC anti-doping rules apply to riders in Paris. Under these, the hearing panel has authority to determine consequences on a team’s results.

The rule states: “Should the relevant international federation not have such rules or, if in the [Court of Arbitration for Sport] CAS Anti-Doping Division’s discretion, the rules of the relevant international federation do not adequately protect the integrity of the competition, the panel shall have the authority to determine the consequences on the team, including the disqualification of the team’s results in any competition or event or any other consequences. The CAS Anti-Doping Division may only take such action in circumstances when one or more members of a team are found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation and, in the panel’s discretion, the violation may have affected the results of the team in the concerned competition(s) or event(s).”

It would appear that there can be provision for a team’s placing to be unchanged. But given the inconsistency between the FEI’s records and the statements from the Belgian federations and the ITA, H&H has sought clarification from the FEI – which has directed the query to the ITA.

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Out-of-competition testing could be introduced for FEI-registered horses, with the aim of ensuring a level playing field for all.

A session at the FEI Sports Forum (29–30 April) focused on the equine anti-doping and controlled medication regulations (EACMRs), which are undergoing a full revision this year. Out-of-competition testing was a key talking point, following the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission’s (EEWC) recommendation that the FEI implement a process for ensuring “high standards of welfare and investigating risk practices” for horses when outside of competition.

The aim would be to test for banned substances – not controlled medications.

The EACMRs already allow for out-of-competing testing, but this does not currently take place. The FEI said this is because of the challenges around establishing who is responsible; the rider, owner, trainer, support personnel – or all four. In endurance it was agreed that in most cases the trainer is responsible, but in other disciplines this was less clear.

An EEWC recommendation was to introduce a “testing pool”, similar to the World Anti-Doping Agency system for humans.

“A pool could allow us to put athletes on notice that they [their horses] are subject to out-of-competition testing so they understand their obligations, and maybe it’s a way to potentially then test in private properties,” said FEI legal director Mikael Rentsch, adding that gaining property access is one of the biggest challenges.

“We are a sports federation, not the police. And depending on the country, you are not allowed to enter private properties, so we need to find a way to be able to test anywhere.”

Mr Rentsch said the key to any testing pool is knowing where horses are, and a suggestion was that a daily slot could be declared in the FEI HorseApp when the horse is available for testing.

The floor was opened for discussion and FEI president Ingmar de Vos raised concerns over the costs involved – and why it should be down to the FEI, and not national federations. Some federations, including Britain and Germany, already have out-of-competition testing programmes for squad horses.

The International Jumping Riders Club believed responsibility should not fall solely on riders and raised questions over how it would be decided which horses should be tested – while a Jumping Owners Club representative said it would be difficult to make an owner responsible for presenting a horse for testing when horses might be kept with a rider in another country.

Mr Rentsch said the FEI “needs to start somewhere” and acknowledged there would be “challenges”.

“It has to be based on risk assessment; testing for [the sake of] testing is not what you need. You need intelligence and risk factors, and looking at the FEI framework we would probably start with endurance where the risk factor is probably a bit higher,” said Mr Rentsch, adding that showjumping would be the next discipline considered to have a higher risk factor, owing to the amount of competitions and prize money involved.

“We are putting out ideas and need to look at what system we want to build, and at what cost.”

Discussions will continue, with a first draft of any proposed changes to the EACMRs due 26 June.

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Horse feed contaminated by rats – and hay contaminated by a groom urinating in a stall – have been found to be responsible after horses tested positive for banned substances in two separate recent cases.

Rebekah Italiano’s ride Kenlock Cadillac tested positive for banned substance warfarin, a blood thinner also commonly found in rat poison. The positive sample was taken when the pair were competing at the CCI4*-S at Ballarat Horse Trials in Australia in May 2023.

The FEI Tribunal notes that warfarin may be used in the treatment of navicular disease and deep vein thrombosis, and is classed as a banned substance, which means it is prohibited both in and out of competition.

Ms Italiano opted to have the B sample tested, which also came back positive.

The Tribunal documents state that Ms Italiano put forward “extensive submissions” following her own investigation into where the substance could have come from. The FEI was satisfied that “on a balance of probabilities” the source was “contamination of the horse feed by rats”.

The FEI considered that she had shown she bore “no significant fault or negligence”, so the sanctions should be at the lower end of the range.

She was disqualified from the competition, given a two-month suspension, instead of the otherwise applicable stretch of two years, and fined CHF 3,000 (£2,635). The two-month suspension was also backdated, as she had already served a four-month provisional suspension.

In a separate case at a CCI4*-S in Quillota, Chile, a winning combination are set to be stripped of their victory after the horse tested positive for a banned substance owing to a groom urinating in a stable.

Chaman Ginn, the ride of Argentina’s Juan Benitez Gallardo, tested positive for O-Desmethylvenlafaxine at the event they won on 10 December 2023 after, it is believed, he ate contaminated hay.

The FEI Tribunal states that the drug is a metabolite of Venlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitor used as an anti-depressant.

The FEI was satisfied that Mr Benitez Gallardo bore no fault or negligence. His provisional suspension was lifted with immediate effect on the date of the hearing (7 March), he has not been fined, and the horse’s two-month suspension was completed on 14 March.

Athough the results from the event are still showing the pair as winners on the FEI database, the FEI Tribunal notes state that they are disqualified.

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Shocked? FEI issues warning – with video of man urinating in dining room

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The FEI has created a video showing a strange man urinating in a family’s dining room as they eat – to warn of the dangers of contamination.

The Think Outside the Box campaign features a video showing a family enjoying a meal, when a man walks past their table to the side of the room, where he unzips his jeans and relieves himself on to a trolley.

“Shocked?” a caption asks. As the scene changes to show the same man mid-wee in a stable occupied by a horse, the caption says: “So am I.”

H&H has reported on a number of cases of horses’ giving samples that test positive for banned medication, which have been traced back to people who were taking the drugs and had urinated in the stable or lorry.

“The FEI has today launched thought-provoking campaign Think Outside The Box, aimed at raising awareness and educating stakeholders around the risk of contamination in and around the stables, and the potential consequences from a rule’s violation perspective as well as the general threat to the health and wellbeing of their horses emanating from other avoidable hazards,” an FEI spokesman said.

“What began as a brainstorm between the legal and education departments at the FEI as to how they could best inform and educate stakeholders and in particular FEI athletes, grooms, owners and support personnel around the potential for contamination and subsequent doping cases soon expanded to include general best practice recommendations for the wider equestrian community in a bid to promote safety and wellbeing for horses, regardless of their competition status.”

The FEI hopes its video will “astonish viewers, and challenge conventional expectations associated with the FEI”.

Legal director Mikael Rentsch said: “We wanted to create a buzz and get people’s attention.

“For some time, we have seen that there is a real lack of awareness in the community when it comes to the risks for contamination in the stables, and there are a lot of common practices which are contributing to inadvertent positive doping cases. And for all the emailers and official information campaigns we have attempted, we realised we were not getting through to our target audience – the riders, the grooms, the owners and the support personnel.

“And this is really unfortunate, because athletes are having to learn the hard way.”

The campaign, which also covers equine health risks posed by contamination, is based on four themes: behave, organise, maintain and secure, each featuring specific points, actions and risks of not complying.

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An FEI proposal to demand information or articles relating to anti-doping investigations is a “violation of human rights” and goes too far, it has been claimed.

In the final draft of rule changes published by the FEI is a proposal that would allow the federation at any point to “make a written demand to an applicable person to provide the FEI and/or the integrity unit with any information, record, article or thing in their possession or control that the FEI reasonably believes may evidence or lead to the discovery of evidence of a non-doping violation”.

The applicable person would have to provide the record or information “immediately, where practical to do so, or within such other time as may be set by the FEI and/or the integrity unit”, and would “waive and forfeit any rights, defences and privileges provided by any law in any jurisdiction to withhold any information, record, article or thing requested”.

Failure to comply, or attempts to damage, alter or destroy the information, would be a breach of FEI rules.

As is the case with all proposed rule changes, this was sent to national federations and stakeholders for comment.

The Belgian equestrian federation said: “‘Request access to any information or record (such as personal devices)’. This goes too far. We oppose. This is a violation of human rights.”

British Equestrian (BEF) said that although the investigative powers set out are “beneficial in enforcing integrity matters”, it is “concerned that the broad nature of this waiver may be unenforceable in some circumstances”.

“In the UK, for example, certain statutes provide that an individual may not contract out of their statutory rights. It would be helpful if the FEI could confirm that the breadth of the waiver in this rule will not undermine the consent being given.”

The BEF proposed that the addition of “save where it would be contrary to national laws” be added before the reference to waiving and forfeiting rights.

The German federation agreed the rule would be “an infringement of human rights”, adding: “If nothing else, we are sure that this rule will not stand if put to trial in Germany.” The Dutch, Swiss and Swedish federations are all opposed to the idea.

Solicitor Hannah Bradley, of The Equine Law Firm, told H&H this is “one of the most interesting” proposed rule changes.

“Such wide-ranging powers of investigation are somewhat novel,” she said. “The right to access such a wide range of potentially sensitive documentation or personal items is usually the subject of a court order or warrant in legal proceedings, recognising the potential intrusion to an individual’s private life. The description of items the FEI could potentially demand access to is vague, and it could include access to e-mail accounts or data stored on a mobile device.

“Some governing bodies such as the FEI may face inherent challenges in bringing investigations because having access to documents that may establish any charge is dependent upon the willingness of the athlete to share documents. The FEI clearly has a legitimate and reasonable purpose in investigating potential cases of doping violations. On the other hand, the European Convention on Human Rights provides that individuals have a right to a private life, and it could be argued that these wide-ranging powers infringe upon that right.

“Athletes should be aware that they could soon be subject to this rule, and that records that they previously thought to be private may not remain so.”

The FEI, which had said its lawyers had recommended the change, responded to the feedback by stating: “While there are some concerns raised, it is not against human rights to have the proposed provisions (many other international federations have similar, many even stronger provisions). To have the necessary tools to gather information and evidence to legally prosecute cases, it is an important element to have such provisions. We therefore suggest to maintain the initial proposal.”

The draft rule will be voted on at the FEI general assembly (18–21 November).

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The painkiller tramadol is being added to the human anti-doping list, meaning it cannot be used by riders in competition from 1 January 2024.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced in September 2022 that the drug would be included on its 2024 list of prohibited substances and methods. This means that any competitor who tests positive for the drug during competition could face a ban.

A British Equestrian spokesman told H&H that this rule applies to all those competing in national and international affiliated competition – and noted that tramadol given shortly before competition may still result in an in-competition positive test.

She added that tramadol does fall under therapeutic use exemption (TUE), so an exemption may be granted if an athlete has illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications.

“[Exemptions] must meet the criteria set out in the international standard for TUEs in order to be granted,” said the spokesman.

“Athletes and their medical professionals must consider carefully whether a TUE is likely to be approved and ensure they have the necessary medical documentation to support their TUE application. If the TUE is not approved, the athlete may face an anti-doping rule violation.

“Talk to your doctor about alternative medication that is permitted in competition if you take tramadol.”

TUEs must go through the correct process to be considered and should be applied for well in advance – retrospective exemptions are only considered in rare circumstances, such as an emergency.

Tramadol, a prescription drug in the UK used to treat moderate to severe pain, has been on WADA’s monitoring programme. Data collected through that programme has “indicated significant use in sports”, according to the agency.

“Tramadol abuse, with its risk of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses, is of concern worldwide and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries,” said a WADA statement.

“Research studies funded by WADA, as referenced in the explanatory note, have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.”

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A rider who “escaped”, and “ran away” when FEI officials wanted to take a mandatory sample for dope-testing after his horse failed a hyposensitivity test, has been suspended for two years.

The FEI Tribunal has ruled on the case of Saudi Arabian rider Ayedh Al Maghamer, in relation to a charge of evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection, with eight-year-old Talaqah at a CEI1* endurance ride in Saudi Arabia on 11 February this year.

“The horse was selected for a mandatory in-competition doping control test after the failed hyposensitivity examination but the PR [person responsible, Al Maghamer] refused testing and escaped with the horse, which prompted these proceedings,” the Tribunal report states.

Hyposensitivity testing involves monitoring a horse’s reaction when pressure is applied to a limb using a blunt “pin” in three tests. Under FEI rules, if the horse does not react to a set level of pressure, he is marked as hyposensitive and disqualified. This leads to a mandatory four-week stand-down period from competition for the horse, plus dope-testing to check for nerve-blocking agents, among other possible substances.

In Al Maghamer’s case, the FEI officials said the rider “insisted on being retested” after the standard three tests.

“He then ran away from the steward accompanying him to EADCMP [equine anti-doping and controlled medication programme],” the official’s report stated. “He refused EADCMP testing.”

The officials’ report added that Talaqah was “too fractious to test” at the first two vet gates, and “could not be approached safely”, but at the third vet gate, the officials “decided he must be tested”.

“The groom restrained by applying a hand lip twitch,” the report states. “We could then safely apply the boots and actuators. The groom released his hand from the horse’s lip, so the horse was not restrained in any way during the test. After being informed that his horse had abnormal findings (in the hyposensitivity testing) in his left foreleg and was disqualified,, the PR was angry and kept requesting further testing, which we politely refused. He was accompanied by a steward and a national judge for EADMCP but refused testing and escaped with his horse.”

The FEI said the ground jury told Al Maghamer of the consequences of failing to submit the horse for sample collection but “nonetheless, the PR disappeared with his horse, which resulted in the impossibility to conduct an in-competition test”.

The only submission from Al Maghamer in relation to the proceedings was: “I objected to the committee’s decision regarding the fine and suspension, because the committee present at the race did not inform me that a blood sample had been taken from the horse. They only said exclusion because the horse did not sense the sensitivity device, and the passport was received and the chip was handed over, and the committee did not inform me of the analysis.”

The Tribunal was “comfortably satisfied” that Al Maghamer had breached anti-doping rules, stating: “The Tribunal agrees with the FEI that evading, refusing or failing to submit the horse to sample collection is a very serious offence. Indeed, the entire anti-doping system, as well as the integrity and credibility of the equestrian sport, relies on the cooperation and abidance by the rules, of all participants in the context of the testing procedures.”

The Tribunal ruled that the combination be disqualified from the event. Al Maghamer was banned for two years, fined CHF7,500 (£6,848) and ordered to pay CHF2,000 in costs.

Hannah Bradley, solicitor at The Equine Law Firm, told H&H FEI rules make it clear that failure to submit a horse for sample collection is a serious matter.

“The indicative period of ineligibility in the rules for evading sample collection is significantly higher than the indicative period of ineligibility for a positive controlled substance test, and equal to the indicative period of ineligibility for a positive banned substance test,” she said.

“It is also important to note that the FEI’s equine anti-doping rules apply a ‘strict liability’ principle to rule breaches. This means that unless the person responsible can prove that they bear “no fault or negligence” they will be liable for the violation, even if the breach of the rules was accidental.

“The outcome of this case is a reminder to parties to cooperate promptly with disciplinary investigations and to seek advice, where possible. Whilst the substantive outcome of this tribunal may not have been different had the respondent given his full cooperation, he would have likely received a reduced fine.”

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Relief has been shared as it was confirmed the widely used supplement ingredient MSM will not be added to the FEI equine prohibited substances list (EPSL).

Earlier this year MSM (methyl sulphonyl methane) was listed by the FEI as a proposed controlled medication and specified substance for the 2024 EPSL. MSM is an organic compound that occurs naturally in plants such as maize, oats, apples, and alfalfa. It is an internationally recognised feed material, commonly used in equine diets at up to 25g a day to horses competing under FEI rules, without regulatory incident. MSM was listed as a controlled medication from 2011 until it was delisted at the end of 2017.

Following the proposal the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) feed committee, via British Equestrian, put forward evidence to the FEI “justifying MSM’s continued unlisted status”. A BETA spokesman told H&H the FEI proposal indicated a concern that MSM can convert to controlled medication DMSO, but BETA “does not believe there is evidence to show this is a risk in mammals”.

BETA stated that in addition to direct transfer from plant-based diets, “metabolic pathways show MSM can be formed via metabolism of methionine which, as an essential, indispensable, amino acid is required in the diet of all equines – and given that MSM is both natural and ubiquitous to the equine diet, riders are not able to avoid its presence in their horses’ diets, and listing on the EPSL could have led to regulatory issues without pure MSM having been fed.”

BETA executive director Claire Williams said the BETA feed committee provided “extensive technical evidence” to support the association’s beliefs that “defining MSM in this way could have had a significant and potentially negative impact on both equine welfare and the industry”.

“We are delighted that our challenge proved compelling enough for the FEI to reconsider its decision and change the list,” she said.

“We are immensely relieved that the proposed listing of MSM has been dropped and that the current status of ‘unlisted’ is maintained. It allows riders competing under FEI rules continued access to this important ingredient that plays a supportive role in protecting the sport horse from exercise-related oxidative damage.”

Supplement manufacturer NAF shared BETA’s relief.

“As members of the BETA feed committee, we are delighted that the FEI took our robust and evidence-led feedback to their original proposal into consideration and as a result, have not listed MSM,” a NAF spokesman told H&H.

An FEI spokesman confirmed to H&H that the proposal to relist MSM as a controlled medication was withdrawn, and it will not be on the 2024 EPSL.

“As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the FEI must follow the WADA policy on this matter. As all the discussions around the list group are to remain confidential, we cannot share more details at this moment,” he said.

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Top eventer Buck Davidson hopes his recent suspension for an expired therapeutic use exemption (TUE) will act as a warning for others – as the FEI “explores options” to issue renewal reminders.

US championship rider Buck, 47, was suspended on 2 June when a drug test at the Kentucky Three-Day Event on 30 April returned an adverse analytical finding for prohibited substance amphetamine.

