Jessica Kurten to appeal ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Irish show jumper Jessica Kurten will appeal her two-month suspension from competition to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Yesterday, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) fined Jessica and banned her from competing for two months following the discovery of a banned substance in her horse’s bloods at a show in France last year.

After the CSIO 5* in La Baule, France in May 2007, Castle Forbes Maike was selected for a random dope check, and tested positive for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug etoricoxib

The drug is a low-grade “medication” substance according to FEI rules and Jessica, Ireland’s top show jumper, has always protested her innocence.

Today, her spokesman Martina Brueske told H&H that Jessica intends to appeal the FEI’s decision to CAS — which will mean the two-month ban will be suspended until the CAS gives its ruling.

Jessica said in a statement: “I am not guilty, I gave my horse nothing.”

She has also questioned FEI procedures for the second time, claiming they are not in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Ms Brueske confirmed to H&H that Jessica Kurten will be competing in Germany this weekend.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), the country’s governing body for equestrian sport, has declined to comment on the case.

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