The case of the horse Hermes (FEI ID: 105SD82), ridden by Dutch athlete Dinja Van Liere, is unfortunate but regrettably was totally avoidable had the straightforward checks been carried out by the Dutch National Federation and owner before the 15 January 2021 deadline.

The FEI General Regulations are very clear that the responsibility on the ownership of horses lies with the National Federation, therefore it is the responsibility of the Dutch National Federation to ensure that any horse entered for the Games to represent The Netherlands is registered in Dutch nationality and that all entries are up to date and accurate.

Please refer to Article 139 of the FEI General Regulations which states: Owners and Lessees of Horses

National Federations must keep a register of the Owners and lessees of Horses with official passports. Changes of Owners and records of leasing agreements must be entered in the FEI and/or national passport and authenticated by the stamp and signature of an National Federation official.

The rules in relation to the nationality of horses that compete in the Olympic Games and the deadline to ensure all horses meet the nationality requirements are extremely clear and all National Federations were specifically advised of the requirements well in advance of the deadline(s). For your information the original deadline was 15 January 2020, and due to the postponement of the Olympic Games, this deadline was updated to 15 January 2021.

All National Federations, horse owners and athletes had ample opportunities to ensure that the correct nationality was entered in the FEI database and FEI passport and these requirements need to be fulfilled for horses to be eligible to compete at the Olympic Games. In this case, the information was not updated despite the clear reminders issued by the FEI in advance of the deadline.

The FEI understands the disappointment that the opportunity for selection for the Olympic Games is no longer a possibility for Hermes and Dinja Van Liere, due to the fact that the horse was not registered with a Dutch nationality by 15 January 2021 as per the requirements. However, this rule is based on fairness and transparency and is not simply a formality. The rule does not provide for exceptions to be granted, and it must be applied consistently to all National Federations, Athletes and Horses to ensure a level playing field.

The full reasoned FEI Tribunal decision is available here.

The Dutch National Federation and the owner of the horse each filed separate requests for provisional measures to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Sunday 4 July 2021. Those requests were both dismissed by the CAS around midday on Monday 5 July 2021. According to the FEI Statutes, the FEI Tribunal and the CAS are the only bodies with authority to rule on this matter; therefore the FEI now considers the matter to be closed.

A horse nationality case involving the Israeli athlete Daniel Bluman and the horse Gemma W (FEI ID: 105RR80) was also appealed to the FEI Tribunal and the CAS. The full reasoned FEI tribunal decision is published here.

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decisions in a number of equine and human anti-doping cases.  

This first case involves an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol, a “Non-Specified Substance” listed in Class S1.2, Other Anabolic Agents, under the 2019 WADA Prohibited List. It is prohibited at all times, in-and out of competition.

A sample taken on 4 June 2019, out-of-competition, from the Mexican athlete Abraham Gaspar Ojeda Serrano (FEI ID 10012274/MEX) returned positive for Clenbuterol. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 2 April 2020 and was provisionally suspended.

The athlete established, on a balance of probabilities that the prohibited substance entered his body through the ingestion of meat contaminated with Clenbuterol. He had visited several restaurants and food stands where he consumed a significant amount of meat, despite being aware of the risk of contamination in the region. Therefore, the FEI Tribunal ruled that the athlete bore no significant fault or negligence.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal ruled that the athlete is suspended for a period of 16 months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (30 June 2021). The Provisional Suspension served by the Athlete as of 2 April 2020 shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period, meaning, the Athlete is suspended until 1 August 2021.

Additionally, the athlete has been fined CHF 3,000.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.

 

The second case involves the horse Blue Diamond (FEI ID 106HE36/JOR), ridden by Fahad Alkharmani (FEI ID 100725647KSA) and trained by Anas Al Saied (FEI ID 10185797/JOR). Samples taken from the horse at the CEI2* 120 – Wadi Rum (JOR) on 14 November 2019 tested positive for the Banned Substance Diisopropylamine.

Both the athlete and the trainer of the horse were unable to give any plausible explanation for the presence of the Prohibited Substance in the horse’s sample.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year Period of Ineligibility on the athlete and the trainer. The Provisional Suspension, which came into effect on 13 January 2020, is credited against the Period of Ineligibility imposed in the decision, meaning both the athlete and trainer will be ineligible until 12 January 2022. Each were was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to each pay costs of CHF 2,000.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.

Notes to Editors:

FEI Clean Sport - human athletes

The FEI is part of the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The aim of this movement is to protect fair competition as well as athlete health and welfare.

WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the List are classified by different categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).

As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI runs a testing programme for human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the Code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).

For further information, please consult the Clean Sport section of the FEI website here.

FEI Equine Prohibited Substances

The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are medications that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.

The FEI Tribunal has issued two Final Decisions in equine and human anti-doping cases.