Buck confirmed to H&H the substance was a prescribed medication he has been on since childhood, and his TUE had expired without his knowledge. Under FEI rules, if a medication an athlete is required to take for an illness or condition is included in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list, a TUE allows the athlete to take it, and comply with anti-doping rules. Each TUE has a specific duration, after which it expires automatically.

Following the suspension, Buck applied to the International Testing Agency (ITA), which handles FEI human anti-doping cases, for a retrospective TUE. This request was referred to WADA, which needs to give its agreement pursuant to the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemption. On 15 June, Buck’s retrospective TUE was granted.

“The case is therefore not considered as an anti-doping rule violation and no consequence will be imposed. Accordingly, the provisional suspension has been lifted with immediate effect,” an ITA spokesman told H&H.

Buck Davidson on his suspension: a “simple, honest mistake”

Buck told H&H it had been a “simple, honest mistake”, and he hopes by talking about it he can help other riders avoid a similar situation.

“I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was totally fine, and I knew exactly what [the substance] was,” he said.

“I have a secretary, doctor, team doctor, federation, and the expired TUE did not come up on anybody’s radar – we had no idea. I’m not blaming anyone, and it’s my responsibility, but something fell through. I think it needs to be made clear where riders can find out when TUEs are up; I’ve never seen it and I’ve had this TUE for more than a decade.

“Mistakes can happen, but It sucks to be looked at like you’re a drug cheat for a messed-up paperwork issue. Why are we not innocent until proven guilty?”

An FEI spokesman told H&H the “responsibility to apply for a TUE lies on the athlete”.

“Athletes who require a TUE renewal must apply for it before the current TUE expires,” said the spokesman, who added that this is stated on the FEI website.

“The ITA and the FEI are, however, exploring options to send systematic reminders to athletes (where relevant), keeping in mind that ultimately it will be up to the athlete to submit an application for the renewal (providing relevant medical records).”

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Bahrain has been stripped of its world endurance team gold medal after one of its horses tested positive for an anabolic steroid at the re-scheduled championships in Butheeb, UAE, (20–26 February).

Hera Durances, ridden by Abdulrahman Mohammed Alzayed, was found to have the banned substance stanozolol and its metabolite 16-beta-hydroxystanozolo inl her system. These are anabolic steroids used to improve performance by promoting muscular development.

FEI anti-doping rules state that banned substances have “no legitimate use in the competition horse and/or have a high potential for abuse” and “are not permitted for use in the competition horse at any time”.

The horse was disqualified, so the Bahraini team no longer had three counting scores. This means the world team title has been reallocated to France, Portugal takes team silver and Italy bronze.

“While it is never optimal to have medals redistributed following an event due to medication control and anti-doping-related offences, we view this as confirmation that the systems we have in place are thorough and effective”, said FEI legal director Mikael Rentsch.

“The FEI’s clean sport programme has extensive processes to ensure we not only educate the community, but also have the tools to follow up and uphold the rules at play in order to guarantee a level playing field, and safeguard the welfare of our human and equine athletes.”

The rider, Abdulrahman Mohammed Alzayed, and trainer, Muhammad Abbas Khalid, both “explicitly admitted” the rule violation, according to their FEI Tribunal consent awards. Their admissions meant that their bans were both reduced by six months.

This means both were given an 18-month period of ineligibility (suspension), instead of two years. They were each fined CHF5,000 (£4,435) and ordered to pay CHF1,000 for the B-sample testing.

The horse, Hera Durances, was provisionally suspended for two months from 20 March, which the 11-year-old mare has now served and is back competing, finishing second at a ride this month with another rider.

H&H has approached the Bahraini and French federations for comment.

A statement confirming the new result on the French federation website said: “France, which had won gold at the World Equestrian Games in 1994, 2002 and 2006 and finished 2nd in 2010 and 2014, confirms its position as the leading nation in the discipline and has once again demonstrated its irreproachable team spirit, which has allowed to win this new world title.”

A spokesman for campaign group Clean Endurance told H&H it “finds it deeply regrettable that yet again endurance is sullied by a doping case at a major championship”.

“Although we are satisfied with the FEI’s due process which led to the Bahrain team gold medal being rescinded, we very much regret that team France did not get the highest podium on the day,” said the spokesman.

“Their team-based ‘to finish is to win’ strategy, as well as their horsemanship, comforted many endurance stakeholders in their belief that our sport could still have a future.”

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Bahrain may lose its world team gold medal after one of its horses tested positive for an anabolic steroid.

The 11-year-old mare Hera Durances, ridden by Abdulrahman Mohammed Alzayed and trained by Muhammad Abbas Khalid, tested positive for the banned substance stanozolol and its metabolite 16-beta-hydroxystanozolol. The positive finding came following samples taken at the FEI Endurance World Championship in Butheeb, UAE (20 to 26 February).

Hera Durances finished 18th individually, so any ramifications will not impact the individual medals. But her score counted towards Bahrain’s team total. And as only three of the five-strong team produced counting scores, if she is disqualified, the team will lose its medal.

At present, France holds team silver, with Portugal in bronze and Italy fourth.

The FEI clean sport database states that although anabolic steroids have been used in instances with “bona fide medical intent, [they] have also been used illicitly in equine sports to attempt to improve performance, mainly due to their effect of promoting muscular development”.

“The use of anabolic steroids long term, or at high doses carries significant risks,” it adds.

Stanozolol is listed as a banned substance, which means it is defined by the FEI as having “no legitimate use in the competition horse and/or have a high potential for abuse”. The FEI states that banned substances “are not permitted for use in the competition horse at any time”.

An FEI spokesman told H&H: “The athlete, as well as the trainer, have provisionally been suspended as of 20 March 2023. Both now have 20 days to get back to the FEI. The horse has also been provisionally suspended until 19 May 2023.”

She added: “While the proceedings are ongoing the FEI cannot provide any further information.”

H&H has attempted to contact the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation for comment.

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Former champion apprentice Marco Ghiani has apologised “unreservedly” for taking cocaine, as he faces six months on the sidelines.

The Royal Ascot-winning jockey tested positive for a metabolite of the Class A drug at Newcastle in August in a sample taken after he had already ridden three horses at the meeting.

The 23-year-old admitted taking cocaine on two occasions – once on holiday in Italy in July and again in the UK on or about 23 August, two days before his positive test at the Newcastle all-weather fixture.

The panel heard that Mr Ghiani, who was crowned champion apprentice in 2021, recognised that was a “very grave error of judgement on his part” and that he has “reflected considerably since on how he got into that position”.

“Mr Ghiani succumbed to a temptation at a time when he felt vulnerable professionally,” said Rory Mac Neice, representing the jockey at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary hearing this morning (24 November).

“He puts a great deal of pressure on himself to succeed for those who engage him to ride their horses.”

He added: “He has a character tendency to move on from success almost instantly, while allowing perceived failures to stay with him for a considerable length of time.”

Mr Mac Neice said a consequence of being caught, and being caught so quickly, is that Mr Ghiani has been able to receive “considerable help” through the Professional Jockeys Association.

He clarified that this help is not for a dependency on drugs, which Mr Ghiani does not have, but help and support with dealing with the pressures of his profession.

“Being caught so quickly is indicative of the success of the anti-doping regime the BHA has in place,” he added.

The BHA disciplinary panel withdrew Mr Ghiani’s licence for six months from 5 September, the day he was initially stood down.

“Mr Ghiani accepts the breach. He made a full and frank admission, and fully accepts he will serve a penalty at the top of the range of six months,” said Mr Mac Neice, adding that his client “doesn’t ask or seek a discount” for his admissions.

“Mr Ghiani is hugely embarrassed by these events. He apologises unreservedly not just to you and the BHA, but to all those who have and continue to support him.”

Mr Mac Neice said Mr Ghiani “most of all apologises to his fellow jockeys”.

“He feels they would be entirely justified in feeling he had let them down by his use of cocaine,” he said, adding that the jockey will “work hard to regain their trust” and “redeem himself” in the eyes of his colleagues and the racing community.

“He hopes he will be given a chance to make amends for that error of judgement.”

Tomás Nolan, representing the BHA, explained that positive tests related to cocaine sit at the top of the range of applicable penalties, even for a first offence. This is in recognition that it is an illegal drug and the serious reputational harm it brings upon the sport, as well as welfare considerations for the jockey, horses and other riders.

Mr Nolan noted Mr Ghiani’s honesty and admissions, adding that “honesty is expected in BHA investigations and required by the rules”.

Delivering the six-month ban, panel chairman His Honour Philip Curl said: “The panel would wish to emphasise the seriousness of this offence lies in placing in potential jeopardy the health and safety of all the jockeys and horses in races you participated, so soon after taking cocaine.

“We trust when we serve this withdrawal of your licence that you will return to racing, never offend in this way again and have a successful career.”

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British and European reiners have come out in force against the “horrifying” decision to allow horses to compete on a sedative in the US.

H&H reported on the recently approved changes made by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) to its animal welfare and medications policy to allow romifidine to be given to horses 30 minutes before a competition (news, 22 September).

The move was described as “as outrageous as it is wrong” by World Horse Welfare, and reiners outside the US have also spoken in the strongest terms against the change.

British Reining chair Francesca Sternberg told H&H the European NRHA subsidiary has its own rules “and specifically our own medication policy”, and that competitions held in European countries fall under the auspices of each national federation and the European drugs policy.

“The policy is very, very tight,” she said. “They’re basically FEI rules.

“The European association held an extraordinary meeting, and said we want to make it absolutely clear that all Europe will pull together and follow our own policy, which is zero tolerance and high penalties [for doping offences], and that’s what we’ve been doing.”

Mrs Sternberg added that sanctions for doping offences include bans, loss of titles and prize money as well as “naming and shaming”, as in other disciplines, but contrary to past practice in the NRHA.

She said British Reining is among the bodies that have contacted the NRHA in protest at the romifidine decision.

“We are only a small affiliate, but we have already lost one NRHA show as a direct result of this policy publication, and our members are boycotting entering the NRHA classes at next week’s National NRHA Championship show,” the letter reads.

“As British Reining, we are regulated by British Equestrian and have always been fully committed to the wellbeing of the mind, body and spirit of the horse. We believe and support clean sport in every aspect and historically have tested all our main events to maintain the integrity of this. We are greatly surprised and saddened that NRHA would even consider adding this to their welfare and medication policy. Our governing body, British Equestrian, has requested a meeting with our chairman as soon as possible, which will probably be to discuss our disassociation. This will have dire implications for us.

“We hope that common sense, and love for the horse and discipline will prevail, resulting in this decision being reversed as soon as possible.”

Mrs Sternberg added that “as horse people, we are indebted to our animals”.

“It’s an integral part of our ethics that their spirit, health and welfare is at the highest possible level, or we shouldn’t ride them,” she said.

“The change doesn’t come in till next year, so I’m very much hoping they’ll rescind it. I don’t know why they’ve taken that route, but hope very much they’ll reverse it, sooner rather than later, so it never takes effect.

“We’re squeaky clean in Europe, but we’re being tarred by the same brush, and it’s just horrendous. Other countries have written to the NRHA, too, as this is discrediting our discipline. We’re all upset about it.”

An NRHA spokesman told H&H the British Reining letter had been forwarded to the board of directors.

“Any communication received in our office is being responded to and forwarded on to the leadership for their consideration,” she added.

“We have a regular meeting scheduled later in the year for the fourth quarter. There are several conversations and topics being discussed as we lead into that meeting, but the agenda has yet to be set.”

Under the rule change the drug, which is intended to be a “sedative to facilitate handling, examination and treatment, and as a premedication agent prior to general anaesthesia”, may be given at 0.5cc, and must be submitted on the mediations report form.

The NRHA previously told H&H the aim was in the long term to move to a position that does not allow the drug, and that its policy now features sanctions including disqualification and fines up to $30,000, whereas previously “almost all violations resulted in a warning letter”.

You might also be interested in:

‘Outrageous’ decision to allow pre-competition equine sedative

Reining bodies contest FEI decision to sever ties over ‘integrity’ issues

The FEI said the two US organisations have breached the terms of the agreement, but the reining bodies dispute this

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*Update* This article was published in August 2022. The FEI suspension of Roberto Gottarelli to which the article refers ended on 8 March 2023.

A vet who gave a horse a banned substance has been suspended for two years from his FEI roles and fined thousands by the FEI Tribunal.

Roberto Gottarelli, national head vet of San Marino and a member of the Italian equestrian federation, injected jumper Halo with anabolic steroid stanozolol, the FEI Tribunal heard. The mare failed a dope test in Spain (29 September–4 October 2020), where she was competing with Italian rider Giuseppe de Luca.

A letter from Mr Gottarelli said the treatment was for “a fragility” of the cartilage in Halo’s left hock.

“To physiologically stimulate the activity of cartilage cells, I proposed to Mr de Luca the utilisation of Sungate – stanozolol by means of intra-articular injection – three times a week, for a total of four injections,” he wrote. “I specified to the client that this medicine, if administered [this way], normally would not have put him at any risk profile relating to the [anti-doping] list drafted by FEI, on the basis of both the known scientific literature and my professional experience on dozens of cases.”

He said the last injection was on 21 September 2020, that the use of the drug “falls within a precise therapeutic plan”, and that Sungate is authorised by the Italian ministry of health.

The rider was also brought to the FEI Tribunal and said he had seen stanozolol was not allowed, so checked with Mr Gottarelli.

Mr de Luca said he was “assured” by Mr Gottarelli that the way Sungate was to be used was allowed under FEI rules, if the correct detection time was used.

The tribunal found Mr de Luca at fault. His ban was reduced by six months owing to tweaks in the rules, his honesty, cooperation and swift admittal of the rule violation. He served 18 months and was fined CHF5,000 (£4,300).

Mr Gottarelli said his right to a fair trial had been violated as he had written the letter at Mr de Luca’s request to prove the rider had no fault for the positive test.

“[Mr Gottarelli] issued a statement with the best of intentions, unaware that the [rider] was intending to shift the blame […] thereby causing [the vet] to move from a position of a helpful witness to an accused party,” states the Tribunal report.

The vet argued that the FEI was “trying to fix loopholes in its own rules” by maintaining that any horse registered is considered a competition horse, and pointed to his “impeccable reputation” and “commitment to horse welfare.

He said he did not consider Halo a “competition horse” at the time of treatment, as he knew the mare had not competed for almost a year, so “could not have been expected to believe” she was competing, or would be “any time soon”. The FEI said he was Halo’s regular vet, and that she competed eight days after her final injection.

He said he was acting “in the best interest of the horse, and had chosen the most effective treatment under these circumstances” and was not treating to enhance performance.

Zero tolerance

The FEI highlighted its “zero-tolerance” stance on stanozolol, “one of the most-known abusive anabolic steroids in the industry”.

It also argued that given the “various official” vet roles Mr Gottarelli held, he “ought to have been aware of the rules”.

“The FEI believed that [Mr Gottarelli] clearly knew and suspected that he had treated the horse with a banned substance,” states the Tribunal report.

“The FEI stated that they were very curious why [the vet] chose to use Sungate. There were alternative allowed treatments, which may have been equally efficient but with a bit longer rest and recovery time. As such, the FEI queries whether it was logical there was no intent to enhance performance and strongly disagreed [as] the prospect of returning a horse to its normal condition with prohibited substances could only be deemed as trying to enhance performance.”

Mr Gottarelli was given a two-year ineligibility order for his FEI roles, a fine of CHF5,000 and ordered to pay CHF2,000 costs by the FEI Tribunal.

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A US vet who peddled “untested, unsafe and unstable” performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing over nearly two decades has been jailed for 11 years.

Seth Fishman was convicted of two counts of drug adulteration and misbranding, with intent to defraud and mislead, in February, and was sentenced this week. The 51-year-old from Florida was one of more than 30 people charged, in four cases, in March 2020, as a result of an investigation into abuse of racehorses by the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

US Attorney Damian Williams said at the time of conviction: “The jury’s swift conviction of Seth Fishman reflects the overwhelming evidence of his guilt as displayed through this trial. As an ostensible veterinarian – sworn to the care and protection of animals – Fishman cynically violated his oath in service of corrupt trainers and in the pursuit of profits.

“Through the sale of untested, unsafe, and unstable drugs, Fishman’s illegal drug business was a platform for both fraud and animal abuse. Today’s conviction appropriately condemns the danger inherent in Fishman’s crimes and underscores the seriousness with which this office takes the kind of abuse that Fishman practised.”

It was found at the trial that his charges related to a long-term investigation into “widespread schemes by racehorse trainers, veterinarians, performance-enhancing drug [PED] distributors, and others to manufacture, distribute, and receive adulterated and misbranded PEDs and to secretly administer those PEDs to racehorses competing at all levels of professional horseracing”.

“By evading PED prohibitions and deceiving regulators and horseracing officials, participants in these schemes sought to improve race performance and obtain prize money from racetracks throughout the United States and other countries… all to the detriment and risk of the health and wellbeing of the racehorses,” a spokesman for the US Attorney’s office said.

“Trainers who participated in the schemes stood to profit from the success of racehorses under their control by earning a share of their horses’ winnings, and by improving their horses’ racing records, thereby yielding higher trainer fees and increasing the number of racehorses under their control. Indicted veterinarians profited from the sale and administration of these medically unnecessary, misbranded, and adulterated substances.

“Fishman, acting as the manufacturer and distributor of customised PEDs designed specifically to evade anti-doping controls, reaped millions of dollars from the sale of his drugs to trainers around the United States and across the globe.”

It was found that Fishman targeted clients in the racing industry, “peddling dozens of unsafe and untested drugs that purported to have performance-enhancing effects on racehorses”. “He created and marketed these drugs as ‘untestable’ under typical anti-doping drug screens and extolled the virtues of these illegal drugs by describing his method of creating customised products for individual customers in order to silo product lines to reduce the likelihood that detection of doping by trainer would undermine the remainder of Fishman’s corrupt clientele,” the spokesman said.

