Members need to be aware that a new National equine anti-doping and controlled medication system will come into force for all FEI equestrian sports over the course of this year.

In the case of the British Showjumping it will be effective from 1^st April 2011 . The new system, which is a requirement of our affiliation to the FEI, will apply to all affiliated members of British Showjumping at every level.  Since the system closely mirrors the FEI system it should be relatively familiar to internationally registered members. However, those who do not compete internationally will need to take on board some new concepts.
 

The first thing to appreciate is that the existing system continues up to and including31st March 2011 this year – nothing changes until then; same rules, same procedures.  From 1^st April 2011 things will change; there will be a new set of cross–discipline BEF Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rules (“BEFAR”) and a new Prohibited List which will replicate the FEI List for adherence at National level.
 

Under the new system, doping (which falls under the World Anti-Doping Code in the same way as doping in humans) is separated out from medication control (which is there for welfare reasons). This is linked to a change in the approach to the Prohibited List which is now very specific about what is prohibited, and thus allowing riders and their vets to have increased certainty and enable them to avoid mistakes.

All substances on the Prohibited List are known as “Prohibited Substances” but this is sub-divided into two substance groups: Doping substances which are now referred to as “Banned Substances” i.e. they should never be used in the horse; and legitimate equine medication substances which are referred to as “Controlled Medication Substances”.
 

It may be possible to obtain a National Equine Therapeutic Use Exemption (“NETUE”) for a Controlled Medication Substance in advance of competing, but an NETUE will never be given for a Banned Substance. Similarly there are no threshold levels for Banned Substances.

 

If found guilty of a doping violation, the rider, and potentially also the horse, will be disqualified from the competition concerned and maybe even from the entire event. The standard sanction in addition to that is a two year suspension, plus a fine and potential legal costs. This standard sanction can only be reduced if specific mitigating conditions can be met – this very much reflects the human doping system of imposing standard sanctions. During suspension the rider cannot compete internationally or nationally, or be involved in any way in any activity organised by British Showjumping, any other BEF discipline, the FEI, the National Federation or any international or national event organisation.

In contrast the Medication Control system concentrates very much on the welfare of the horse when competing. Unlike a Banned Substance it is possible to apply for an NETUE for a Controlled Medication Substance if tested. The sanction for a first offence is up to two years ineligibility; the exact length will be determined by looking at a number of specified conditions.
 

BEFAR recommends that a Medication Logbook should be kept for each horse, recording the date, substance and dosage of all treatments administered to the horse which involve a prohibited substance (Controlled Medication Substances) along with details of the person who administered the treatment.

 

The BEF have set up a very useful Clean Sport section on their website which you can find by clicking on the link below where you will be able to download the relevant forms, guides and handbooks necessary.

http://www.bef.co.uk/Information_for_Competitors/National_Equine_Anti_Doping_&_Controlled_Medication.html

We suggest you take a good look at the website and, at a minimum, read the Athlete’s Guide and download a copy of the new Prohibited List.
You need to make sure that your vet, grooms and other support personnel become familiar with what is and is not on the Prohibited List so that you can ensure that you will be fully compliant from 1^st April 2011.
 

If you have any questions, you should direct them to British Showjumping Sport Team in the first instance.