A sample taken from the El Salvadoran athlete Paulo Sergio Mateo Santana Filho (FEI ID 10027830/ESA) on 9 June 2018 at the CSI5* Spruce Meadows (USA) returned positive for the Prohibited Substance Boldenone, a class S1 anabolic agent on the 2018 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 11 July 2018 and was provisionally suspended from that date.

In its Final Decision of 25 April 2019, the FEI Tribunal imposed a four-year period of ineligibility on the athlete who appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In its ruling announced earlier this month, the CAS upheld the FEI Tribunal Decision in its entirety, meaning the athlete remains ineligible until 10 July 2022.

The full Decision is available here.

The second case involves Saudi Arabian Endurance athlete and trainer Rafea Alamri (FEI ID 10102507/KSA) following three separate, consecutive anti-doping rule violations (ADRV).

Samples taken from the horse Walfan (FEI ID 104ZY27) at the CEI2* 120km in Al Ula (KSA) on 2 February 2019 tested positive for the Banned Substances Reserpine and Heptaminol, and the Controlled Medication Phenylbutazone and its metabolite Oxyphenbutazone.

Walfan was provisionally suspended as of 4 March, but on 9 March 2019, samples taken from the horse at the CEI1* 110 in Al Qaseem (KSA) also returned positive for Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone.

Rafea Alamri was both the athlete and registered trainer at the event in Al Ula, while in Al Qaseem, the horse was ridden by Ali Alhashem (FEI ID 10020258), with Rafea Alamri registered as the trainer. The FEI imposed a six-month suspension against the athlete Ali Alhashem in separate proceedings for the Equine Controlled Medication Rule violation.  

The third anti-doping rule violation for Rafea Alamri involves the horse Ankor Class (FEI ID 106JN74) at the CEI2* 120 in Al Ula (KSA) where he was the registered trainer. Samples taken from the horse on 1 February 2020 tested positive for Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal suspended Rafea Alamri for seven and a half years for these three consecutive anti-doping violations. The ineligibility period begins as of the date of the Final Decision on 24 June 2021 as there was a breach of the original Provisional Suspension effective from 4 March 2019, meaning Alamri remains ineligible until 23 December 2028. He has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 35,000 and to contribute CHF 4,000 towards costs incurred by the FEI during the proceedings.

The full Decision is available here.

Notes to Editors:

FEI Clean Sport - human athletes

The FEI is part of the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The aim of this movement is to protect fair competition as well as athlete health and welfare.

WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the List are classified by different categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).

As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI runs a testing programme for human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the Code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).

For further information, please consult the Clean Sport section of the FEI website here.

FEI Equine Prohibited Substances

The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

Specified Substances

The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.

Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a case involving Prohibited Substances.

The case involved the horse Cybele de L’Oule (FEI ID 105VH42/UAE) ridden by Sh. Tahnoon Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (FEI ID 10093006/UAE) and trained by Mohd Salem Abdulla Al Ameri (FEI ID 10081586/UAE). Samples taken from the horse at the CEI1* 80km in Bou Thib (UAE) on 2 November 2019, tested positive for the Banned Substance Arsenic and the Controlled Medication Flunixin.

Under the terms of the Final Decision, the horse and athlete have been disqualified from the event, and a two-year period of ineligibility has been imposed on the athlete and the trainer. The period of provisional suspension, effective from 2 December 2019, has been credited against the period of ineligibility imposed in this decision, meaning the athlete and trainer remain ineligible until 1 December 2021. As with all cases involving banned substances, the horse was provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification (2 December 2019).

The athlete and trainer are each required to pay a fine of CHF 7,500 and to contribute CHF 2,000 towards costs incurred by the FEI during the proceedings.

The full Decision is available here.

The Longines eJumping World Tour 2021, equestrian’s latest game development is set to transform the global online Jumping community. Fans can now connect with each other in a virtual competition arena as they play for the top spot on the leaderboard.

Created by GoGallop Studios, a leading publisher in the mobile game world, the eJumping virtual series follows the Eventing version, the FEI Equestriad™ World Tour where horse and athlete combinations compete across the three tests of Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping.

With FEI Top Partner Longines lending its name to this newest eSeries addition, GoGallop has released the Shanghai leg in the first of four virtual events that will form the Longines eJumping World Tour 2021.

“The partnership between Longines and the FEI, has been based on our mutual values of elegance, tradition and performance with the disciplines we support,” Longines Vice President Marketing Matthieu Baumgartner said.

“Our relationship with the FEI has evolved greatly since 2013 and our support for this eGame initiative is just a natural progression in our brand awareness and digital growth strategy. We are excited to have the Longines eJumping World Tour as part of our sponsorship portfolio and are proud to play a part in the development of this new chapter in the FEI’s digital activities.”