Misleading and lying

Over the nearly 20 years in which he ran his “doping company” Equestology, Fishman, “took additional efforts to mislead and lie to regulatory authorities in an effort to shield his illegal activity”.

He incorporated a sham business in Panama designed to appear as if his drug operation was outside the jurisdiction of US authorities, “pressured employees to sign non-disclosure agreements intended to gag them if questioned by regulators, designed labels that would give no hint as to the provenance of the unsafe drugs shipped across the country and lied to state investigators regarding the nature of his business when asked directly about his role in Equestology during a Delaware state investigation in 2011, while also bragging to others that he had called in a ‘personal political favour’ to quash that investigation”.

The court heard Fishman claimed to practise as a legitimate vet, using his licence for cover for his drug business. He sold illicit substances including prescription drugs, with fake prescriptions for animals he had never seen or discussed, the spokesman said.

He added: “Those drugs included intravenous and intramuscular injectables that Fishman sold to laypeople for injection into the horses under their purported ‘care’, many of which were seized at premises throughout the country at the time of the original indictments in this case…. Those included ‘blood-building drugs, vasodilators and bags filled with scores of ‘bleeder pills’, each designed to covertly increase performance in affected horses.”

The first count of which Fishman was convicted was in connection with the doping operation of convicted Jorge Navarro, the second in connection with Equestology.

This week, Mr Williams added: “The sentence today sends a strong message that those looking to profit from the sale of illegal drugs intended to corruptly dope racehorses stand to face serious consequences for their crimes. The defendant earned his livelihood in service of greed and animal abuse, and will face a steep price for his crimes.”

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Australian showjumper Jamie Kermond has been banned for two years for the use of cocaine, which cost him his place at the Tokyo Games.

In July 2021 Jamie, 36, was provisionally suspended after he returned a positive A-sample for a metabolite of cocaine, following a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia on 26 June.

Jamie had been due to represent Australia on Yandoo Oaks Constellation in Tokyo, alongside team-mates Edwina Tops-Alexander and Katie Laurie. The team did not have a travelling reserve after Rowan Willis had previously pulled out, and so Jamie’s suspension put the team’s place in jeopardy. But in the end Edwina and Katie were granted permission from the International Olympic Committee to compete as individuals.

Today (3 March) Sport Integrity Australia said Jamie had been banned for the presence of benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) and for the use of cocaine.

“Although the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code introduced more lenient sanctions for some illicit drug use outside of competition, in Mr Kermond’s matter it was determined that he used cocaine during the in-competition period, on and/or between 24 June 2021 and 26 June 2021,” read the statement.

“In equestrian sport the in-competition period starts from when an athlete checks in their horse the day before the competition through to the end of the last competition at the event for that athlete. As such, Equestrian Australia imposed a two-year ban on Mr Kermond commencing on 26 June 2021.”

Jamie cannot participate in any sports that have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code until 26 June 2023. He is suspended on the FEI database.

Sport Integrity Australia chief executive David Sharpe said the case was a “stark reminder” to all athletes about the risk of illicit drugs.

“Illegal drugs have no place in an athlete’s life – their use leaves athletes vulnerable to anti-doping violations, health risks, criminal charges and exposes them to the threat of blackmail which increases their risk of being approached for match-fixing,” Mr Sharpe said.

“There is simply no room for these drugs in sport.”

At the time of the positive result last summer, Jame had said the result was “likely” from a “single recreational use” of the drug during a social event, and had no connections with the sport.

“I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened and I accept full responsibility,” he said.

“I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and team-mates. Hopefully one day I can be forgiven for my mistake and make amends through better actions and continued contribution to the sport I know and love.”

You might also be interested in:

Showjumper ruled out of Tokyo after positive cocaine test

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THE FEI is satisfied a policy brought in last year to provide greater flexibility around anti-doping violations that likely occur as a result of contamination has “delivered on its purpose”.

Under the atypical finding (ATF) policy, which launched in January 2021, if a horse tests positive for certain listed prohibited substances, the FEI will initially treat this as an ATF and give the person responsible an opportunity to establish the source of the prohibited substance. After information is gathered, the ATF panel makes a decision on the case. If the panel is satisfied, no further action is taken and the results from the event where the positive sample was taken are not disqualified.

If the person responsible cannot establish the source of the prohibited substance – or the panel is not satisfied with the explanation given – the FEI must treat the case as an adverse analytical finding, and disciplinary proceedings under anti-doping rules will apply.

The FEI has published its ATF report for 2021, during which 12 ATFs were reported. Nine cases involved prohibited substances “generally considered more likely to have been ingested by horses through a contaminated feed source”. Of the 12 cases, four (three showjumping and one dressage case) were closed and eight (showjumping, eventing and endurance cases) were pursued as AAFs.

“Following the first year of the policy’s implementation, the FEI is satisfied the policy delivered on its purpose of providing greater flexibility of the equine anti-doping and controlled medication programme – and in doing so addressed the requests from athletes and national federations in that regard,” an FEI spokesman told H&H, adding it believes “clear processes” that are “easily understandable” had been established and the panel had been issuing “timely and well-reasoned” decisions.

The spokesman said the policy establishes an “additional protective layer” for athletes and their support personnel in cases of suspected contamination or in cases of potentially endogenous [naturally occurring] substances.

“Nonetheless, this should in no way replace the anti-doping protocols that each athlete should adopt in the management of horses, which not only aid in preventing any potential ATF/AAF but also facilitate investigation and collection of evidence should the horse’s sample return an ATF/AAF,” he said.

The policy was launched following concerns from national federations about contamination cases, including a number of cases involving synephrine in 2019. That year the South African federation requested synephrine be removed from the prohibited list, as it is a naturally occurring substance in the country’s grass, but the request was turned down.

An FEI spokesman told H&H while synephrine, which is classified as a specified substance, can be naturally occurring, “it can also be abused”. He added that the FEI and its approved laboratories have evaluated the synephrine cases and “adjusted the reporting levels for the substance” and there have been no cases since.

South African showjumper Lisa Williams’s horse Campbell returned a positive sample for synephrine in 2019 after eating hay from South Africa that naturally contained the substance. At a Tribunal she was found not to be at fault and was not suspended or fined, but her competition results, including a World Cup leg win, remained disqualified. She has welcomed the ATF policy.

“The policy is a revolutionary concept for athletes who can prove contamination. I am glad to know that if my case happened today there would be no violation, but I am frustrated that since the policy was not in effect when my horse tested positive, the FEI declined to apply it retrospectively and I was still sanctioned with disqualification of my result,” she said, adding that it would be “better and less problematic” if synephrine was removed from the list. The FEI said during Ms William’s Tribunal the policy could not be applied retrospectively as this would “threaten the level playing field” and provide a disadvantage to others who have had synephrine cases.

“It is very hard for us to avoid contamination in most cases and it would help for the FEI to calculate performance enhancing levels of all substances, and not penalise athletes unfairly for substances that are not enhancing performance in any way.”

You might also be interested in:

Anti-doping rule changes agreed for horse sport

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The rider of a horse who tested positive for a banned substance that occurs naturally in some countries’ grass has been found not to be at fault, but her World Cup qualifier win remains disqualified.

South African showjumper Lisa Williams’ horse Campbell returned a positive urine sample for synephrine following their win on 29 August 2019 at the CSI*-W in Polokwane, South Africa.

Synephrine, a stimulant that is found in grass in countries including South Africa, is classed as a banned and specified substance by the FEI. Specified substances “should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other prohibited substances” but they are those that are more likely to have been ingested by horses “for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance”.

On 30 September 2019 Lisa Williams was notified by the FEI of the anti-doping rule breach and was not provisionally suspended, as synephrine is a specified substance. Campbell was provisionally suspended for two months.

At a preliminary tribunal hearing in 2019, Ms Williams said because of Campbell’s history of tying up and laminitis, she fed ad hoc low-sugar hay, and that, as she had since found out, the only hay available in South Africa contained synephrine. Ms Williams provided evidence such as laboratory certificates for grass samples, including from the “FEI secure grazing area”, from the Revil Stables showground where the event was held, that confirmed synephrine was present. She also provided a letter and her invoice from Midfeeds, South Africa’s largest feed supplier, confirming the presence of synephrine in her hay.

Following the positive sample, Ms Williams discovered synephrine was a natural substance found in grass fed to horses, as well as various weeds, bushes and trees. She added that “even being aware of synephrine does not change the position for South African riders as there is no alternative feed”. According to Ms Williams’ witness, Dr Schalk de Kock who holds a PhD in biochemistry, it is “almost impossible” to find synephrine-free grass in South Africa.

Ms Williams also referred to a statement from the South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF) in July 2019 stating that the federation will no longer screen/prosecute SAEF samples for synephrine at national shows.

In its written response, the FEI acknowledged there was a “significant” number of synephrine cases during an extended period in 2019, including in Mexico, Spain, and 11 from South Africa, which were “similar to these proceedings”. In those South African cases it was confirmed synephrine naturally occurred in teff grass, which was fed to all the horses as the main source of nutrition and the FEI noted no suitable alternative existed. Consequently, the FEI was satisfied Ms Williams established how synephrine entered Campbell’s system.

The FEI proposed a settlement agreement with Ms Williams on the terms that she admitted the violation, had established how the substance entered Campbell’s system, she would not serve any period of ineligibility, Campbell’s two-month suspension would remain, and the results achieved by Ms Williams and Campbell during the whole event are disqualified.

Ms Williams did not agree to the proposed terms, specifically her results being disqualified, and she asked to present her case to the FEI Tribunal.

The FEI submitted to the Tribunal that as the positive test occurred during an event, to “safeguard the level playing field”, Campbell’s results at that event should be disqualified. The FEI explained it always applied disqualification for a whole event, unless the person responsible can establish with a negative test that a horse did not compete with a prohibited substance. The FEI added that in all synephrine cases so far, the results from the events concerned have been disqualified, and if the Tribunal chose to decide differently, an “unfairness” would be created that would “threaten the level playing field” and provide a disadvantage to those who have entered settlement agreements previously for synephrine.

The FEI requested that no fines be imposed in this case, and that the FEI and Ms Williams pay their own legal costs.

At the Tribunal hearing on 18 October during the FEI’s opening arguments it emphasised the hearing was “mainly” about the disqualification of Ms Williams’ results. She argued that synephrine did not have any performance-enhancing effects, and the rule disqualifying her results should only be applied in circumstances where the substance had such an effect.

The FEI said a suggestion was made to the FEI list group in 2019 by the SAEF to change the status of synephrine, but following a review, this was declined.

In Ms William’s opening submissions, she stated her appreciation of the FEI for declaring this was a no fault or negligence case, and that she would serve no suspension and receive no fine, but said a hearing was “necessary as this was an atypical case” and she wanted to explain the “unique circumstances”.

She referred to the FEI’s acknowledgement in 2019 that synephrine was present in feed in a number of countries, and as a result of this SAEF had stopped testing for the substance – but said in contrast the FEI was testing for it, which provided an “unlevel playing field”. She considered that “unequal treatment existed between the FEI and the national authority in South Africa, and this was “difficult to accept”.

Ms Williams added that any horses who were unable to give urine samples at the event had to have blood samples taken, and blood samples did not return adverse analytical findings for synephrine, which “further destabalised the playing field”. She noted this “caused an issue where competitors would withhold water from horses to prevent urine samples being taken which created further welfare issues for these horses”.

She said when the FEI list group was asked to consider the removal of synephrine from the banned list, “a whole body of evidence” was submitted by the SAEF, which she believed to be compelling enough to warrant its removal. She said the SAEF appealed the rejection and in response to requests from national federations for the anti-doping system to be more flexible around contamination, the FEI introduced the atypical findings policy (ATF) in January 2021.

Ms Williams said if this policy had been in place in 2019, her results would have been maintained and she asked the Tribunal to retroactively apply the ATF policy to her case. At the event in question she knew there would be no feed merchants and therefore brought her own hay (bought from Midfeeds). She won her class, and her horse was selected for sample with “no concerns” and she was shocked to find out about the positive sample weeks later. She said when she returned to South Africa, she heard about a fellow rider whose horse tested positive for synephrine in 2019.

In closing statements the FEI acknowledged there was an appeal regarding the list group’s decision for synephrine to remain on the banned list, but no decision was taken on the matter and the parties requested a one-year “stay”, which was granted to see how the ATF policy “would work out” in respect of synephrine. The FEI added the ATF policy had worked well to date. Under the policy, specified substances are reported as an ATFs, rather than adverse analytical findings. The FEI notifies the person responsible, who has the opportunity to provide an explanation. Once the FEI has gathered the relevant information this is submitted to the ATF panel for consideration.

The FEI said the policy came into effect in 2021 and cannot be applied retrospectively to 2019, and changes to the policy can only be made with the approval of the FEI board. The FEI said it “fully understood this was a very unfortunate situation for everyone involved and acknowledged Ms Williams had always ensured the welfare needs of her horses”, but that the same rules for the same cases, and in line with those rules in place in 2019, must apply.

Ms William concluded by asking the Tribunal to review the case from her position, that the “vast majority of horses would have been positive for synephrine if they had been selected for testing”. She said it was “completely counter to the idea of a level playing field” if only two horses were picked for testing out of a whole field, owing to their success at the event.

The Tribunal found that Ms Williams had established on a balance of probability how synephrine entered Campbell’s system and she bore no fault or negligence, and agreed that no fine would be imposed.

The Tribunal took into account the arguments and case law presented with regard to the disqualified results, but ruled there was “no room for any form of discretion” in relation to the mandatory automatic disqualification of results in connection with anti-doping rule violations. The Tribunal also agreed that the ATF policy cannot be applied retrospectively.

The Tribunal upheld that Ms Williams’ results from the event would remain disqualified. Ms Williams can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days.

Lisa Williams told H&H that “unfortunately” she does not think it is financially viable to take the matter further, but she “truly believes” the outcome of her Tribunal “should have been different”.

You might also be interested in:

Urgent calls for action to reduce contamination risks at shows

Anti-doping rule changes agreed for horse sport

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Concerns over the increase in spread widths in mountain and moorland (M&M) Heritage working hunter pony classes was the hottest topic of debate at the BSPS members’ conference held virtually on 19 January.

Championship show vice-chairman Philip Hilton confirmed that the reason for the change has come from “pleading course-builders, judges and competitors” who had made note of the lack of challenge in Heritage working hunter classes at championship shows.

“These are performance classes and competitors should expect to be challenged,” said Philip. “Many of these classes are held on sand arenas and the level of competition is only increasing. However, the BSPS has taken the communication received on board and will be reviewing this rule if it does not work. Furthermore, there will only be one spread at the maximum height in the course. This fence will also not be part of a combination and will be placed towards the end of the course. I’ve seen some very capable ponies on the circuit so we encourage competitors to give it a go and we welcome feedback.”

Several members questioned the rule amendment, including Christine Pearsall who voiced concerns that the exceeding 143cm section was rapidly becoming a “Connemara class” and that the increase would only discourage entries from owners of other breeds.

Competitor Freya Cade said while Heritage novice classes consistently received strong entries, the open and restricted Heritage ranks were lacking in numbers and the change would only deter people further. She suggested “adding clever lines and increasing technicalities instead of putting a big back rail on a spread” to make the classes more challenging.

In sum, BSPS council member Paul Cook said that at the judges’ conference in February, the society will make a concrete decision on the ruling, taking into account the members’ feelings and advice from native breed societies as well as judges.

New developments for 2022

Among other rule changes and developments for the 2022 season discussed during the conference, the new winter worker stakes classes were warmly welcomed.

“We were concerned about the lack of ponies coming through the working hunter classes so a plan was hatched to encourage young ponies with no pressure,” said Philip. “The classes have no rider age limit so siblings, trainers and parents can introduce a pony to competition. The marking system will be skewed towards the jumping phase and there will be no mark for breed type.”

Finally, Philip announced the BSPS’s new rule that competitors who want to ride at the Royal International (RIHS) in the working hunter pony finals must have ridden in two qualifiers before they can compete at the championship.

“The RIHS has requested this in an attempt to improve the standard of riding in the working hunter pony final, which is currently felt to not be at a level expected at a major championship,” said Philip. “This will hopefully ensure riders are more prepared and it will also go some way in eliminating the concern that one jockey is riding in the qualifier and another at the final.”

The fact that riders in Ireland only have one qualifier to attend will be considered by the board and reported back to members.

Joanne Pybus, chairman of area chairmen and of BSPS area 1A, confirmed the importance of members supporting their local area where possible. She also discussed the rule that all area shows with RIHS qualifiers must elect a non-competing committee member to select the qualifying judges, and she reminded that BSPS area shows who hold sport horse or show horse RIHS qualifiers must abide by the rule that no committee members can compete in those classes at the show.

Further adding to the RIHS discussion, it was confirmed that qualifiers and finals held during 2022 will continue without a marking system and that judges will be given guidance on how to judge with no marks in big classes.

Important rule changes

BSPS secretary Karen Ward highlighted a few key rule changes members should be aware of, including rider age changes. From 2022, the age from which riders can take part in tiny tots and first ridden classes has changed from five to four, and riders of Pretty Polly-eligible 138cm and 148cm show ponies can now be aged up to 18 years old, while riders of Pretty Polly-eligible not exceeding 133cm and not exceeding 153cm show hunter ponies can be up to 20 years old.

“This is to give people who might have a part-bred, and are still of a suitable size to ride their pony, more opportunities and to encourage more home-producers,” said Karen.

Karen also announced that in Heritage ridden classes, galloping will only be permitted in individual shows and that riders of working hunter ponies can now ride two ponies in the same height section and both ponies can be placed.

Dope-testing officer Dawn Christie reinforced the importance of members being aware of the anti-doping rules brought into play in 2021.

