Athletes can be tested in-competition based on various selection criteria (such as placement, random selection, etc.) which are defined in advance in the FEI’s testing plan. Considering that FEI Championships are high profile events, athletes should expect increased testing numbers.

Athletes are considered to be in competition during the period commencing one (1) hour before the beginning of the first horse inspection the day before a competition in which they are scheduled to participate, through to the end of their last competition at the event or the sample collection process related to such competition.

As part of the FEI human anti-doping education program, educational booths will be available on site at certain FEI Championships to provide information, advice and workshops for athletes and athlete support personnel.  

For details regarding the above, please refer to the relevant sections in this Guide.

Testing may take place at any time during the FEI Period of the Event for each respective discipline.

As Athlete, you are the Person Responsible (PR) for your horse and carry the ultimate responsibility, which includes legal proceedings should your horse test positive. Furthermore, members of your support team may also be held liable in addition to you.

Anything that is included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (“the List”) is prohibited. Substances that have a similar chemical structure or biological effect to those listed are also prohibited. If you are tested and your sample is positive for one of the substances on the List this will be considered as an anti-doping rule violation unless you hold a corresponding Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).In addition to testing positive for a prohibited substance, there are 10 other categories of anti-doping rule violations. Seven (7) of these anti-doping rule violations can be committed not only by athletes but also by other persons, including athlete support personnel.

The 11 categories of anti-doping rule violations are:

Presence

(An athlete tests positive)

​Use

(An athlete uses or tries to use a prohibited substance or method).

Evading sample collection

(An athlete does not go to the Doping Control Station when notified for testing, or refuses to take a test, or does not provide a complete sample).

Whereabouts failures

(A Registered Testing Pool athlete is not where they said they will be in their whereabouts information, or miss a test during their 60 minutes time slot, or does not submit their whereabouts on time, or submit incomplete or wrong information).

Tampering

(An athlete or other person interferes with the testing or doping control process, including during the prosecution of a case).

Possession

(An athlete or athlete support personnel has a prohibited substance in their possession).

Trafficking

(An athlete or other person handles, transports, sells or attempts to sell prohibited substances).

Administration to an athlete

(An athlete or other person gives or tries to give a prohibited substance to an athlete).

Complicity

(An athlete or other person helps or tries to help cover up an ADRV, or is involved in an ADRV in any way).

​Prohibited association

(An athlete or other person works with or seeks help or services from an athlete support personnel who is serving a period of suspension). 

Discourage or retaliate

(An athlete or other person frightens someone from reporting suspected doping, or seeks revenge against those who have reported doping).

For further information please refer to:

The FEI’s website “Clean-Sport – Humans” hub.

WADA’s e-learning “ADEL for International-Level Athletes” on the ADEL online educational platform.

FEI’s e-learning “Human Anti-Doping” on the FEI Campus platform.

The FEI publishes the Equine Prohibited Substances List Any substance featured on the list must not be present in the horse’s body during the Period of the Event.

The use of Banned Substances is prohibited at all times.

Substances that have a similar chemical structure or biological effect are also prohibited.

Care must be taken to ensure that prohibited substances are not still present in the horse’s body following an earlier treatment and that any feeds, supplements or topical preparations used do not contain prohibited substances.

You can find out how to check if a substance can be used here and

Tampering with any part of the sampling equipment and process.

It is not only a positive test that can result in an EADCM violation.  Any of the following actions may result in legal proceedings and the possibility of disqualification and loss of medals:

Refusing to submit the horse for sampling when selected

Possession of a Banned Substance and

Tampering with any part of the sampling equipment and process.

As an athlete, you are strictly liable for any prohibited substance found in your system, regardless as to how it got there or whether you had any intention to cheat. This principle is called "strict liability". 

If you use a prohibited substance without having received a corresponding Therapeutic use Exemption (TUE), you will be liable if you test positive for the substance in question.

If you test positive, you will be disqualified and will lose your medals. In the case of a team competition, your team may be eliminated.

Depending on the anti-doping rule violation, consequences and sanctions may include: results disqualification, ineligibility and financial consequences. Consequences and sanctions will be made public.

If your horse tests positive, you will be disqualified and will lose your medals. In the case of a team competition, your team may be eliminated.

Depending on the anti-doping rule violation, consequences and sanctions may include: results disqualification, ineligibility and financial consequences. Consequences and sanctions will be made public.

Further information can be found in the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations.

Understand human anti-doping

Being aware your anti-doping obligations and learning key skills is essential in order to avoid mistakes that may lead to getting sanctioned:

Start by reading the information on the FEI’s website “Clean-Sport – Humans” hub.

Take an online anti-doping course. Please refer to this Guide’s “Online & on-site Education” section for details.

Run a medication check

With your team doctor’s help, review all existing or foreseen medical treatments against the Prohibited List.

Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for any prescribed treatment involving prohibited substances and /or methods.

