Michael Whitaker wins in New York on return from doping ban

Michael Whitaker came back to form with a win at his first competition since the end of his four-month ban.

The British Olympic show jumper was found guilty in September of inadvertently doping his stallion Tackeray (news, 1 October).

His ban started in June, when the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced it had found traces of altrenogest, a substance banned for use in stallions, in a random sample taken in May.

Competing at the Sycracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in New York last weekend, Michael made a winning return in the CN Gambler’s Choice — a fancy-dress, top-score competition — on Udokus.

He also finished fourth in the three-phase Sporthorse Cup on Insul Tech Wonami Van Den Aard.

• A full report from the competition will appear in H&H on 12 November

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