Two showjumpers penalised after positive tests for banned substances
A South African showjumper has been provisionally suspended after his horse tested positive for a banned substance.
Jonathan Clarke’s mount Felix Van De Mispelaere tested positive for Minoxidil. This is vasodilator, which causes blood vessels to dilate.
The pair were competing at a CSI*-W event in Polokwane in South Africa this summer (29 August).
Both the horse and rider have been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification (21 October) as is the FEI’s protocol.
The athlete and the owners of the horse now have the opportunity to appeal.
Meanwhile Venezuelan showjumper Pablo Barrios has been fined after he tested positive for a banned substance.
Pablo was selected for in-competition testing at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, in Mexico, on 29 November 2014.
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Analysis of the urine sample at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, which is a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA’s) 2014 prohibited list.
Earlier this week (Monday, 26 October) the FEI announced the Tribunal has reprimanded the rider, fined him 1,500 CHF and that he bear the legal costs of the judicial procedure. He has been disqualified from the event.
FEI rules
The FEI provides a list of substances prohibited for use in horses competing at FEI events. This list consists of two groups of substances: banned and controlled medication.
Banned substances are not permitted for use in horses competing. Controlled medications are acknowledged as substances with therapeutic veterinary benefits but are not permitted during FEI events because of the potential for their misuse.
Testing programmes and protocols are implemented to detect the presence of prohibited substances in horses competing. Urine and/or blood samples from horses tested are sent by courier to one of five FEI laboratories.
FEI has developed anti-doping rules for its human athletes in compliance with the WADA Code as well as with WADA’s international standards.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.