Olympic committee defends decision to send horse who failed drug test in June to Rio
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has defended its decision to allow a dressage horse that failed a drug test in June to compete at the Rio Olympics.
Suzanne Hearn’s Olympic ride Remmington tested positive for controlled medication meloxicam at Rotterdam CDI3* in June.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidical anti-inflamatory drug that is listed on the “controlled medication” part of the FEI’s equine prohibited substances list (EPSL).
Items on this list are deemed by the FEI to have therapeutic value and/or be commonly used in equine medicine. However, they are not allowed to be present in a horse on competition days.
She accepted the FEI’s administrative sanction on 5 August of a fine of 1,500 Swiss francs (£1,192.98), plus costs, and disqualification from the Dutch show.
A statement from the AOC said it became aware that a notification of positive controlled medication had been issued on 3 August.
“By that time the Australian dressage team, including Sue Hearn and her horse Remmington were already on the ground in Rio,” said an AOC spokesman.
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“There was no travelling reserve with dressage and it was not logistically possible to make a substitute.
“Equestrian Australia nominated Sue Hearn in good faith to the AOC who subsequently selected Hearn to the Australian Olympic team.
“Sport entries were complete, the nomination and selection period was no longer current and therefore relevant.
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“Sue accepted the administrative sanction immediately and was cleared by the FEI to compete.
“Given the circumstances the AOC felt Sue should retain her place in the team.”
Suzanne, who was riding as an individual for Australia, finished 54th at the Games.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.