“Any ignorance of the rules is totally unacceptable,” said Dawn. “Equine societies are now standing side by side against the doping of ponies and horses, so please read the rules and be aware.”

Pathways for future judges and social media use were also touched on. The BSPS advised members to be aware of the pros and cons of social media and to “pause and consider if a post will cause harm, distress or will be derogatory” before they press send. The society is aware of the importance of social media but won’t accept misuse.

Chairman of the BSPS judge assessment committee Paul Cook paid tribute to those the showing world has recently lost, including esteemed judges Allan Robertson and Rosemary Young. He also thanked the organisers of the major championship shows for their work during 2021, a challenging year for equestrian sport in general owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vice chairman Nigel Hollings concluded the conference by thanking the outgoing chairman Pat Pattinson who has held the position for 11 years and will be retiring at the AGM in February.

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No cases of human or equine doping were recorded in equestrian sport in Tokyo – as the FEI confirms a “comprehensive” review of the Olympic format will take place ahead of Paris 2024.

Of 38 tests carried out in Tokyo, on 24 Olympic horses, including all individual medallists and those placed fourth, plus at least one horse from all medal-winning and fourth-placed teams. Random and targeted testing was also carried out. Another 38 tests were carried out at the Paralympics on medal-winning horses, plus random and targeted testing.

Human testing at the Olympics was carried out by the International Testing Agency, an independent not-for-profit anti-doping organisation. The testing at the Paralympics was carried out by the Tokyo 2020 organising committee.

FEI president Ingmar De Vos said he was “very proud” to confirm, for the third Games in a row, that all human and equine samples taken in Tokyo had returned negative.

“This should of course be business as usual, but it would be naïve to think that clean Games are guaranteed in any sport. As with all sports in the Olympic movement, the samples will be kept in storage for up to 10 years for potential retesting as improved processes are developed to test for substances that were not reliably detectable at the time of sampling,” he said.

“For now, this result validates all the work that has gone into the FEI clean sport educational campaign over the years, the buy-in of our national federations and the uptake of equine pre-arrival testing and elective testing to ensure our horses would compete clean at the Games.”

Mr De Vos reflected on the Games including the format of the equestrian competition, which changed for Tokyo 2020 to include three riders in a team – instead of four.

“There is no doubt that despite the challenges our sport triumphed in Tokyo and we received lots of very positive feedback. But as always, there are plenty of lessons learnt and key takeaways,” he said.

“There will be a full debrief, which will include a comprehensive review of the formats. Part of that process will be taking into account the feedback we have already received and we are also proactively reaching out to our community to ensure we get extensive input. We will use the learnings from these Games to take forward to Paris 2024.”

Mr De Vos added that all medallists from this year’s Games deserve “huge congratulations”.

“We can look back on incredible sport at Tokyo 2020, with truly great Olympic champions in all three disciplines and in the five Paralympic grades, across both the team and individual competitions. We are blessed with sensational athletes, both equine and human,” he said.

“We all owe a huge debt of thanks to our Japanese hosts in Tokyo, especially to the unbelievably hard-working and dedicated organising committee and the wonderful volunteers. Nothing was too much trouble for them and while we couldn’t see the smiles behind the mandatory masks, we could feel the warmth in their hearts.”

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The FEI tribunal has ruled an endurance trainer’s suggestion that a horse tested positive for beta blockers at a UK event owing to a groom being on heart medication, was “weak, to say the least”.

Feline X tested positive for banned substance atenolol, a beta blocker used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and obstructive cardiac disease, following blood and urine samples taken at the CEI*80 at Euston Park on 16 June 2019. A banned substance is a substance deemed by the FEI to have no legitimate use in competition horses and/or have a high potential for abuse. Banned substances are not permitted for use in competition horses at any time.

On 26 August 2019 the FEI provisionally suspended Feline X’s rider Pane Singh Amar Singh (the person responsible) and trainer Fadhl Manea Saleh Al Mathil (the additional person responsible).

In December 2019 Mathil submitted to the FEI that he did not understand the positive finding, and upon receipt of the notification he “analysed the situation” with his team to determine how it could have occurred. Following an investigation it “appeared” one of his grooms, who is in contact with horses and their feeding, has a heart condition and needs to take regular antihypertensive pills. He added this was not an “excuse”, but it was the only option he could think of that could have caused the positive sample. Singh did not provide any submission to the FEI with regard to the allegations.

The case was submitted to the FEI Tribunal on 29 March 2021. The FEI submitted to the Tribunal that in endurance, trainers by definition take decisions with regard to horses they are registered for, and Mathil is presumed to be the person responsible for taking “relevant decisions on the conditioning of the horse for the competition”.

Under anti-doping rules it is the FEI’s burden to establish all elements of the rule violation to the satisfaction of the Tribunal. As Feline X tested positive for a banned substance, this constituted “sufficient proof” of the violation and Mathil or Singh did not dispute the presence of the atenolol in the horse’s system. While Mathil did submit the sample could have resulted from human-horse contamination, he did not provide any evidence supporting this allegation such as the name and testimony of the groom, or documentation evidencing the groom‘s alleged medical condition.

“No document was provided to actually prove that it was indeed a human-horse contamination instead of voluntary doping. If we were to accept such concise, unsubstantiated and non-corroborated statement as a proof of human-horse contamination, then the whole anti-doping system, and efforts to eradicate doping in sport would be undermined,” said the FEI.

On 10 August 2021 the Tribunal ruled the FEI had sufficiently proven the offence under the anti-doping rules, and the Tribunal was “not convinced” Mathil or Singh had established the source of the banned substance on the balance of probabilities.

“The person responsible (PR) [Singh] did not submit any position, which in itself does not need any further explanations,” read the decision.

“As to the additional person responsible (APR) [Mathil], the Tribunal rules he failed to submit conclusive information and evidence, to prove that it was indeed through the medicines of his groom (or a third party) that the horse’s system was contaminated with atenolol. The APR’s explanations are weak, to say the least, and are not substantiated. Accepting a sole letter – without any supporting evidence, at all – as a fact is therefore not something admissible in the Tribunal’s view. Rather, it was the APR (and the PR)’s burden of proving how the prohibited substance entered the horse’s system. Both failed to prove how the prohibited substance entered the horse’s body.”

Singh and Mathil were banned for two years. The Tribunal took into account the pair had been provisionally suspended since 26 August 2019, and did not compete or train during the period of suspension, so the ban is in place until 25 August 2021. Both were fined 7,500 Swiss francs (£5,867) each.

Singh and Mathil can appeal the Tribunal’s decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport within 21 days.

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An endurance rider and trainer has been given a record ban for three separate doping offences in a year – two while he was provisionally suspended.

The case of Saudi Arabian Rafae Alamri related to three anti-doping rule breaches in 2019. The case was heard by the FEI Tribunal and a decision was issued at the end of last month.

The first offence occurred at the CEI2* 120km at Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, on 2 February 2019. Blood samples taken from the horse Walfan, trained and ridden by Alamri, were found to contain reserpine, a tranquiliser with long-term sedation effects, and heptaminol, a stimulant that dilutes blood vessels, both of which are banned substances. The sample also contained controlled medication phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone, anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effects.

Alamri was provisionally suspended from all competition as of 4 March 2019, and Walfan was provisionally suspended from 4 March to 3 May 2019. On 19 March Alamri wrote to the FEI legal department with a “short explanation”, in which he apologised for the findings and claimed he was “not aware of the medicines” as pharmacies had given him the drugs, and he was “new to this type of competition”, as was Walfran.

The second offence related to Walfan at the CEI1* 110 at Al Qaseem, Saudi Arabia, on 9 March 2019, where the gelding tested positive for phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone. At the event Alamri was the registered trainer, and the rider was Ali Alhashem – but Alhashem and Walfan were prevented from competing as the horse was provisionally suspended. The FEI issued separate proceedings against Alhashem and on 6 October the FEI Tribunal sanctioned him to six months’ ineligibility.

The third case related to the CEI2* at 120 Al Ula, Saudi Arabia on 1 February 2020, where the horse Ankor Class, trained by Alamri and ridden by Alhashem, provided urine and blood samples which tested positive for phenylbutazone and oxybutazone. On 31 March Alamri was notified by the FEI that this third rule violation would be processed in a consolidated procedure with the first and second offences.

On 4 April the FEI received an email from the Saudi Arabian equestrian federation who confirmed they had contacted Alamri to notify him of the charges relating to Ankor Class. The federation “reminded him” he was provisionally suspended and not eligible to participate or attend in any capacity, including as a spectator, any event authorised or organised by the FEI or any national federation. He was also prohibited from training any FEI and/or national horses during his provisional suspension.

The federation told the FEI the Alamri stated he was not the trainer of Ankor Class. He alleged he did not attend the event and that his name was added by the horse’s owner in the entry system “in error”. As Alamri did not inform the federation of this before the event, he has accepted “any consequences” related to this error. Alamri did not submit any explanation in respect of the second or third doping offence.

In relation to the first offence the FEI submitted to the Tribunal that as Alamri did not dispute the presence of the substances or provide an explanation, the FEI had discharged its burden of establishing that Alamri had violated an anti-doping rule. With regard to the second and third offences, the FEI submitted Alamri did not dispute the presence of the samples, or respond to the FEI notification letters. Given this, the FEI maintained it had discharged the burden of establishing that Alamri had violated the rules.

In order to determine the applicable length of ineligibility, the FEI submitted the fault or negligence for each rule violation by Alamri must be evaluated – but as Alamri had failed to establish how the prohibited substances entered Walfan or Ankor Class it was not possible to evaluate the degree of level of fault or negligence based on the applicable rules. As a consequence, the FEI submitted that the presumption of fault, as stipulated in the rules, should stand for each violation.

Under anti-doping rules, if an aggravating circumstance is established by the FEI, the period of ineligibility can be increased up to a maximum of four years unless the person responsible can prove to the Tribunal that they did not knowingly commit the offence. The FEI outlined a number of aggravating circumstances; the sample in the first offence involved three different prohibited substances, no evidential explanation was provided, and the combination of the prohibited substances is uncommon and not normally associated with a legitimate medical treatment and may have been administered for intentional purposes. And given Alamri’s explanation in relation to the first offence that “the horse is new and I want to prepare him for the races” and the nature of the detected substances, the FEI concluded the products were intentionally administered, and as Alamri was also the trainer it was “impossible” to accept the claim that a “cocktail” of substances had been administered without his knowledge.

The FEI submitted that the rule violations took place within 12 months and Alamri was notified of each violation after each occurrence, so they should be considered as separate offences for the purposes of deciding an ineligibility period. The FEI explained to the Tribunal that the period should be examined in greater detail owing to the “unique elements” of the case; three violations have been consolidated, substantial delays occurred due to a backlog of cases the FEI legal department was dealing with, and although Alamri had not competed as a rider since 2 February 2019, he was a registered trainer on the FEI database. As such he violated the provisional suspension served on 4 March. The FEI “explicitly” removed Alamri from the database in 2019 following the second offence, but he was again registered by his national federation as a trainer in 2020 which was a “clear violation” of the rules.

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When considering when a period of ineligibility should start, the FEI submitted Alamri “consciously and deliberately” violated his provisional suspension so he should not receive any credit for it. Consequently the FEI requested the ineligibility starts from the date of the Tribunal’s decision.

The Tribunal found the FEI had established the adverse analytical findings and sufficiently proven the violations of the rules and noted Alamri had failed to establish how prohibited substances entered Walfan and Ankor Class in all three cases.

After reviewing the sanctioning scenarios proposed by the FEI and with regard to aggravating factors, the Tribunal upheld the three charges. The Tribunal ruled Alamri should serve a ban of seven and a half years, and must pay a fine of 35,000 Swiss francs (£27,620) beginning on the Tribunal decision date – 24 June 2021. He must also pay the FEI’s 4,000 Swiss francs (£3,156) legal costs. Alamri may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of the notification.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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H&H has been reporting for some time on contamination causing positive dope tests. Recent research looked at the causes of positive tests in racing and FEI competition, and what could be done to prevent such incidents

THE vast majority of positive dope tests in racing and FEI competition are not deliberate “foul play” but the result of mistakes with withdrawal time, contamination or human error.

The findings of research into positive equine samples taken over the past five years, in British and Irish racing and all FEI disciplines, were revealed at a webinar on 30 June.

Kevin Corley, director and founder of specialist app EquiTrace, and a specialist in equine internal medicine and critical care, spoke about methods to reduce error in medicating competition horses.

“We’ve all seen the headlines, unfortunately, and they’re not only damaging to the trainers involved, they’re damaging to the vets, the owners, the jockeys, and the sport we all love,” he said. “But when we look behind the headlines, it’s often not people being malicious or trying to cheat, it’s often ignorance or simple human error, but someone trying to cheat gets treated exactly the same way.

“So how can we prevent this?”

Mr Corley said that in five years, there were 109 positive samples in racing. Of these, 51% were caused by a too-short withdrawal time, 10% were after the wrong horse had been given medication, 14% were down to human contamination, such as urinating in stables, 8% were environmental factors, and 13% were “other”; unknown cause or a one-off situation.

“Only 4% were someone trying to do something wrong,” he said, adding that this included disgruntled jockeys or trainers trying to frame others. “The vast majority were simple mistakes.”

In FEI competition, 40% of the last 100 cases that went to the Tribunal were caused by a too-short withdrawal time. 17% were a result of ignorance, such as the rider not realising something contained a banned substance, and 23% environmental. In 10 cases, the rider did not give an explanation, 8% were human contamination, 1% were the wrong horse and 1% forgot the drug had been given.

Mr Corley spoke of the need for accurate records and strict protocols to avoid the “wrong horse” situations, and other common pitfalls such as drugs sold under very similar names, or the same name in different countries but that contain different and banned ingredients. He referred to humans taking antihistamines, or using hair-growth products that have contaminated horses and led to positive tests.

“It’s not possible to be completely safe,” he said. “There can always be some strange physiology or similar that causes a horse to metabolise a drug more slowly, but we’re trying to move the bar so it’s only extreme outliers that test positive by accident.

“Most of the time, by eliminating human error, and putting the right systems in place, you can reduce the chance of a positive test.”

EquiTrace uses microchip numbers to keep full records of horses’ medication, and can trace their movements.

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This is the first case to come before the British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel but it is not the only case the authority is aware of. H&H finds out more, and what this will mean for riders in other disciplines

EQUESTRIANS competing under anti-doping rules have been warned of the low “but possible” risk of arsenic contamination from historically treated wood.

Racehorse Hell’s Kitchen, trained by Harry Fry, was found to have arsenic above the permitted level in his system after he finished fourth in the 2019 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Mr Fry was cleared of any culpability by the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) disciplinary panel on 29 March, so faced no sanctions other than the disqualification of Hell’s Kitchen from the race and the return of the £21,200 prize money. The most likely cause was said to be the horse chewing timber beams in his stable that had been treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate) creosote years before Mr Fry moved into the yard in 2014. The horse was not unwell and Mr Fry has since moved again, for unrelated reasons.

Arsenic was historically used in creosote timber treatments, but was banned as an ingredient in the mid-2000s, and can linger for years.

The BHA started testing for arsenic at the start of 2019 and although Mr Fry’s case was the first to come before the panel, the hearing heard it is “not the only case [the BHA] is aware of”.

“There is a warning here about the danger of treated wood, which will no doubt be recognised by others that may be in the same position,” said panel chairman, Brian Barker QC.

Arsenic is currently a banned substance under FEI rules, but changes on how it is classified could be in the pipeline.

“Arsenic has this week been discussed by the FEI list group, which advises on the classification of substances within the FEI equine prohibited substances list,” FEI veterinary director Göran Åkerström told H&H.

“The Group’s proposal will now go forward for consultation with the national federations prior to approval by the FEI Board.

“As arsenic is an environmental contaminant, we are currently controlling reporting of arsenic findings with the use of an FEI screening limit, which is higher than the international threshold.”

David Rendle, chairman of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s health and medicines committee, told H&H after the hearing that arsenic is found in the environment at low levels, but at high levels it causes potentially fatal illness

“Because it is toxic, the inclusion of arsenic in many products, including timber preservatives, has been banned,” he explained. “Racehorses have tested positive for arsenic following ingestion of treated timber in a number of countries, and the feeding of seaweed (naturally high in arsenic) has also been implicated.

“Some racing authorities have issued warnings of the risks of racehorses chewing treated timber, but warnings were not issued in the UK because the introduction of testing for arsenic came some time after the use of arsenic in timber treatments was prohibited.”

Mr Rendle said Mr Fry’s case “highlights the possibility” that treated timber in old stables may contain arsenic.

“The chances of horses testing positive as a result of chewing timber are low, but this case demonstrates that it is possible,” he said. “As analytical methods become more sophisticated and minuscule concentrations of drugs and contaminants can be detected in urine, trainers face an increasingly difficult job eliminating the possibility of prohibited substances entering their horses.”

The hearing

THE disciplinary panel heard that a series of events, including wet weather, meant the horse spent more time in his box than usual over the previous weeks. Teeth marks were found on the beams, and the arsenic levels in the wood in the stable were more than four times higher than in the neighbouring box.

There was debate over possible contributory factors, such as the amount of contaminated wood the horse would have needed to eat – suggested to be around 100g – and the possibility that arsenic levels within the timber itself may not be constant. There was also the question of whether the fact the sample was taken straight after the race, when the horse would have been dehydrated, may have had a bearing on the levels in his samples. The BHA tests to a threshold of 300ng/ml, and the amount found in Hell’s Kitchen’s urine sample was 337ng/ml. The B-sample confirmed the result.

Mr Fry’s barrister Roderick Moore told the hearing his client had cooperated fully with the BHA, and there was no suggestion he could have done anything further to prevent the positive test.

“His is a state-of-the art training establishment and no stone is left unturned in preventing positive samples,” he said.

