Jessica Kurten speaks out about positive dope test

Leading Irish show jumper Jessica Krten was under a cloud at the Europeans last weekend, when it was revealed that one of her top horses, Castle Forbes Maike, tested positive for a banned substance.

The positive test was at a CSIO5* at La Baule, France, in May where Jessica won the 100,000 (about 68,000) first prize.

There is a positive dope test, confirmed Jessica at the weekend. But there is absolutely nothing to ground this, I didn’t give my horse anything.

I dont know the substance. Ive left it in the hands of my lawyer. I gave everything to my lawyer just before the Europeans so that I could concentrate on my riding.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) will not announce anything until the second sample, B, has been tested. If this proves positive, Jessica could be fined and stripped of her prize-money from La Baule, plus, more seriously, she could be banned from competing for a period of time.

While the FEI has not released any further information on the substance, Jessicas husband, Eckardt Krten has told reporters the substance was the lowest of the three grades classified by horse sports governing body, the FEI.

The Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) last night, 20 August, confirmed that Castle Forbes Maike had tested positive for a prohibited substance, but said: we cannot give a date for the result of the [B] test because the FEI is still awaiting confirmation of a test date.

With pressure mounting between the Irish team riders in German, Jessica let off steam in front of TV cameras on Sunday, 19 August.

As she left the arena after hitting two fences in the individual competition, 37-year-old Jessica was captured on RTE cameras shouting: I think theres a pack of Irish a*******s who are trying to give me a bad time.

The EFI said of her outburst: While recognising the pressures to which riders are subjected at the highest level of international competition, it is not the policy of the EFI to condone intemperate behaviour by its officials or competitors towards members of the media or public.

• Jessica Kurten’s website
• International Equestrian Federation website
• Equestrian Federation of Ireland website
• European Show Jumping Championship website

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