The Jumping events in the fantasy venues of Sydney, New York and Paris will round off the Longines eSeries World Tour, with gamers able to compete against each other for their place on the virtual Longines eJumping World Tour Rankings. As players move up on the global game leaderboard they unlock challenges and rewards in the game, adding ribbons and trophies to their in-game display cabinet.

“These eGames are an excellent example of the way in which technology and brands can come together to enhance the development of equestrian,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.

“With the support of our Top Partner Longines and GoGallop’s gaming expertise, we are able to take equestrian sport to a truly global audience and offer a level of engagement and immersion that traditional outreach methods have been unable to provide so far. Gaming is an agile market with tremendous potential for broadening equestrian’s reach and attractiveness and we look forward to seeing where this journey takes us.”

Since the FEI entered into a five-year licensing agreement with GoGallop in April 2021, the Australian-based company has been hard at work developing a series of FEI branded and FEI Nations Cup™ virtual events in the three Olympic disciplines. The eGames target horse lovers of all ages, from beginner pony club to more experienced riders. The company’s motto of “Made for horse lovers, by horse lovers” plays a key role in their approach to their eGame development.

“On the sport side, our aim is to create an online competition experience which allows gamers to increase their knowledge and understanding of the sport,” CEO of GoGallop Craig Laughton said.

“To compete, gamers have to learn the rules of each discipline, with feedback and positive reinforcement provided to them along the way through real-time commentary. By working with the FEI and their partners, we have been able to add a greater sense of realism and to enhance the whole gaming experience for fans.

“But equestrian is not just a sport, it is also a lifestyle choice and first time players receive a brief tutorial on the fundamentals of horsemanship and horse care. All these elements must come together for players to earn the necessary points that take them to the next level.”   

The Sydney, New York and Paris legs of the Longines eJumping World Tour 2021 will be rolled out over the coming months, and plans are also underway for the release of an eDressage Series.

The Longines eJumping World Tour is now available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play.

On the morning of 19 June 2021, at the Montalcino CEI1* 100 ride in Italy, Tuscan Endurance athlete Gianfranco Nassini suffered a heart attack whilst on the field of play. He received medical treatment immediately and was transferred by helicopter to Siena hospital, but unfortunately did not survive.  

Gianfranco Nassini, aged 61, was a well-established member in the Endurance community with a great passion for the sport.

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Gianfranco Nassini’s family and friends, the Italian Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.

The FEI Tribunal has published the full reasoned decision in the 10-year suspension of US Jumping athlete Andrew Kocher for the use of electric spurs. The decision is based on violation of the FEI General Regulations Articles 142 and 164.12 including horse abuse, breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the welfare of the horse, competition manipulation and incorrect behaviour.

The full reasoned decision follows publication of the operative decision by the FEI on 22 April and provides a summary of the relevant facts, allegations and arguments based on the Parties’ written submissions, pleadings and oral testimony submitted throughout the proceedings and at the oral hearing held on 14, 15 and 16 April 2021.

In addition to the 10-year period of ineligibility and disqualification of all results obtained at events for which the FEI Tribunal was provided with photographic evidence establishing the use of electric spurs, the athlete was also fined CHF 10,000 and ordered to pay costs of CHF 7,500.

Following receipt of the full reasoned decision on 10 June 2021, the Parties have 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The FEI Tribunal has published its Final Decision in the case against Canadian Jumping athlete Nicole Walker. A sample taken from the athlete on 7 August, the day of the team final at the Pan-American Games 2019 in Lima (PER), tested positive for the cocaine metabolite Benzoylecgonine, a prohibited substance under the WADA Prohibited Substance List.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal noted that the FEI accepted that, on a balance of probability, the Athlete bore no significant fault or negligence for the anti-doping rule violation after drinking coca leaf tea on the day of the team final.

In a settlement reached between the athlete and the FEI, which has now been approved by the FEI Tribunal, a one-year period of ineligibility was agreed, commencing on 26 September 2019 and ending on 26 September 2020. A provisional suspension imposed by the FEI on 8 November 2019 was lifted on 26 September 2020 on appeal to the FEI Tribunal. As the athlete did not compete between the Pan-American Games 2019 and the start of the provisional suspension, the full period of ineligibility has now been served.

The athlete has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 1,500. Each of the Parties must bear their own legal costs.

In addition, the athlete has to complete an anti-doping education course within the next 12 months and provide certification to both the FEI and Equestrian Canada on completion of the course.

In its decision of 11 December 2019, the Panam Sports Disciplinary Commission had disqualified the individual results obtained by Nicole Walker on 7 and 9 August 2019, and her results from 6 and 7 August 2019 were replaced with those of the fourth Canadian team member for the team final, meaning that Argentina earned a team quota place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The athlete and her National Federation, Equestrian Canada, appealed the disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but in an operative award published on 12 January 2021, the CAS dismissed that appeal. The CAS published its full reasoned arbitral award in April of this year, allowing the FEI Tribunal to decide on the merits of the case.