“Every known precaution is taken and whenever the BHA gives out advice for trainers to be aware of, that advice is taken on board by Mr Fry. There is, at the moment, no advice about treated timber as I and Mr Fry understand it.”

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Creosote used in a stable years before a trainer moved in has been blamed after a top racehorse tested positive for arsenic.

Hell’s Kitchen, trained by Harry Fry, was found to have arsenic above the permitted level in his system after finishing fourth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

The case was cited as a “warning” to others at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary panel hearing on Monday (29 March), even though the trainer was cleared of any culpability.

The likely cause was found to be that the horse had chewed timber beams in his stable that had been treated with a CCA (chromated copper arsenate) wood preservative, which contains arsenic, prior to Mr Fry’s move to the yard in 2014. Mr Fry has since moved yards again, for unrelated reasons.

Arsenic was historically used in creosote timber treatments, before it was banned as an ingredient in the mid-2000s, and can “linger” for years. The BHA started testing for it at the start of 2019 and the hearing was told that while this is the first case to come before the disciplinary panel, it is “not the only case [the BHA] is aware of”.

Mr Fry’s barrister, Roderick Moore, explained that arsenic is a “ubiquitous” chemical element, meaning it is found naturally “all over the place” in soil, water and plants across the world.

The BHA tests to a threshold of 300ng/ml for this reason, and the amount found in Hell’s Kitchen’s urine sample was close to that (337ng/ml). The B-sample was also tested and confirmed the result.

Suspicions that timber in the horse’s stable could have led to the positive test were strengthened when tests, as part of an unannounced visit from BHA inspectors, found arsenic levels in that wood to be more than four times higher than the neighbouring box.

The panel heard that the wet winter meant the horse’s usual daily turnout paddock was unusable, so he was kept in, which they believed could have led to him to chew the beams.

Charlotte Davison, representing the BHA, told the panel there was nothing to suggest Mr Fry had used the wrong creosote.

During the unannounced visit, inspectors found that the wood preservative used by Mr Fry the previous year contained only “negligible amounts” of the element, not enough to result in a failed dope test. The horse and 11 others were tested as part of the unannounced BHA visit, all were negative, and other items in the yard, including feed and supplements, also showing “negligible levels”.

While it could not be said in absolute certainty that the wood in the stable was the definite source, both the BHA’s expert and the expert appointed by Mr Fry agreed it was the most likely cause.

Ms Davison added that the BHA has “no evidence to suggest” the timber in the horse’s stable was not the cause of the positive test.

There was also some discussion, during the hearing, about the debate surrounding possible contributing factor. These included the amount of contaminated wood the horse would have needed to eat — suggested to be around 100g, either in one go or over a number of days — and the possibility that arsenic levels within the timber itself may not be constant. There was also the question of whether the fact the sample was taken straight after the race, when the horse would have been dehydrated, may have had a bearing on the arsenic level in his samples.

Mr Moore told the hearing that Mr Fry had cooperated fully with the BHA, allowing “everything conceivable to be tested” and there was not a single suggestion that he could have done anything further in the way of clean sport.

“His is a state-of-the art training establishment and no stone is left unturned in preventing positive samples,” he said.

“Every known precaution is taken and whenever the BHA gives out advice for trainers to be aware of, that advice is taken on board by Mr Fry. There is, at the moment, no advice about treated timber as I and Mr Fry understand it.”

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The BHA had been looking to penalise the trainer until days before the hearing, but reconsidered after further discussions with Mr Fry’s legal team before Monday and accepted he was not at fault. The panel was of the same view, which meant he did not face any sanctions, other than disqualification from the race and the return of the £21,200 prize money.

“There is a warning here about the danger of treated wood, which will no doubt be recognised by others that may be in the same position,” said panel chairman, Brian Barker QC.

“This has been a difficult case for everybody, but it is a unique case and it will not be a precedent in future cases. Each case is taken on its own effects and own uniqueness.”

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An Irish trainer has been banned for six months after a horse in his care was “nobbled” with ACP before a race.

Trainer Charles Byrnes was fined €1,000 (£885) and had his licence suspended for six months after Viking Hoard was subject to “a dangerous degree of sedation” in a hurdle race at Tramore on 18 October 2018. The hearing was held by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) referrals committee via Zoom on 7 January.

Betting for Viking Hoard opened at 4/1 but his price drifted to a starting price of 8/1. The hearing notes state that the gelding ran “conspicuously badly”, became rapidly detached from the rest of the field and was pulled up before the seventh hurdle.

A urine sample taken after he was pulled up was found to contain hydroxyethylpromazinehydroxide (HEPS), a metabolite of ACP (acepromazine). The B sample confirmed the finding.

ACP is licensed for use in horses as a prescription-only medication and is not allowed on racedays. It is a rapidly acting sedative that takes effect within 15-30 minutes and can last up to six or seven hours.

Lynn Hillyer, IHRB head of anti-doping and chief veterinary officer, stated that the drug was causing Viking Hoard’s low post-race heart rate, and that the concentrations he had in his system affected his performance, the integrity of the race, and the health, safety and welfare of the animal, rider, stable staff and other riders and horses in the race.

“In this case, the evidence showed that Viking Hoard was subject to a dangerous degree of sedation during the race, which was masked until the rider was required to ask the gelding for an early effort in the race,” added the ruling.

“In her opinion, the betting patterns were not coincidental, and Dr Hillyer concluded that the evidence demonstrated that Viking Hoard had been ‘nobbled’ prior to the race. This conclusion was not challenged. The committee accepted that this inference is correct and fully justified by the evidence.”

Mr Byrnes was told of the result on an unannounced visit by IHRB veterinary officer Nicola O’Connor and deputy head of security Declan Buckley on 30 November that year. The medicines register did not record any administration of ACP to Viking Hoard and neither Mr Byrnes nor his son, Cathal, had any explanation for the positive test. They have both maintained that they did not give the horse sedative and Mr Byrnes said he has not used ACP in his yard for “many years”.

The IHRB received alerts from the British Horseracing Authority relating to betting patterns on the horse, relating to Tramore and previous races, which were based on information from commercial betting exchanges that allow for widespread laying (betting against horses winning).

The hearing found there was “no evidence” to connect Mr Byrnes with the betting patterns, but that they are “part of the full and relevant context to the events of 18 October 2018 at Tramore and informed the subsequent investigation into those events”. Mr Byrnes maintained he was not involved in the various betting activities and has “no knowledge of any of these matters”.

He said he arrived at the course with his son and the horse around two hours before the race and, to the best of his knowledge, they had not stopped en route to the course.

He conceded that the gelding had been left unattended in the stable yard twice before the race, for a total of around 20 to 25 minutes. The first was when Cathal went to look for a rug and the second time when the pair went to find something to eat.

“Although not alleged to be involved directly in the administration of ACP, his neglect in supervising the gelding facilitated what was clearly organised pre-race doping of his charge,” stated the ruling.

“The deliberate doping of Viking Hoard close to race time in this case could not conceivably have been a casual or opportunistic event.”

It added: “[Cliodhna Guy, IHRB head of legal, licensing and compliance, who presented the case] submitted that although it was not alleged that Mr Byrnes was directly involved in either the administration of ACP or the betting patterns, he had taken risks in discharging his responsibilities under the rules that resulted in an extremely serious outcome from the perspective of the IHRB.”

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The ruling concluded that Mr Byrnes was “seriously negligent” in the supervision of the horse on the day of the Tramore race and the “actual and potential consequences of the failure to supervise in this case are disturbing”.

“Significant actual damage flowed from the neglect of the trainer,” it concluded.

“The damage was financial in the case of affected punters, and reputational in the case of the racing industry. This case illustrates the specific and additional challenges and dangers to the integrity of racing posed by the widespread ability to back horses to lose races for significant returns.

“The desirability of this practice or how it might be better controlled within the available regulatory resources is worthy of further, constant review.”

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Dual champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been suspended for three months following a positive sample for metabolites of cocaine – but his explanation that he has never taken the drug has been accepted by officials.

Following a test at Chantilly racecourse on 19 July, the Irish jockey was told by France Galop on 19 August that his “A” sample had returned positive for the class A drug. On the same day Oisin arranged for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling, which came back negative for the drug, and denied ever taking the drug.

In a decision issued by the commissioners of France Galop on 27 November Oisin was told he had been found in breach of the rules and was suspended from riding for three months.

A spokesman for the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) said in the decision the commissioners accepted Oisin’s explanation that he did not take cocaine and that the positive sample arose as a result of unintentional, environmental contamination – but he must serve a three-month suspension as the rules relating to prohibited substances operate on a strict liability basis, and he failed to avoid putting himself into a situation where contamination could occur.

In a statement Oisin thanked France Galop and the commissioners for a “fair” hearing and for accepting the evidence he presented.

“This evidence included my hair sample results – the results of which I am making public today – and an expert witness statement from an eminent toxicology and anti-doping expert,” he said.

“Whilst I am obviously disappointed that I will still have to serve a three-month suspension, I am pleased the commissioners accepted the evidence presented and am hugely relieved to have been cleared of taking cocaine.”

Oisin added he “respects” the rules and decision of France Galop, and will not be appealing the suspension.

“Despite my relief, I regretfully put myself in a situation whereby cocaine has been able to filter into my system through environmental contamination and must live with the consequences. As a professional sportsman I cannot put myself in a similar situation again,” he said.

“Even though I have been exonerated from taking cocaine, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Sheikh Fahad al Thani, David Redvers and Andrew Balding and thank them for their support. I also want to thank my legal team, particularly Florence Gaudilliere, who represented me in France, Rory MacNeice, the PJA, Johnno Spence and others who have advised and supported me throughout.”

Oisin also apologised to the Qatar Racing team, his owners, trainers, supporters, weighing room colleagues, commercial partners and Racing to School.

“The next three months will give me much time to reflect on my actions but I will learn from this experience and come back better and even more determined than before,” he said.

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Trainer Andrew Balding said Oisin arrived at Kingsclere in 2012 and is “very much part of the Park House family”.

“I have been very proud to watch him thrive in the saddle but also as an ambassador for the sport,” he said. “Oisin is a kind, trustworthy and dedicated part of the team. I never doubted he was innocent but I know this will really hurt him and I will make sure we do everything to help him return as a stronger and better person.”

A spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority told H&H the organisation is a signatory to the international agreement between racing nations – and all signatories of this agreement must include within their rules a provision that suspensions incurred in recognised racing authorities must be reciprocated.

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The new rules, agreed at the 2020 FEI general assembly, aim to give more flexibility in the event of positive tests that are likely caused by contamination. H&H finds out more

A NUMBER of “important” anti-doping rule changes were among the decisions made during the 2020 FEI general assembly (13–23 November), which took place online owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing the assembly on 23 November, FEI president Ingmar de Vos said it had been a “difficult year for everyone” and despite still being in a global pandemic, now was the time to “rebuild”.

Ahead of the new World 
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code being introduced on 
1 January 2021, which includes international standards on education and result management, the FEI stated it was obliged to revise its anti-doping rules to align with it – 
with new rules being voted on affecting areas such as contamination, disqualification and sample analysis.

For 2021, national federations must update their rules to incorporate “key provisions” of
the FEI’s anti-doping rules, provide anti-doping education and report any potential violations to the FEI.

Changes to the rules mean after a sample has been reported as negative, it may be stored and subjected to further analysis later by the anti-doping organisation that called for the sample – or the FEI, in line with the WADA Code. While concerns were raised in August by British Equestrian that with time it may become “impossible” to identify the cause or provide evidence on contamination, the FEI said retrospective testing is an important tool and the introduction of a new atypical findings policy would help mitigate issues.

This policy aims to offer more flexibility in the event of positive samples, likely caused by contamination. This means substances will be treated initially as an “atypical finding” instead of an “adverse analytical finding” – allowing the FEI to carry out a review before the result is reported as positive and proceedings are officially commenced. Should the FEI choose to pursue an atypical finding as an adverse analytical finding, this is final and not subject to an appeal.

Other changes agreed include an amendment to the disqualification rule following “a lot of confusion and debate”.

Where a positive test occurs at the Olympics or Paralympics, this will lead to disqualification of all the rider’s results obtained at that event, with all horses.

Mr de Vos closed the assembly stating “important decisions had been made”.

“We have a lot to look forward to and we also have a great legacy to preserve,” he said. “We need to show how unique we are in the sporting landscape, from the incredible horsemanship in the arena, to the inspired teamwork behind the scenes making it all happen. There is no sport that compares to equestrianism and it is our responsibility and due to ensure we present the very best of who we are.”

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An endurance rider who competed a horse with a “cocktail” of drugs in his system, blamed the positive test results on an operation he claimed he was unaware the horse had undergone days earlier.

Moro Tianko, trained and ridden by Saudi Arabian Mohammed Alalewi, tested positive for prohibited substances following the CEI2* 120km Al Ula on 2 February 2019. The gelding’s blood sample tested positive for banned substance tolfenamic acid (an anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic effects) and controlled substances lidocaine (a local anaesthetic used in the treatment of some skin diseases), flunixin, diclofenac, phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone (anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effects).

The FEI notified Mr Alalewi on 4 March 2019 of the findings and he was provisionally suspended until further notice pending a preliminary hearing at the FEI Tribunal. Moro Tianko was also provisionally suspended for two months. The rider was informed of his right to request an analysis of a B sample, which he did not do – and he did not challenge the results of the A sample.

On 6 March Mr Alawlewi submitted a “short” statement to the FEI alleging “he did not know the horse had an operation days a few days before the race”, and that the horse “took some treatments and medications that appear in the analysis”. He apologised and said he had regret for the “unintentional mistakes” and said these would not be repeated.

Under FEI rules, if there has been a violation involving both a banned substance and a controlled medication in a sample from the same horse at the same event, the person responsible shall be considered to have committed one doping rule violation and the sanction will be imposed based on the banned substance. Therefore the FEI charged Mr Alaweli based on the presence of the tolfenamic acid.

In a submission to the Tribunal the FEI stated Mr Alalewi did not corroborate his statement with any reliable evidence such as the horse’s medical records, log book indicating the date of operation or information on where the operation took place, or the exact names of the medications administered to the gelding and their purpose.

The FEI stated that to accept a “simple statement” as proof would undermine the whole anti-doping system and efforts to eradicate doping in the sport, adding that banned substances are never found in competition horses because they are substances with no legitimate use and have a “high potential for abuse”.

The FEI submitted Mr Alalewi had failed to establish on a balance of probability the “threshold requirement” of how the prohibited substances entered the horse’s body.

It was also stated by the FEI that as Mr Alalewi was the trainer and the rider of the horse, it was difficult to believe he would not have been aware of an alleged operation as any operation would have a “crucial impact” on the horse’s training and competition schedule. The FEI added, assuming this “highly improbable scenario” took place, Mr Alalewi’s lack of knowledge of a “supposed operation” amounted to a “flagrant breach” of his duty of care as a trainer.

Under FEI anti-doping rules, cases that present aggravating circumstances can carry an increased period of ineligibility of up to a maximum of four years – unless the person responsible can prove to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that they did not knowingly commit a violation.

The FEI submitted that a number of aggravating circumstances were present in this case, namely the analysis of the blood sample finding five different prohibited substances and Mr Alalewi not establishing the source.

Other aggravating circumstances submitted by the FEI were that the horse tested positive for several anti-inflammatory drugs which in combination “could be damaging to the horse’s organs such as the liver or kidneys”, and if there was an operation, sedation would normally be used (which carry around 48 to 72 hours detection time) – and no sedatives were found in the sample.

It was submitted by the FEI that without any “specific evidence to the contrary” for the presence of the prohibited substances, this suggested “intentional administration”. It was explained by the FEI that in endurance, trainers are key decision-makers for the horse and it was therefore “impossible to claim that a cocktail” of prohibited substances would have been administered without the trainer’s knowledge.

Article continued below…

FEI contamination warning: another horse’s positive dope test caused by groom’s urination

The groom confirmed on the day of the event he had urinated “close to the horse” and inside the trailer

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The FEI recommended that owing to these factors, an increased ban of three years be imposed – adding that Mr Alalewi’s provision suspension period already served to be credited against this. A fine of 10,000 CHF (£8,426) and 2,000 CHF (£1,692) costs was also recommended.

On 4 November the Tribunal found Mr Alalewi’s theory that the prohibited substances were the result of an operation is “mere speculation”, adding that his lack of knowledge of the operation is “suspect”. As a result, the Tribunal decided the trainer had not established on a balance of probability how the tolfenamic acid entered the horse’s system.

The Tribunal considered the aggravating circumstances and given the “totality” of these, the Tribunal agreed with the FEI’s recommendation of a three-year ineligibility period and the recommended fine and payment of costs. The parties may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport within 21 days.

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Riders and grooms should be aware of the risk of contamination from human urine the FEI has warned yet again, after another horse tested positive for a prohibited substance proven to be caused by a groom urinating in a horsebox.

Chilean Paula Llorens Clark’s ride S H Sciro tested positive for o-desmethyltramadol (a metabolite of tramadol) following the CEIYJ2* 120 event in Llay Llay, Chile, on 30 March 2019.

On 15 May 2019 the FEI notified 22-year-old Paula of the result and she was provisionally suspended for two years, with a provisional suspension of two months also given to the gelding.

The rider identified the source of the prohibited substance, by human to horse contamination by urination, from her groom who had been prescribed tramadol by his doctor, three times daily for seven days.

In a declaration to the FEI the groom confirmed on the day of the event he had urinated “close to the horse” and inside the trailer on several occasions where grass was stored. This was given to the horse on the day of the event. The groom said the gelding also had access to areas that were not disinfected and were contaminated with his urine, so the horse had “most likely” ingested contaminated grass.

The FEI consulted with its external expert, who confirmed the plausibility of the source, and in a preliminary decision on 12 August the FEI Tribunal lifted the rider’s suspension. On 9 September the FEI submitted a settlement agreement, signed by the FEI and Paula, to the Tribunal.

