More Riders Banned by the FEI for Prohibited Substances

The FEI announces new proceedings in prohibited substance cases 

The FEI has announced two new Adverse Analytical Findings involving prohibited substances.

Samples taken at the CSIO2* in Tehran (IRI), 22-25 September 2015 from the horse Sir de Diamant (FEI ID 102PH75/IRI), ridden by Mohammad Davoud Shekofti (IRI), have returned positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol and its metabolite, 16 Beta Hydroxy-Stanozol, an anabolic steroid that promotes muscle mass. The horse’s sample also tested positive for the Controlled Medication substances Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat inflammatory and auto-immune conditions, and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Flunixin.

Samples taken at the Young Horse Endurance Championships in Valeggio sul Minico (ITA) on 26 September 2015 from the horse Barbaforte Bosana (FEI ID 104OJ42), ridden by Camilla Malta (ITA), have tested positive for the Banned Substance Ergonovine, a vasoconstrictor.

Both athletes have been provisionally suspended from the date of notification (16 November 2015). The horses have also been provisionally suspended for a two-month period.

Support personnel

In a separate case, the FEI has notified Dr Pasha Syed Kamaal (IND) that a case has been opened against him as support personnel in the 2012 case of Glenmorgan (FEI ID UAE40813). Samples taken from the horse, which was ridden by HH Sheik Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE) in the CEI3* 160 km at Al Wathba (UAE) on 10 February 2012 returned positive for the Banned Substance Propoxyphene, an opioid analgaesic, and its metabolite Norpropoxyphene.

The FEI Tribunal had already imposed a 27-month suspension on HH Sheik Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Person Responsible, which was reduced to 18 months on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). During the FEI Tribunal and CAS proceedings, Dr Syed Kamaal made statements confirming that he had administered the product Fustex to the horse on the night before the event. Fustex contains Propoxyphene, although it is not listed as an ingredient.

Dr Syed Kamaal has been provisionally suspended from the date of notification (16 November) in advance of the case coming before the FEI Tribunal.

Final Decisions

The FEI Tribunal has issued Final Decisions in the case of the horse Up Date 2 (FEI ID GER46325/ITA), with sanctions imposed against the rider, horse owner and vet. Samples taken from the horse at the CSI3* San Giovanni in Marignano (ITA) on 9 August returned positive for the Banned Substance Stanozol.

A two-year period of ineligibility was imposed on the rider, Mariano Ossa (ARG), the Person Responsible (PR) under the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations, from the date of sample collection. However, the FEI Tribunal reduced the period of suspension by five months as substantial assistance from the PR resulted in proceedings being opened against the horse owner and the vet. As a result, the PR will be ineligible through to 8 March 2016. He was also fined CHF 2,000 and ordered to pay CHF 1,000 towards the legal costs of the judicial procedure.

Additionally, the horse has been disqualified from all placings at the event, as well as from all placings achieved since 21 May 2014, the date of administration of the Banned Substance.

The horse owner, Fabio Mazzarella (VEN), and the FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian Dr William Yerkes (USA) were both charged under Article 2.2 of the FEI Equine Anti-Doping Regulations relating to use or attempted use of a Banned Substance. A two-year period of ineligibility has been imposed on Dr Yerkes, and a 19-month suspension for Mr Mazzarella. Both periods of ineligibility have been backdated to 21 May 2014, the date when the Banned Substance was administered to the horse. The owner has also been fined CHF 5,000.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.