Under the terms of Article 10.2.2 of the Panam Sports Anti-Doping Rules, responsibility for results management in terms of sanctions beyond the event itself is referred to the applicable International Federation, meaning that any period of ineligibility had to be imposed by the FEI.

Full details of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision are available here.

Olympic bronze medallist Daniel Deusser (GER) is back in the number one spot in the Longines Rankings for the third time. He takes over at the top with a total of 3,385 points.

Deusser, a member of the German squad that took team bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was lying second at the end of the previous rankings period just 25 points behind 2012 Olympic champion, Steve Guerdat (SUI), who has held the position since February 2020 is now down to second spot.

Deusser is no stranger to being world number one. In 2017 he took over pole position from fellow-countryman Christian Ahlmann who had enjoyed a lengthy period at the top and in 2015, Deusser broke the 16-month reign of Scott Brash (GBR).

Based in Belgium, Deusser was part of the silver medal winning team at the Longines FEI European Championships 2019 in Rotterdam (NED), just pipped at the last fence by Belgium. He was also part of the silver medal winning teams at the European Championships in 2013 and 2015.

With his loyal stallion Cornet d’Amour, Deusser won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Lyon (FRA) in 2014 and finished third in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2016.

As the equestrian calendar starts opening up again, the new rankings reflect some strong points-earning performances, with Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs staying in third position on 3,101, Ben Maher (GBR) up into fourth on 3,008 ahead of Kent Farrington (USA) and Scott Brash (GBR). Sweden’s Peder Fredricson has dropped from fourth to seventh, ahead of Ireland’s Darragh Kenny. McLain Ward (USA) and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) make up the top 10 with just three points between them.

The full Longines Rankings list is published here.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has kicked off year-long centenary celebrations today, calling for the equestrian community to show its commitment to “Shaping the future of equestrian sports together.”

A video highlighting the achievements, successes and milestones of the organisation and the sport has been produced to mark this special occasion. Iconic moving and stills images capture a historic century in the equestrian world and pays tribute to the incredible diversity that exists within the community. Olympic individual and team silver medallist and former European Jumping Champion Peder Fredericson (SWE) narrates a story that brings together members of the community in a truly authentic equestrian celebration.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant the FEI has had to adapt its centenary plans which will now extend through to the end of May 2022. A dedicated 100 Years Hub has been created on FEI.org, featuring stories, interviews, online competitions and other fan engagement activities which will allow people to share their memories and experiences over the next 12 months. Fans around the world are encouraged to take part in the #FEI100Years digital celebrations.

“The FEI’s 100 year celebration is about bringing together each and every individual who connects with the horse at any level,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“We want this to be an inclusive celebration commemorating our collective journey over the past 100 years and looking ahead to shaping the future of equestrian sports together as a united community.

“Equestrian sport is rich in diversity and the one key factor that binds everyone together is our shared connection with and passion for the horse. For equestrian sport to continue to grow and flourish we need to make sure that together we cherish all members of our community and that everyone contributes to the key values at the heart of the sport.”

A key initiative in the drive for greater inclusivity in the community is a plan to formalise the international status of Grooms and formally acknowledge the vital role they play with structures that ensure their wellbeing while they safeguard the wellbeing of the horses in their care.  

Together with representatives from national associations and the global community, the FEI will address the global status of Grooms on 2 June during the online FEI Sports Forum. A dedicated session will explore concrete measures to raise the profile of Grooms internationally and discuss a more structured framework of cooperation between the FEI and the Grooms community.

The FEI was created in 1921 to oversee the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing with just eight member signatories: Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America. Today, alongside the Olympic disciplines, the FEI also governs the non-Olympic disciplines of Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining as well as the Para Equestrian disciplines of Dressage and Driving and has grown in membership to 136 affiliated National Federations.

The sport has experienced exponential growth globally over the last decade with more than 4,600 international events now run under FEI rules annually, across all disciplines. In 2009, there were 27,000 athletes registered to compete internationally and this number grew to 43,000 in 2019.

The FEI has been governed by 13 Presidents over its 100 year history, including three successive female Presidents. During the 27 years that The Princess Royal GCVO (GBR), HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbòn (ESP) and HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein (JOR) were at the helm, the FEI earned a reputation for being an International Federation that championed gender equality on the field of play as well as in the administration of the sport. The FEI’s longest serving President, the late Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh was due to celebrate his 100th birthday in the same year as the FEI.

In June 2020, the FEI welcomed its top tier classification in the Association for Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) governance review. The FEI was one of six International Federations that ASOIF said “stood out from the rest”, a testimony to the robust governance structures and best practices that the organisation has put in place over the years.