In a witness statement provided by Paula to the Tribunal she provided background of her riding experience and commitment to horse welfare and said she was “shocked” her horse has returned an positive test as she is aware of the risks of contamination. She added that to avoid these risks, she has procedures to avoid contamination at her stables. She explained to her support team the importance of following the procedures at the stables and when travelling to events.

The FEI said all riders and grooms should be aware of the risk of contamination from urination in horses’ stables, especially when the rider or support personnel is taking prohibited substances prescribed by a doctor.

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“Such behaviour should always be avoided and can be prevented through the responsible person’s management of procedures to avoid a positive test. The FEI has warned about the risk of contamination via the FEI clean sports notice on reducing risks of contamination, through urination and any person responsible, groom or other support personnel should inform themselves about such risks,” said an FEI spokesman.

In the agreement Paula admitted the violation of the equine anti-doping rules and waived her right to a final hearing. The FEI was satisfied she had established on a balance of probabilities how the substance entered the horse’s system and that she bore no fault or negligence for the rule violation. Paula will not serve any period of ineligibility, but her results from the event are disqualified.

In a final decision issued on 19 October 2020 the Tribunal ruled that the agreement between the FEI and Paula was approved. This decision is subject to an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days.

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British Equestrian has announced an immediate 14-day relaxation of the anti-doping rules for competing horses who may be affected by the zilpaterol feed contamination.

Following the news yesterday (23 October) that feed companies Allen & Page, Baileys Horse Feeds, Hilight Horse Feeds, Honeychop Horse Feeds, Saracen Horse Feeds, and Spillers, Winergy and Pegasus, had confirmed that some of their products had been affected by contamination with the banned substance, British Equestrian (BEF) today (23 October) stated it had worked on a “proactive solution”, which should help all parties caught up in this “unfortunate situation”.

“With immediate effect the BEF board has introduced a 14-day moratorium, during which time any horse that returns a positive result for zilpaterol through testing at an event will not be subject to any regulatory action under the BEF’s anti-doping rules (known as BEFAR), provided the positive sample is consistent with the feed being contaminated with zilpaterol,” it read.

“This moratorium period will be kept under constant review and may be extended depending upon updated information relating to the contamination.”

The statement added that the moratorium covers horses competing under national rules of any BEF member bodies, who are signed up to BEFAR. Horses who are competing in international shows are still subject to the rules and testing requirements of the FEI, and will not be covered under the moratorium for any such shows.

Article continued below…

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BEF interim chief executive Iain Graham said this is a situation where “reason and logic” are required.

“We’re grateful to the BEF board and BEFAR technical committee for facilitating this moratorium. The British Equestrian Trade Association and some UK feed brands have worked extensively to provide the facts which were a vital part in the process,” he said.

“We hope this will put riders’ minds at rest and give time for the feed companies to work with their clients towards eliminating any contaminated feed from the supply chain. My thanks to all concerned.”

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Major feed companies that distribute in the UK have confirmed a number of their products have been affected by contamination with the banned substance zilpaterol.

Yesterday (21 October) British Equestrian (BEF) said it had been made aware that “several” feed companies may have products contaminated with banned substance zilpaterol, which was in a shipment of molasses used in the manufacturing process.

The news comes after Gain horse feeds’ announcement at the beginning of the month on suspected zilpaterol contamination of some of its products. Zilpaterol is used as a feed additive in the USA and other countries to promote weight gain, mainly in cattle. It is not approved for use in Europe.

Today (22 October) the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) said it wanted to clarify the situation on behalf of its horse feed manufacturing members.

BETA said the companies affected by the contamination that have been confirmed to date are Allen & Page, Baileys Horse Feeds, Hilight Horse Feeds, Honeychop Horse Feeds, Saracen Horse Feeds, and Spillers, Winergy and Pegasus.

A spokesman for BETA said unless horses are participating in affiliated competitions and could be subject to dope tests, these feeds are safe to use.

“It has very recently been confirmed that the cane molasses containing zilpaterol hydrochloride supplied by ED&F Man Ltd into Ireland did then enter the UK some months ago and was supplied to a few equine feed companies. In that period there have only been positives detected under the rules of racing in France from feed originating from one Irish company,” read the BETA statement.

“In the absence of any confirmatory analysis from ED&F Man Ltd as to whether and/or what levels of zilpaterol were in any molasses supplied into companies, once aware that the contamination may have affected the UK supply, all companies took precautionary measures and stopped using the shipment of molasses in question and replaced it with an alternative source or another raw material.”

The spokesman said BETA has been working with its members in their efforts to identify the nature and scale of the contamination, that has been “beyond their control”.

“All have tried to act in the best interests of their customers to deal with an impossible situation. A number of these companies are in direct contact with their known clients to advise on the situation and provide any advice and instructions they can,” he said. 

“ED&F contacted companies to confirm the material was contaminated but at lower levels than was the case in Ireland.”

 The spokesman added that BETA had received confirmation from the UK’s Food Standards Agency that it was taking no further action due to the very low concentrations in the feed, which are not considered significant in terms of feed safety and are not a risk to equine health.

“The level of zilpaterol which has been found in feed was less than one part per billion, well below the level which would trigger food or feed safety considerations,” he said.”

The statement said the racing and sporting regulatory bodies have “different priorities” from BETA’s feed regulators and so while posing no health risks to horses, it is prohibited for horses competing under rules.

“The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has offered a seven-day moratorium in racing during which any horse that returns a positive result for zilpaterol through raceday, out-of-racing or elective testing will not be subject to BHA regulatory action, provided the positive sample is consistent with the feed contamination.

“Elective testing undertaken through the BHA has indicated that zilpaterol is not present in horses that had contaminated feed withdrawn for four clear days. Investigations are ongoing, so this is not yet considered a confirmed withdrawal period for the substance.”

In a statement on 11 October Gain Equine Nutrition said that ED&F had issued an “urgent action and recall notice” recalling products suspected of containing “minute traces” of zilpaterol. The notice added that although initial levels detected are extremely low, the substance in question is banned in the EU.

The BEF said as a banned substance, zilpaterol may be detected in samples taken from horses competing under FEI discipline member body rules, where the FEI and/or BEF anti-doping rules will apply, and subsequent penalties could be imposed in the case of any positive samples.

“Riders of horses who are liable to be tested, and have not been contacted by their feed manufacturer already, should contact them immediately for any update the manufacturer may be able to offer on the status of their products,” said the BEF spokesman.

The spokesman added BEF is in “constant contact” with the FEI for further guidance.

In a statement today, the FEI said it understands the companies in question are contacting customers directly to advise on batches that may have been affected and to replace the contaminated feed.

“Anyone contacted by their supplier should follow their advice and, if required, stop feeding any potentially affected product immediately. They should also ensure that all feed equipment (bowls, scoops, bins etc.) that may have contained any contaminated product is cleaned thoroughly with detergent and plenty of water.”

Article continued below…

Suspected feed contamination: ‘significant progress’ made in investigation by supplier

Gain Equine Nutrition has today (9 October) issued a statement on its investigation

Horse sport in shock after major feed supplier announces suspected contamination *H&H Plus*

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The spokesman added that in line with the FEI’s previous advice, it is strongly advised horses that may have inadvertently ingested zilpaterol are withdrawn from competition.

H&H has contacted ED&F for comment.

The products affected are:

Allen & Page products made up to 10 October:

• Stud & young stock mix
• Quiet mix
• Herbal quiet mix
• Old Faithfuls special
• Quiet cubes & Sustain

The Allen & Page manufacturing date can be found on the white sewn in label and is shown after batch number in the bottom right-hand corner.

Baileys Horse Feeds range of cubes, primarily:

• No.2 Working Cubes
• No.4 Top Line Conditioning Cubes
• No.11 Racehorse Cubes
• No.23 Racing Light Cubes
• No.24 Ease & Excel Cubes

Of these, only those with batches dated prior to 8 October 2020, which will appear as 08102020 printed on the bottom of the bag, are affected.

Hilight Horse Feeds:

Range of cubes with batches manufactured prior to 8 October 2020

Honeychop Horse Feeds:

A limited number of their fibre range up to manufacturing week (41) which can be found on the label on the front of bags.

Saracen Horse Feeds

Range of mixes (not the cube range)

Mixes with a best-before date prior to 8 April 2021 may be affected.

The dedicated Saracen line 01622 713 887 should be contacted with any questions.

Spillers, Winergy and Pegasus:

Mixes and fibres manufactured before 10 October 2020. All cubes and balancers are unaffected.

Mixes with best before date 9 February 2021 or before

Spillers Happy Hoof with best before date 9 April 2021 or before

All other chopped fibres with best before date 9 February or before

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Discussions to bring showing’s dope testing rules in line with other equestrian disciplines in Britain are on going. H&H finds out more...

PLANS for a “unified” approach to dope testing in showing are being discussed with the hope of bringing the sport in line with other equestrian disciplines.

Preliminary talks have taken place between the Showing Council and British Equestrian (BEF) around some showing organisations using BEF’s equine anti-doping and controlled medication rules (BEFAR).

Under these rules, if a horse or person receives a period of ineligibility for a failed dope test in one discipline, they are not allowed to participate in any event or competition organised by another BEF member body.

If it is agreed by BEF and the Showing Council that showing organisations adopt BEFAR, this would mean a sanction imposed in another discipline would apply to those competing in showing and vice versa.

Sacha Shaw, National Pony Society (NPS) office manager and chair of the Showing Council’s working group, told H&H dope testing had been discussed by the council for a number of years and it was decided to approach BEF about adopting BEFAR.

“Three years ago we had a difficult time with failed dope tests at the NPS championship show and it became clear any action we took as a society couldn’t be reciprocated by other showing bodies, which meant any penalties imposed were pretty meaningless because there are so many societies a person could go to to carry on competing,” she said.

“It is so important sanctions apply equestrian-wide – it’s crucial for our industry. We’ve had two positive meetings with BEF and the next stage is the Showing Council members will have discussions with their boards.”

Showing Council chairman David Ingle told H&H the discussions had been a “positive step”, adding it is up to individual organisations whether they choose to adopt new policies. The British Show Horse Association launched its own anti-doping policy this month (news, 1 October).

“We are not a governing body – we’re an overarching umbrella body to help unify things wherever possible so the members opt in if they want this,” he said.

“Should this be successful, I am very keen on education alongside it – organisations must make people aware of what the changes are and provide education on clean sport.”

Sandra Lawrence, company secretary of the British Skewbald and Piebald Association, told H&H she believes adopting BEFAR rules would be “excellent” for showing.

“It would bring a consistent approach across a large sector of the equine community. We’re trying to be robust, fair and open about trying to achieve clean sport and I don’t think anyone will be unhappy about that because it’s in the interest of competitors and horse owners,” she said.

BEF interim CEO Iain Graham told H&H the organisation had been having “positive discussions” with the Showing Council about how to provide an equine dope testing programme going forwards.

H&H 22 October 2020

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“Significant progress” has been made in an investigation into a suspected contamination involving a major feed supplier.

On 2 October, France Galop announced it had launched an investigation after five horses tested positive to prohibited substance zilpaterol. The investigation pointed to a “common denominator in all five positive cases” of racehorse cubes, racehorse mix or opti-care balancer, marketed under the brand name Gain Equine Nutrition.

At the time the company released a statement saying it could not confirm the feed had been the positive source.

In a statement on 9 October Gain Equine Nutrition said the company wanted to give an update on the investigation into the “presence of an unapproved feed supplement” identified in its equine feed range.

“We have made significant progress in our investigation and are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), which is the regulatory body responsible for the feed sector in Ireland,” read the statement.

“Following consultation with DAFM, we have re-commenced equine feed production and will be in contact with our customers regarding resumption of feed supply.”

The statement added that the company continues to ask its equine customers to “refrain from feeding their current stock” of Gain Equine products.

“We again apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed,” it read.

On 11 October Gain said international molasses supplier ED&F had issued an “urgent action and recall notice” at 9pm on 10 October. The notice stated that some products were suspected of containing “minute traces” of zilpaterol, and although the initial levels detected were “extremely low”, the substance is banned in the EU.

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In advice issued by British Equestrian (BEF), the organisation advises that people follow the advice from Gain and refrain from feeding any of their equine products until further notice from the company. Any horses which may have inadvertently ingested Zilpaterol should be withdrawn from competition.

The BEF also advises those feeding Gain should keep complete records of batch numbers and samples of Gain feedstuffs from their yard over the last six weeks at least. Opened bags of feed should be sealed and stored away from any other feed, and a log of when the feed was purchased and from which supplier should be kept. The organisation also recommends owners and riders speak to their vet and nutritional adviser if they feed Gain products.

“There is a risk that if you compete and your horse is being fed or has recently been fed a contaminated product you may test positive under FEI and our national equine anti-doping and controlled medication rules [BEFAR],” said a BEF spokesman.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Top yards have been forced to withdraw their horses from competition after positive dope tests were linked to suspected feed contamination of products produced by Gain Horse Feeds. Here is what we know about the case so far...

RIPPLES are being felt across the equestrian world following suspected contamination involving a major horse feed supplier.

France Galop announced on 2 October that it had launched an immediate investigation after five horses tested positive to prohibited substance zilpaterol, with the most recent positive result on 1 October.

The investigation pointed to a “common denominator in all five positive cases” of racehorse cubes, racehorse mix or opti-care balancer, marketed under the brand name Gain Equine Nutrition.

“However, at this stage, it cannot be confirmed that this feed is the source of the positive test,” said the statement. “Additional testing is currently being carried out.”

Gain advised its customers to “refrain from feeding our equine products to their animals” until further investigations are completed.

Zilpaterol is a synthetic beta-agonist, approved for use as a performance enhancer in some beef production systems outside the EU, but the company stressed that it has “never formed part of any formulation in any of our animal nutrition ranges”.

Martin Ryan, head of Gain Equine, apologised to all customers and added: “A thorough investigation and trace back of all feed ingredient sources is under way as a matter of urgency to determine how this external contaminant could have found its way into some batches of our equine product.”

The situation resulted in trainer Aidan O’Brien pulling all four of his runners from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (4 October), including Derby winner Serpentine who was a late entry at a cost of €72,000 (£65,410), and other races on Sunday.

A statement from Ballydoyle on the eve of the Arc said results of the urine samples taken from the horses came back positive from the French laboratory.

“There is a possibility that the contaminant may have left their system by the time of racing, however we have no guarantee of this and in order to protect the integrity of racing, we have decided to withdraw all our horses from racing tomorrow [Sunday, 4 October],” it added.

Other trainers who also feed Gain, including Aidan’s sons Donnacha and Joseph, withdrew horses who were set to run in other races at the meeting and further afield.

In Britain, trainer Roger Varian announced he had changed his feed with “immediate effect” and withdrew all his weekend runners “in order to take maximum precaution”.

Leading British event rider Gemma Tattersall said she had “no choice but to withdraw” Santiago Bay and Chilli Knight from Little Downham CCI4*-S (5–6 October) owing to contamination concerns.

“The horses have been prepared carefully, are fit and healthy and ready to be competitive, but I was left with absolutely no choice but to withdraw as I just simply cannot risk competing knowing some of my horses’ feed might have been contaminated,” she said, adding that she is so sorry for her team and owners.

“I’ve always absolutely loved Gain horse feeds and my horses always look and feel amazing. I have never had even the slightest concern about feeding it to all of my horses and even went to the Olympics feeding Gain. I so hope they can get this very difficult situation straightened out so we can go back to feeding our favourite.”

A further update from Gain, issued on Sunday (4 October), said the team is “hugely disappointed” some of their customers have withdrawn from important equine events.

“Intensive testing of our equine feed ranges, batches and individual ingredients has been under way around the clock since this issue first emerged in France,” said the statement.

“We are continuing to work closely with all appropriate agencies, including the Irish department of agriculture, to fully investigate the source, nature and extent of this contamination. We are also in close contact with horse racing regulatory bodies. We will provide a more detailed update once further information is available.”

What next?

THE news raised questions about how the substance got there, and what riders, trainers and owners with racing, competition and sales entries in the near future can do next to ensure their horses are clean.

The FEI has an “elective testing” option, where urine samples of registered international competition horses can be tested on request for up to four substances on the elective testing list. But a British Equestrian spokesman told H&H that zilpaterol is not on that list, so this is not an option.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) lists Gain as a sponsor of Team Ireland’s underage showjumping and eventing teams – providing a travel bursary for those competing on European Championship teams as well as regular equine nutrition advice – and official feed consultants to HSI’s team.

HSI declined to comment when asked by H&H what options there are for Irish riders with entries in the near future who want to avoid a positive test, given the FEI elective testing route is not applicable.

Aidan and Joseph O’Brien are working with Racing Victoria in Australia on out-of-competition testing on the 10 horses that arrived in Melbourne on 2 October ahead of the Spring Racing Carnival this month, with results expected to take up to a week.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is working with its contracted laboratory, European colleagues and the manufacturer as tests continue.

The BHA urged trainers to cease using all Gain products immediately until further investigations to find the source are completed, in advice sent on 2 October.

It added all entry and entry handling fees for runners withdrawn over contamination concerns at the weekend would be reimbursed.

The BHA also encouraged trainers to record the batch number, product used, date and location of purchase and retain a small sample for future reference.

Further guidance was expected as H&H went to press on Monday (5 October).

Latest advice from the BHA, issued on Tuesday lunchtime (6 October), advised trainers that elective testing will be available from today for those who feed Gain products and who have entries this week.

The BHA has also confirmed positive tests for zilpaterol from elective testing will not result in sanctions under racing’s anti-doping rules.

“The elective testing will be undertaken by the BHA’s analytical laboratory, LGC, and samples will be processed and prioritised in order of race entry,” stated the update, adding elective testing is done at the trainer’s expense and costs £133.61+VAT for each sample.