If your medication check reveals that you are taking non-prescribed treatments containing prohibited substances, consult with your doctor for a non-prohibited alternative.

Make informed decisions on supplements

Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid using supplements as there is no way to know whether they contain undisclosed prohibited substances. For information on how to handle the risk posed by supplements please refer to the “Supplements” section in WADA’s e-learning “ADEL for International-Level Athletes” on the ADEL online educational platform or in the FEI’s e-learning “Human Anti-Doping” on the FEI Campus platform.

Work closely with your team veterinarian before and during the Championships. The lead up to the competition is an important time for ensuring your horse is free from prohibited substances.

If your horse needs to be treated in an emergency with a Controlled Medication shortly before the event, ensure a Veterinary Form A has been filled in and present it to a member of the Veterinary Commission when you arrive at the event.

Veterinary Forms need to be filled in should your horse need treatment and permission must be granted by the Veterinary Commission before your horse is treated.

Horses cannot be treated in their individual stable/box during the Championship. Treatment boxes must be used unless the Veterinary Commission has given you permission otherwise.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions – there are many people on hand to help and advice and information is available on the FEI Clean Sport website.

Elective testing for Controlled Medications is always available to you. Information on how to submit a sample can be found on Inside.FEI.org.

Here is a short video to give you an overview of the testing procedure.

Once notified for testing, you must report immediately to the Doping Control Station, unless you are granted a delay to do so. The following situations are considered as valid reasons for an athlete to request a delay to report to the doping control station:

Participation in a medal/prize giving ceremony.

Fulfilment of Media commitments.

Competing again in further competitions or completing a training session, such as the following situations:

In Jumping: the athlete qualifies for the jump-off and will compete again very soon (sometimes within the next few minutes). In this case, notification should take place after the second performance.

The athlete competes again in further competitions, or in the same competition on (a) different horse(s).

The athlete must perform or complete a training session (NB: training sessions are essential for the horse and are part of the schedule for the day. They cannot be skipped or moved to another time without causing disruption).

Performing a cool down (athletes may take their horse for a cool down in the training area following competition).

Receiving necessary medical treatment.

Locating a representative and/or interpreter.

Obtaining photo identification.

Making necessary arrangements for the care of the horse, including accompanying the horse in the stables or to the veterinary clinic.

Having to attend a horse inspection, including accompanying the horse to the veterinary clinic if necessary.

In Eventing, walk the Cross-Country course if there is no other possibility to do it at another time.

Take a shower under the following exceptional circumstances: need to clean a gaze due to injury (or as part of other medical treatment), if visibly dirty (e.g. covered in mud), or need to perform an official duty.

Any other exceptional circumstance which can be justified (and shall be documented by the chaperone), as determined by the doping control officer (DCO) taking into account any instructions provided by FEI.

Here is a short video to give you an overview of the testing procedure.

It is not necessary for the athlete to accompany the horse to the testing boxes. The athlete may ask any designated person to accompany the horse. e.g. groom, team veterinarian.

Once selected for testing the horse can be cooled down, untacked and washed off before being taken to the testing boxes.

Water can be brought to the testing boxes for your horse, but bringing feed or hay is not permitted.

In addition to reading the information available the FEI’s website “Clean-Sport – Humans” hub, we strongly recommend that athletes take part in one of the e-learnings listed below. Taking a course will help athletes develop the behaviours that will ensure compliance with the human anti-doping rules.

WADA’s e-learning “ADEL for International-Level Athletes” on the ADEL online educational platform.

FEI’s e-learning “Human Anti-Doping” on the FEI Campus platform.

Human anti-doping experts will be available on site, to offer information, advice and a  presentation for athletes and athlete support personnel.

Please make sure to attend the presentation and visit the educational booth! You will learn important information and your questions will be answered.

The FEI Clean Sport section provides comprehensive information. A section dedicated to equine prohibited substances can be found here.

Dr Göran Akerström, the FEI Veterinary Director, will be available throughout the event to offer information and advice.

If you have questions, please contact

Catherine Bollon, Athlete Services & Human Anti-Doping Advisor:

catherine.bollon@fei.org (+41 78 750 61 40)

If you have questions or need advice while on site:

Consult your team doctor in the first instance.

Representative from the FEI Legal Department will be on site and available for advice:

Áine Power, FEI Deputy Legal Director:

aine.power@fei.org (+ 41 78 750 61 55)

If you have questions, please contact Caterina Termine, FEI Senior Veterinary Advisor: caterina.termine@fei.org.

If you have any questions or need any advice while competing at the Championships, consult your team veterinarian in the first instance. Should you require further help, you and your team veterinarian can obtain advice from your discipline’s Veterinary Commission.

As previously indicated, Dr Göran Akerström, the FEI Veterinary Director, will also be available at each event for advice.

Doping & Medication Control Guide

(published 18 January 2023)

دليل تعاطي المنشطات والأدوية

(published 26 January 2023)