FEI Tribunal issues a Consent Award, a Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case and a Final Decision in a Breach of Suspension case

Media updates
03 November 2022 Author: FEI

The FEI Tribunal issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance and a Controlled Medication.

In this case, the horse Azibo de Moran (FEI ID 107UB68/ESP), tested positive for the Banned Substance Reserpine and the Controlled Medication Altrenogest, following samples taken at the CDIYH, Segovia (ESP) 07-10 July 2022.

The athlete, Maria De Las Mercedes Gonzalez Abad (FEI ID 10139475)/ESP), admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the athlete; the provisional suspension she already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. She was also fined CHF 500.

The full Decision is available here.

In the second case the FEI Tribunal issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

The horse Fine Cut Gold (FEI ID 106HE48/CAN), ridden by Alex Shampoe (FEI ID 10143173/USA) and trained by Valerie Kanavy (FEI ID 10014017/USA) tested positive for the Banned Substance Capsaicin, following samples taken at the CEIYJ3* 160, Shamong NJ (USA), on 2 October 2021. 

The trainer admitted unknowingly using a roll on cream containing Capsaicin. She explained that she usually uses the tube form of this cream, which does not contain any prohibited substances.   

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed an ineligibility period of 12-months on both the athlete and the trainer starting from the date of the Final Decision. The provisional suspension of each, which came into effect on 3 November 2021, has been credited against the ineligibility period, meaning both are eligible to compete and officiate again as of 3 November 2022. In addition, the athlete was fined CHF 1,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 750. The trainer was fined CHF 3,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,500.

The full Decision is available here

The FEI Tribunal issued a second Final Decision, this time in a case involving the violation of a suspension.

Mr Hicham Gharib (FEI ID 10033790/SYR) was imposed a one-year suspension by the FEI Tribunal for Incorrect Behaviour in relation to Abuse of Horse. The suspension came into effect on 2 February 2002 and lasts until 1 February 2023.

It was brought to the FEI’s attention that Mr Gharib might not be complying with the terms of his suspension. Following an investigation the FEI decided to open new disciplinary proceedings against him based on his alleged violation which, among others include having taken part in events under a false name.

The FEI Tribunal ruled that Mr Gharib had violated his suspension. Consequently, will be suspended for an additional period of one year, meaning that he will be ineligible until 31 January 2024. He was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay the costs of CHF 2,000.  

The full Decision is available here.

 

Separately, the FEI has announced new adverse analytical findings (AAF) involving equine Prohibited Substances. The cases involve *Banned Substance under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs).

In the following Endurance case, the athlete has been provisionally suspended until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision. The horse has been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification.

Case: 2022/BS07

Horse: Eryn (FEI ID 105SX59/SUI)

Person Responsible: Melania Vanina (FEI ID 10160936/SUI)

Event: CEI1*100 - Oberstammheim (SUI) 20 August 2022

Date of sample collection: 20 August 2022

Prohibited Substance(s): Flufenamic acid

Date of notification: 26 September 2022

Details on this case can be found here.

In the following Jumping case, the athlete has been provisionally suspended until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision. The horse has been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification.

Case: 2022/BS08

Horse: Meadowvale Cruise (FEI ID 106CQ68/USA)

Person Responsible: Hector Florentino Roca (FEI ID 10009161/DOM)

Event: Bolivarian Games-S-Bogotá (COL), 24 June to 05 July 2022

Date of sample collection: 2 July 2022

Prohibited Substance(s): Testosterone

Date of notification: 13 October 2022

Details on this case can be found here.

Notes to Editors:

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.

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.

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