“We anticipate that the sample analysis may take up to three working days to complete, though every effort will be made, within reason and depending on the volume of tests, to return results in time for any races in which horses are entered.”

The statement added: “We are continuing to gather information on the excretion of Zilpaterol from horses which have been fed contaminated feed, in an effort to provide advice on a suitable withdrawal period. We will update the industry at the earliest opportunity.”

Refunds will be given for horses due to run today (6 October) or tomorrow (Wednesday, 7 October) who are withdrawn on Gain contamination concerns. Further updates are expected from the BHA regarding entries from Thursday onwards.

The veterinary view

David Rendle, chairman of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s health and medicines committee told H&H zilpaterol is not a drug that is used in horses but is a member of the same family of drugs as clenbuterol, which is used “widely and safely for the treatment of airway disease in horses”.

“Like clenbuterol, zilpaterol acts on beta adrenergic receptors and can have a number of different effects within the body,” he explained.

“Zilpaterol is produced for use as a feed supplement in beef production outside the EU. In cattle, the drug promotes muscle development and reduces fat deposition. Because it has the potential to enhance performance, it is banned in race and competition horses. When administered at the same doses as fed to cattle, zilpaterol will cause side effects in horses such as sweating, a high heart-rate and muscle tremors.”

Mr Rendle added that the information provided so far shows the recent positive tests were the result of “extemely low levels of contamination in horse feed”.

“Modern toxicology laboratories are able to detect minuscule quantities of veterinary pharmaceuticals and there is no need to be concerned that horses fed the contaminated feed are at any risk of ill health,” he said.

“There is no data in the public domain on how quickly the drug is cleared from the horse’s body, but from reports in other species, comparison with clenbuterol and looking at the events over the past week it seems that it is cleared relatively quickly over a number of days and potentially up to a week.

“In the absence of pharmacokinetic data, knowledge of the thresholds that are used in toxicology laboratories or published withdrawal times, one cannot give reliable advice on how many days after feeding a horse might test positive at competition.

“Unfortunately there is no mechanism currently in place for horse owners to be able to test their horses ahead of competition. Regular veterinary laboratories that do equine work will not have the ability to test for the drug.”

H&H 8 October 2020

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Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has strongly denied ever taking cocaine after he tested positive for metabolites of the Class A drug — but an independent lab test was negative.

The Irishman, who was crowned British champion Flat jockey in October 2019 after riding 164 winners and heads the current championship, was selected for urine testing at Chantilly racecourse on 19 July.

The 25-year-old was told by France Galop on 19 August that his “A” sample had returned positive for metabolites of cocaine, which he denies ever taking.

“I have never taken cocaine in my life and I will do everything that I can to prove that I have not taken cocaine,” said Oisin.

“I want to thank those who are supporting me and in the meantime I want to keep riding winners and focus on my career. I will have no further comment to make and wish to respect the processes of France Galop.”

On the same day he received the news of his positive sample, Oisin arranged for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling in a bid to prove his innocence.

A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association said this was taken on 22 August and the collection process was filmed by the laboratory for authenticity.

“The laboratory analysed multiple 0.3cm segments of Oisin’s hair and on 26 August the results of the hair test returned completely negative for metabolites of cocaine, which was entirely expected as Oisin has never taken cocaine,” added the statement

“These results have been shared with France Galop and he awaits the results of France Galop’s analysis of his ‘B’ sample.”

Oisin was the youngest jockey for 13 years to take the British championship title last October, and leads this year’s campaign with 111 winners from 635 rides.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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The new policy sets out clear individual responsibility for positive tests, as well as a defined threshold for bromide. H&H speaks to those involved in setting up the new rules...

THE British Show Horse Association (BSHA) is “determined to clean up showing” with its new anti-doping policy, which launches tomorrow (1 October), in response to members’ requests.

H&H reported last year that the BSHA was disappointed with the low penalty imposed by an independent tribunal when a horse tested positive for bromide.

Association general manager Lucy Savill told H&H members raised the issue at the AGM.

“They were unhappy with the outcome of the disciplinary,” she said. “The [three-month] ban was served out of season, and many felt there was no deterrent.

“They asked us to spend some money and come up with a policy, so those who fall foul of our rules are suitably punished.”

A BSHA spokesman said a number of members had raised concerns over the anti-doping rules, feeling they were out of date. The code has four principles: to protect the integrity of classes, horse welfare, safety of competitors and safety of judges.

The BSHA worked with Rory Mac Neice, a former jockey who is now head of commercial litigation at Ashfords law firm, on the policy.

He told H&H he believes the policy achieves the four aims.

“The biggest change is in responsibility; there is now strict liability when a horse tests positive for a banned substance,” he said. “The code places responsibility on each individual member, which brings it in line with other disciplines, and differs in some respects to some other approaches taken in showing.”

Mr Mac Neice said the former rules were “opaque” and members had wanted clear responsibility. This will be on the member who has care of the horse, so the producer or rider.

“The BSHA hopes members will benefit from confidence that they’re competing on a level playing field,” he said.

The association will adopt the FEI’s prohibited substances list but has, on members’ request, set its own bromide threshold, having sought professional advice.

The code “reflects fairness” if a member can prove he or she is not at fault for a positive test, and “firmness where a member cannot do so”. In almost all cases, sanctions will involve suspension, two-thirds of which must be during the active season.

BSHA chairman Nigel Hollings told H&H the work was started by former chair Ian Darcy.

“I’m delighted this is now complete and ready for the 2021 season,” he said. “Our members asked us to work on it, and it’s taken a lot of hard work, but we’re determined to clean up showing and look forward to having our policy for the benefit of all.”

Both Mr Hollings and Ms Savill said other societies were welcome to get in touch to find out more about the policy.

H&H 1 October 2020

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A dressage horse’s failed dope test was found to have been caused by a groom’s repeated urination in the stable.

The FEI Tribunal said it is concerned about the number of such cases, where a human who has been taking a certain substance urinates in a stable, causing a positive dope test.

The Tribunal ruled that Italian dressage rider Pierluigi Sangiorgi, the person responsible (PR), bore no fault or negligence for Gelo Delle Schiave’s positive sample, taken at a CDI-W show in Slovenia in May 2019.

A sample taken from the 13-year-old gelding was found to contain aripiprazole, an antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in humans.

The rider told the Tribunal panel that on investigation, he found his groom had been prescribed a medication called abilify to treat his “severe depression disorder”, which was confirmed by the groom’s doctor. The groom also admitted that he had “repeatedly fulfilled his physiological needs (urine) inside the box of the horse from the moment he arrived at the event”.

The Tribunal report reads: “In referring to the expert report, the PR argued that the result of the commissioned study by his expert ascertained with reasonable sufficiency beyond any possible doubt, that the active substance could have entered the horse’s system through the ingestion of straw from the litter contaminated with the groom’s urine.

“Urinating on the straw bedding of the horse for several days, several times a day, had led, without any doubt, to an involuntary contamination of the horse. This was also compatible with the very low level of substance found in the sample.”

The FEI was satisfied the rider had established, “on a balance of probabilities”, how the substance had entered the horse’s system.

The FEI told the panel it has had “a few previous anti-doping rule violations resulting from the horse’s bedding being contaminated with human medications via human urination, which ultimately resulted in the finding that the PR bore no fault or negligence for the rule violation”.

“In the FEI’s view, although the PR’s support personnel should have been aware of the risk of human to horse cross-contamination through urination on the horse’s bedding, the PR in the present case could not reasonably have known that the groom was on medication that could lead to the presence of the prohibited substance in the horse’s system,” the Tribunal report states.

The Tribunal agreed, finding the rider had no fault for the test.

Continues below…

Wee warning: horse fails dope test after stable lad caught short

Authorities have warned of the dangers of urinating in stables after the positive test

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But the report adds: “The Tribunal is however concerned regarding the number of reoccurring cases where urinating in horses’ boxes led to cross-contamination of those horses.

“In the view of the Tribunal, those are clearly cases which could easily be avoided if all stakeholders in equestrian sport were properly educated about the risks of this kind of contamination. The Tribunal therefore strongly encourages the FEI, as well as those expected to educate others, for example riders who are supposed to educate their support personnel, to re-enforce their information and education duties.”

The horse was disqualified from the show, but no ban or fine was imposed on the rider.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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A showjumper who admitted taking cocaine and amphetamine to celebrate his birthday, the night before a competition, has been banned for two years.

German rider Jan-Philipp Weichert tested positive for prohibited substances benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, and amphetamine, in a urine sample taken on 10 June 2018 at the German national championships.

Mr Weichert was provisionally suspended on 2 July 2018 by the German anti-doping organisation, but owing to a lack of jurisdiction this was lifted in October 2018. In November 2018, the FEI informed the rider that as the show had been an FEI event, he was bound by the organisation’s rules and regulations including the anti-doping rules for human athletes (ADRHAs) and he was provisionally suspended.

In May 2019 the rider asked the FEI Tribunal for a preliminary hearing, which took place on 1 July 2019, at which the Tribunal maintained his provisional suspension.

On 20 December 2019, Mr Weichert provided the Tribunal with a statement in which he admitted he deliberately took cocaine and amphetamine at his 28th birthday party on 9 June 2019.

“Because of my birthday and the good jumping results I wanted to celebrate with friends. Since most of my friends are riders and were present in Balve it was a good opportunity to have the party. My party was not official or public. It took place for invited guests only,” said the statement.

“Only because of the good and euphoric atmosphere I let myself be seduced to this irresponsible act and took the drugs. Sadly it was not the first time this happened during a party. I admit that sometimes I tend to take drugs during parties to reach a more euphoric and good mood.”

The rider said he does not take drugs frequently or regularly; it happens occasionally, and only at parties, adding: “There was never a risk for me to get addicted and I had no cravings for drugs. It was just a party thing.”

He said that he had no intention to enhance or influence his sporting performance. As he had taken the drugs before 1am, he believed the effects would be gone before the competition the next day.

“I can only underscore how foolish my actions were and that I will regret this decision and lack of responsibility for the rest of my life and sports career,” he said.

“This mistake destroyed my business and therefore the employment of my staff. My failures are really clear to me. My economic existence as well as my riding career are destroyed and I’m not sure if I will ever be able to re-establish my business or my life. Despite my mistakes I’d really like to participate in this sport again in the near future. Without riding there is no job or employment for me.”

Article continued below…

Driver urinating in horsebox caused positive dope test: showjumper’s suspension lifted

The European team bronze medal-winning showjumper’s horse had tested positive for a metabolite of tramadol, at a CSI3* event in

Rider’s positive dope test caused by weight loss supplement

The rider said she bought the supplement online believing it contained 100% natural ingredients

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On 30 June 2020 Mr Weichert and the FEI entered into an agreement. As the rider had admitted the violation and established how the substances entered his system, and because they had not been taken in relation to the sport, it was agreed the violation had not been intentional. The standard four-year ineligibility period was reduced to two years, from 2 July 2018. The rider was fined 1,500 Swiss francs (£1,265), must pay his own legal costs and must undertake an anti-doping education course.

The Tribunal stated that the prohibited substances were used during the event period in question, but outside the schedule. Under ADHRA rules, as the substances are prohibited in competition only, the athlete had to establish that they were used in a context unrelated to sport performance, in order to prove the violation was not intentional.

“The use of cocaine and amphetamine undoubtedly goes against the spirit of sport as well as constituting an evident potential health risk for athletes. For this reason, the athlete should also seek professional help for his abuse of recreational drugs, to avoid a similar situation in the future,” said a Tribunal spokesman.

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A showjumper whose positive dope test was caused by a contaminated weight loss supplement has been given a 12-month ban.

Czech rider Emma Augier De Moussac tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, in a urine sample taken at the CSI3* Olympic qualifier for group C in Budapest on 28 June 2019.

At the time of the sample, the rider noted on the disclosed doping control form that she was on a treatment for her skin, as well a weight loss product, the last dose of which she had taken that morning.

Ms Augier De Moussac was notified of the positive sample in September 2019 and she told the FEI the prohibited substance had entered her system via the weight loss supplement. She accepted a voluntary provisional suspension on 23 December.

On 4 February the rider and her legal counsel met the FEI to discuss her case. She explained she had been trying to lose weight for some time and was looking for a weight loss product for “beauty-oriented objectives” only. The FEI heard she had talked about the issue with her family and had even considered surgery.

Ms Augier De Moussac told the FEI her brother-in-law had recommended a weight loss product to her that gave good results without side effects, and was sold over the counter in Brazil. In an affidavit from her brother-in-law, he explained he had learned about the product on Instagram and contacted the seller, who guaranteed it contained 100% natural ingredients. The product’s package leaflet did not include hydrochlorothiazide, or any other prohibited substance, and also claimed it was produced in accordance with Brazilian law, which the rider said gave a false impression it was approved by the authorities.

She told the FEI she does not take any medications or supplements, except for sometimes aspirin and vitamin C. She explained she is very careful when it comes to the use of drugs as she had a close family member who had drug problems.

After Ms Augier De Moussac was notified of the positive sample, she contacted the seller of the product to ask if it contained the banned substance and was informed it could contain traces, but this was not stated in the leaflet. She had the product analysed at a specialised laboratory and it was found it did include hydrochlorothiazide – as well as other substances on the prohibited list; furosemide, a drug used to reduce extra fluid in the body, and appetite suppressant sibutramine. It was also found to contain antacid ranitidine, antidepressants fluoxetine and bupropion, and muscle relaxant diazepam. Ms Augier De Moussac told the FEI she felt it was a very “unfair” situation as she had used the product in good faith, and she had no intention to cheat.

On 29 May and 10 June the FEI Tribunal was told that an agreement had been reached between the FEI and Ms Augier De Moussac, after she admitted to the presence of hydrochlorothiazide and had established how it had entered her system.

Article continued below…

Driver urinating in horsebox caused positive dope test: showjumper’s suspension lifted

The European team bronze medal-winning showjumper’s horse had tested positive for a metabolite of tramadol, at a CSI3* event in

Record FEI ban for rider of ‘nerve-blocked’ horse who suffered horrific fracture

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As she had established it was not intentional, the standard two-year ineligibility period could be reduced. It was agreed she had not borne significant fault and negligence, and she was banned for 12 months from 28 June 2019. She was also fined 2,000 Swiss francs (£1,695), and must complete an anti-doping education course in one year. Any show results obtained between 28 June and 23 December 2019 are disqualified.

A spokesman for the FEI said despite the fact the organisation considers the weight loss product to be a contaminated product as the prohibited substance was not disclosed on the label, it cannot be ignored the product is also a supplement. Athletes are responsible for what they ingest and have been warned against the possibility of supplement contamination. In the FEI’s view, the lowest range of sanctions can therefore not be applied in a case when the contaminated product is a supplement.

The FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement between the FEI and the rider.

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A top showjumper who was banned for two years after her horse tested positive for a banned substance has won her appeal against the sanction as it was proved a driver’s urinating in the horsebox caused the result.

European team bronze medal-winning Swiss showjumper Nadja Peter Steiner’s ride Saura De Fondcombe tested positive for banned substance o-desmethyltramadol, a metabolite of painkiller tramadol, in a sample taken at a CSI3* in Tetouan, Morocco, 5-8 October 2017.

At first, Nadja believed the positive sample had been caused by the horse licking someone’s hand but later it was found to be caused by a driver urinating in the horse section of the horsebox.

At an FEI Tribunal hearing on 3 February 2020 Nadja told the panel that after she had won the grand prix at the show, she had to hand the horse over to a member of the organising committee for the duration of the prizegiving, some 20 to 30 minutes. There was a picture taken during this time showing the horse licking the staff member’s hand, which Nadja believed was the source of the contamination.

The FEI said as she had been unable to establish the source of the positive sample, a two-year suspension was imposed, due to end on 21 May 2021. She was fined 7,500 Swiss francs (£6,131) and ordered to pay 2,000 francs in costs.

On 16 March Nadja appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS arbitrator was told a support person on Nadja’s team, who drove the horses to Morocco, had taken tramadol for back pain relief. The driver confessed to urinating in the horse area of the lorry, and could not say he did not do so in the vicinity of the stables – but he could not remember with certainty.

On arrival in Morocco, because the stables were not ready, the horses were held on the horsebox for more than two hours, where they were fed and watered. The leftover hay was moved from the horsebox to the stables, so the contaminated hay was accessible to the horse for an extended period of time.

The arbitrator was told the driver initially did not realise his actions could have caused the positive dope test, and he feared for his professional reputation and job. Once he realised his intake of tramadaol and urination could have caused the positive sample, he confessed directly.

The CAS report states that Nadja has been on the Swiss national team for four years and is acquainted with anti-doping rules, and that she provided statements explaining her daily procedures to prevent contamination at home and at shows. While support personnel should be aware of the risk of human to horse cross contamination, the driver was not educated on the specific risk of such contamination, his job does not involve any handling of the horses, and it would have been “difficult” for Nadja to have expected the driver to urinate near the horse.

The FEI accepted that Nadja had established on a balance of probability how the substance had entered the horse’s system, namely through ingestion of contaminated hay after the driver urination following his intake of tramadol. A spokesman said as Nadja was able to provide a “plausible explanation” for the source of contamination, it was concluded she had no fault or negligence for the positive test. As a result the FEI entered into an agreement with her to eliminate the suspension and fine.

Rider blames horse licking show staff member’s hands for positive dope test

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The CAS accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and Nadja in its decision on 18 June, so the suspension was lifted with immediate effect.

Under the FEI prohibited substances list, a controlled medication is a substance that is used regularly to treat horses, but which must be cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition, while a banned substance is one that is prohibited at all times.

“Because of the presence of the banned substance in the horse’s system, which was not disputed, the horse’s results at the event remain disqualified,” said the spokesman.

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H&H speaks to the International Jumping Riders Club and the FEI to find out to find out more about the issue, and what is being done to try to alleviate concerns around positive tests for prohibited substances caused by accidental contamination...

Changes could be on the cards for certain aspects of FEI anti-doping rules, as riders are “living in fear” of accidental contamination.

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) is asking the FEI to simplify its complex rule system, and the “huge list” of prohibited substances, as part of a review of human and equine anti-doping regulations planned for this year.

A new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code is to be introduced on 1 January 2021 and the IJRC believes that while some changes will be needed to ensure the FEI stays WADA-compliant, “the FEI has scope in some areas to adapt the rules to reflect the specificities of equestrian sport”.

The IJRC sent a survey to all national federations and riders for feedback on the subject, as it states: “The athletes know it is not possible to ask the FEI to change all the legal issues that are not under its control, but they can ask to have the correct conditions to be sufficiently protected.

“Despite the FEI’s best efforts to explain its procedures and rules, riders clearly underlined how the risk of contamination and lack of stable security cause sleepless nights, and even worse, enormous harm, and the worst thing is that they cannot control everything.

“All riders live in fear that a great result will be tainted by a positive drug test that, after a lengthy and arduous process, is proven to be a case of contamination.”

H&H has reported on numerous cases of positive dope tests caused by contamination – from hay bought from show venues that proves to contain naturally occurring plant-based prohibited substances to contact with a human who is contaminated with a banned drug.

Riders have asked for screening levels to be set, or increase, so picograms of a banned substance, far lower than a level that could have any effect, would not mean automatic elimination.

IJRC director Eleonora Ottaviani told H&H contamination is a big issue.

“Riders are responsible for their horses 24 hours a day and we have to follow WADA in that, but how can they be? You can’t stay with a horse all the time; if it’s travelling, it’ll stay in an airport stable, then flies on the plane, normally without even its own groom, to another airport, and then it goes in a lorry – how can you be responsible through all that?

“We see so many cases of contamination [resulting in a positive test]; it’s a rider’s nightmare.”

Mrs Ottaviani raised concerns over stable security and the fact some temporary stabling travels from one show to another, “and who guarantees they’re disinfected?” she asked.

She pointed out that there are more than 1,200 substances on the FEI’s prohibited list, compared to 400 for humans on WADA’s, adding that screening levels are “dangerously low”.

The IJRC has asked that, in cases of accidental contamination when a panel recognises the rider is not at fault, and when the quantity of the substance has not enhanced performance, the athlete should suffer no sanctions or disqualification. The club also plans to hold a round table discussion, including experts in different fields.

“The FEI is taking the subject forwards,” she added. “We’re working hard with them; I’m satisfied with the relationship with the FEI on this.”

An FEI spokesman told H&H it invited federations to give feedback as part of the rule review.

“The FEI is very conscious of the concerns regarding contamination within the equestrian community and has therefore included a dedicated section on contamination,” she added.

“Based on the feedback already received, including input from the IJRC, the FEI is proposing certain changes. These will be presented to the FEI board during its three-day videoconference [this week], after which the first draft of the new [anti-doping rules] will be finalised, and shared with national federations and stakeholders on 13 July for further feedback.

“National federations and stakeholders will have seven weeks to make comments and/or propose any additional changes. The proposed final draft of the proposed rules changes will be provided to national federations and stakeholders on 20 October prior to the federations’ vote during the 2020 FEI general assembly.”

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The FEI Tribunal found the rider guilty of horse abuse as well as breaching anti-doping rules resulting in a record fine and ban from competition. H&H explains the case and shares reaction to the outcome from campaigners Clean Endurance and representatives of Endurance GB...

The rider of a horse thought to have been nerve-blocked who suffered a catastrophic open fracture in competition has been hit with a record fine and ban.

The 10-year-old gelding Castlebar Contraband had to be put down at a one-star endurance ride at Fontainebleau, France, in October 2016, after he sustained what the event organiser described as “the worst fracture I have ever seen” to his right foreleg. Castlebar’s leg, the attending vet said, was “only hanging from the skin and ready to fall off”.

UAE rider Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi had left the scene, witnesses said, and the horse was put down immediately. A post-mortem examination found the presence of xylazine, which is used as a sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant and is prohibited in competition.

After “multiple delays”, the FEI Tribunal ruled on the charges, of horse abuse as well as breaching anti-doping rules, this month.

The Tribunal heard Al Qasimi, the person responsible (PR), claimed the vet who put the horse down must have administered the substance. Al Qasmi also claimed there were mistakes in some of the FEI’s documents, while his expert witness, a lecturer in veterinary pathology, thought it likely the vet who put the horse down had administered the substance, arguing that the concentration of xylazine in the sample was too large for it to have been given before the accident. He added that he did not agree with some of the statements and interpretations in the post-mortem and histopathology (tissue examination) reports.

The post-mortem showed fragmentation of bone, rounded bone ends and contamination at the injury site, suggesting contact between the bone fragments before the horse was immobilised.

Examination also found osteoarthritic lesions, especially on the right front fetlock, and both old and recent lesions on the nerve tracts of the limbs, especially the front legs.

“The FEI stated one of the many conclusions to be drawn from the post-mortem report was that it was highly likely Castlebar had been nerve-blocked with local and regional anaesthetics/sedatives both before and during competition,” the Tribunal report states. The FEI also concluded that haemorrhage of the tissues surrounding the ulnar nerve in the front leg shows the horse was injected there two to four hours before his death, so during the competition.

The FEI’s experts stated that the bone ends’ condition indicate that the horse was bearing weight on the limb after it was fractured, and that the signs of injection result from treatment that would have changed Castlebar’s sense of his own movement and position, and so “favoured the occurrence” of the catastrophic fracture.

FEI veterinary director Göran Åkerström told the Tribunal: “It is a well-known fact that removing the very fundamental protective function of sensitivity by practices such as local or regional injections of anaesthetic substances will increase the risk of catastrophic injury. This is especially relevant for fractures that are due to bone fatigue (stress fractures), where Castlebar will not show any signs of pain such as lameness while under influence of the injected substance.

“At an endurance ride, this means FEI veterinary delegates will not be able to identify Castlebar as lame and he will continue the competition. The continuous loading of the fatigued bone tissue will then with high certainty lead to a severe fracture.

“Comminuted (multi-fractured) fractures are typical results of bone fatigue.

“The post-mortem report gives very clear information that Castlebar Contraband was injected on several occasions before and also during the competition before the leg fractured.”

The FEI’s witnesses said when they saw the horse, after the accident, he did not seem to be in pain; he tried to take weight on the broken leg, despite the “horrible” fracture, and after his death fell on this side, which is very rare.

The rider and his witnesses all denied this, saying the horse was clearly in pain and distressed. But the Tribunal found these statements were “scripted in a similar manner”, that there were inconsistencies, such as the fact the rider first said he signed a form consenting to have the horse put down, but then admitted a member of his team had signed it. These “make the Tribunal question” what other details in the first statement may not have been accurate; they stated that one member of the team’s “memory of the euthanasia appears to have changed between May 2017 and May 2019”.

“The Tribunal’s view is that the PR was trying to absolve himself of any responsibility,” the report stated, adding that the fact two of his witnesses worked for him “could have had an influence on their recollections of the event”.

The panel found no convincing evidence that the attending vet had administered the xylazine, adding that in a previous doping case, Al Qasimi had also argued that the substance was given by a third party, but this was “unsubstantiated speculation”.

“The Tribunal is comfortably satisfied that Castlebar received nerve-blocking injections during the event,” the report states. “By abnormally desensitising Castlebar’s limbs, this caused or likely caused pain and unnecessary discomfort to [him].”

The panel said the rider “did not seem to be particularly concerned about Castlebar’s wellbeing”.

“But what the Tribunal finds most troubling is that the PR apparently left the accident site after Castlebar’s catastrophic injury, demonstrating a remarkable lack of compassion for a horse he claimed to have loved and treated like a member of his own family,” the report states.

“This Tribunal has never before adjudicated on a horse abuse case of this magnitude.”

Al Qasimi was suspended for 20 years, fined 17,500 Swiss francs (£14,500) and ordered to pay 15,000 francs (£12,400) in costs.

“This was a tragic case of a horse losing its life due to desensitisation and micro-dosing and, while we have had concerns that this has been ongoing for some time, this was the first solid evidence we have had of nerve-blocking during rides as well as micro-dosing,” said Dr Åkerström said. “This has resulted in a change in our post mortem procedures to make them more forensic and also allowed us to prioritise the research and development of the hyposensitivity control system, which is now in place.”

A spokesman for campaigners Clean Endurance told H&H: “While assisting the FEI in the investigation prior to bringing this complex case in front of the Tribunal, Clean Endurance has witnessed first-hand the determined efforts of the FEI legal and veterinary departments, as well as those of the many excellent vets involved.

“Clean Endurance is heartened by the fact these efforts have resulted in an unprecedented sanction for abuse. The extensive information in the FEI Tribunal decision notice should become required reading for any endurance stakeholder as it provides a rare public insight into the very common and abusive training, competing and medication protocols Clean Endurance exists to fight against.”

Endurance GB chairman Phil Nunnerley said: “There was clearly a shocking case of abuse involving this horse and Endurance GB applauds the efforts of the FEI legal and veterinary teams in bringing the athlete concerned to justice.

“It sends out a clear message that the FEI has strong investigative powers and even though this case has taken nearly four years to bring together, the appropriate severity of the sentence shows the determination to clean up the sport internationally to safeguard horse welfare and provide clean competition. The message from the UK is that the wider endurance community at all levels is sickened by this case and will not tolerate such abuse.”

Castlebar Contraband had competed in the UK twice the summer before the fatal run at Fontainebleau, at an FEI ride at Euston Park and a ride in South Wales.

Antonia Milner-Matthews, MRCVS, director of welfare for Endurance GB added: “This sanction is welcomed by us all and it reflects a growing mood of impatience for change in rooting out the minority who bring our sport into disrepute with such devastating results.

“Judging by the FEI findings, they clearly think that the nerve-blocking which ultimately led to the death of Castlebar Contraband had been going on some time. In the UK we place welfare at the heart of everything we do and from this year Endurance GB has mirrored the FEI limb sensitivity wording in our rules, which allows us to eliminate those which are showing hyper or hyposensitive limbs.”

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The FEI Tribunal imposed a record fine and a longer than normal ban from competition after the rider failed to provide any explanation for the presence of the drug in two horses he competed. H&H outlines the case...

The rider of two horses who both tested positive for arsenic in competitions a week apart has been ordered to pay a record fine after he made no explanations for the presence of the drug.

Kekmadar, trained by Rashed Suhail Al Darbi, and Si Quilombo, trained by Ibrahim Joynal Abedin, both ridden by Oman’s Said Al Balushi, were tested at CEI* rides at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on 8 December and 15 December 2018 respectively.

Both tested positive for arsenic, which is classed as a banned substance and so is not permitted for use in competition horses at any time.

The FEI Tribunal stated in its report on the case that arsenic is a stimulant used in the treatment of acute refractory leukaemia and to avoid convalescence, but that it understands it has been used to enhance racehorses’ performance.

Neither Al Balushi, the main person responsible (PR), nor the horses’ trainers submitted any information or explanation as to how the drug came to be present in the samples.

The Tribunal report notes that the positive findings confirm the banned substance had been used at least twice on horses ridden by Al Balushi.

It adds: “The Tribunal sees a clear pattern of the use of this substance, and finds that the multiple use qualifies for the application of aggravating circumstances, which justify the imposition of a period of ineligibility greater than the standard sanction, of two years.

“The Tribunal finds this violation to be very serious, and takes this into consideration for the imposition of the sanctions. The PR seemingly has not conducted any duty of care, as is required and expected from a rider.”

The Tribunal fined Al Balushi 10,000 Swiss francs (£8,254) and banned him from competition for three years, effective from 7 February 2019. He was also ordered to pay 2,000 francs (£1,650) in costs.

“Having decided that aggravating circumstances exist in the case at hand, the Tribunal has to decide in a next step on the appropriate sanctions,” the report states.

“In taking into account all the circumstances of the case, in particular the presence of the banned substance on multiple occasions and the PR’s failure to provide any explanations for the positive findings, the Tribunal finds a period of ineligibility of three years proportionate in the case at hand.

“In addition, the Tribunal decides to impose a high fine for this serious violation.”

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After eight endurance cases were heard by the FEI Tribunal during the past month, H&H finds out how the FEI’s risk-based strategic approach to dope-testing is paying off...

An increase in dope testing is on the cards for “high-risk” countries, the FEI has confirmed. The body has been increasing testing over the past four years and plans to expand this further.

H&H had asked whether a rise in testing was behind the fact the FEI Tribunal heard eight endurance doping cases in a month (March). In the same period, one reining and one showjumping case were heard.

“From 1 January 2016, the FEI’s global equine anti-doping and controlled medication programme (EADCMP) was rolled out worldwide, with increased testing throughout all levels of FEI disciplines,” an FEI spokesman told H&H.

“In 2017 the FEI took a more risk-based strategic approach, which has led to increased testing in high-risk areas with the aim of safeguarding horse welfare and ensuring a level playing field.

“The strategy has led to a higher number of positive cases, proving that endurance in some parts of the world has major challenges with compliance to [requirements]. The FEI is aiming to continue to increase testing in high-risk countries and will appoint FEI testing vets to carry [this] out at some of the most prestigious events once the FEI calendar returns to normal.”

The FEI has also introduced its hyposensitivity control programme, which detects horses who may have been nerve-blocked during rides.

“Clean sport is an absolute must,” added the spokesman. “It is clear we, like all international federations, need to continue to work to get the message across that clean sport and a level playing field are non-negotiable.”

The FEI Tribunal cases

The positive tests were between January 2018 and September 2019, at events in a range of countries, mostly in the Middle East, and riders of various nationalities.

Two involved accidental contamination involving specified substances — those that may be in a horse’s system as a result of contamination – and riders in both cases were cleared of any wrongdoing, with no fines or bans.

Another case related to a sedative allegedly given to the horse while he was clipped 35 hours before the race, with the banned substance testosterone accounting for two other cases.

Three cases found a mix of controlled medications in horses’ systems. These are substances with a legitimate use in equine veterinary medicine, but must not be present on competition days.

In February 2019 at a CEI2* in Saudi Arabia, Alrahawi was found to have seven controlled medications (two of which were metabolites) in his system.

“The ‘cocktail’ consists of anti-inflammatory medication, local anaesthetics, medications for treatment of skin diseases and corticosteroids,” stated the FEI evidence. “This indicated several medical conditions that in the FEI’s view would render the horse unfit to compete.”

The FEI added the use of anaesthetics also increases the risk of catastrophic injury.

The rider Abdulelah Alonaizi submitted a statement that the trainer Alyazeed Al Dawood, the vet and owner bear responsibility.

He stated he was unaware anything had been given to the horse before the event.

He added he contacted the owner and trainer after the results of the test, with the vet allegedly telling them that there should have been enough time for the drugs to be out of the horse’s system before the event.

The trainer co-signed the statement provided by Mr Alonaizi, but did not provide any explanation for the findings.

Both the rider and trainer were suspended for a year, fined 3,500CHF (£2,909) and ordered to pay 1,500CHF (£1,246) costs.

In the other two cases of multiple substances, one was attributed to human error; the second said this was his first FEI competition and he did not know about the clean sport rules.

Horse Al Jarri tested positive for bute and a metabolite of the drug, as well as dexamethasone, a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory effect, at a CEI2* in Dubai in November 2018.

Rider Ali Mubarak Salem Mohd Bin Allooba said the drugs are used in routine treatment after long training rides. He added Al Jarri had not done such a ride as the team was happy with how he was going and entered him in the endurance ride instead, but someone forgot to take his name off a list given to the vet.

“The person responsible and his team understands fully that [these drugs] are controlled medications that should not be used so near the competition,” states the explanation. “It was regrettably a human mistake that all the stable staff will work very hard to avoid in the future.”

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Peter Green MRCVS shares important news that may explain why some horses have been testing positive for aminorex

Aminorex is an amphetamine-like stimulant drug banned in racing and other equestrian competitions because horses given clinical doses would be hyperactive and may perform better.

Doping agencies in the USA and Europe have been finding aminorex in the urine of racehorses and sports horses since the early 2000s. Trainers and owners have been heavily fined and banned as a result, despite pleading their innocence.

A number of these cases were eventually traced to the cattle wormer levamisole, which is sometimes used as an immune stimulant for horses with chronic lethargy or infections. As a result, trainers and riders and owners were warned to avoid the use of levamisole in competition horses.

But occasional cases of aminorex in post-competition urine samples have continued to crop up on both sides of the Atlantic. Affected trainers, riders and owners have been adamant that they have avoided the substance. So where is the aminorex coming from?

Equine vets in Kentucky, USA, have carefully scrutinised some of the affected urine samples in an attempt to answer this question. With thorough analysis, they found unidentified compounds in the urine that suggested a plant origin.

After consulting the botanical library, they discovered that plants in the Brassica family are known to contain a chemical called barbarin – which is similar to aminorex.

Barbarin is named after the plant from which it was originally isolated, a weed called Barbarea vulgaris, called yellow rocket in the US and know in the UK as common wintercress.

To test whether this weed is implicated in the aminorex problem, the vets picked yellow rocket plants, then cleaned, dried and fed them to horses at the University of Kentucky.

Within eight hours of eating the plants, aminorex was detected in the horses’ urine. This shows the active compound barbarin is metabolised by the horse into aminorex, the amphetamine.

It seems likely that other plants in the brassica family may contain barbarin, and because this is the cabbage family, they could be palatable – even attractive – to horses.

The key question now is whether the very low levels of aminorex in these horses have an impact on their performance.

Reference: Aminorex identified in horse urine following consumption of Barbarea vulgaris; a preliminary report Irish Veterinary Journal (2019) 72:15-23

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