Equine Doping – What FEI registered riders need to know

After all the controversy over the Prohibited List at the FEI General Assembly in November of last year, riders would be forgiven for being unclear as to what system now applies. This article is designed to update riders and their support staff.
 

The first thing to appreciate is that the existing system continues up and until 4 April this year – nothing changes until then, same rules and same Prohibited List.
 

From 5 April however things will change. There will be a new set of FEI Rules and a new Prohibited List. For the moment that list will set out that bute and the other NSAIDs are prohibited substances. That situation may change after the FEI GA in November when the issues will be debated in full and a decision taken so watch this space for updates.
 

Well first of all 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) in the new FEI Rules. This is linked to a change in the approach to the Prohibited List which is much more specific about what is prohibited so this should allow riders and their vets increased certainty and enable them to avoid mistakes.
 

All substances on the Prohibited List are now known as “Prohibited Substances” but this is then divided into two substance groups. Doping substances are now referred to as “Banned Substances” ie they should never be used and medication substances are referred to as “Controlled Medication Substances”.
 

It may be possible to obtain an Equine Therapeutic Use Exemption (“ETUE”) for a Controlled Medication Substance in advance of competing but an ETUE will never be given for a Banned Substance. Similarly there are no threshold levels for Banned Substances. Since Banned Substances are so serious they are also prohibited both at competition and out of competition and the FEI now has the power to test for them out of competition if it receives “intelligence” that they are being used. Vets and other support staff should also take note that being in possession of a Banned Substance is now a doping violation in itself unless they can demonstrate “compelling justification” for that possession.
 

If a Banned Substance is detected the rider will now as a matter of course be provisionally suspended from competing and it is also open to the FEI to suspend any Support Personnel and also the horse involved. Support Personnel (which would include vets, grooms, trainers etc) are now specifically named in the Rules which sends out a clear message that the FEI will in the future be focusing on them as well as the riders.
 

If found guilty of the doping violation the rider, and potentially also the horse, will be disqualified from the competition concerned and also possibly from the entire event. .The standard sanction on top of that is two years 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 the FEI, the National Federation or any international or national event organisation and support personnel can even be banned from attending events as spectators.
 

In contrast the medication control system concentrates very much on the welfare of the horse when competing.  So there is no out of competition testing, no sanction for possession of these substances by vets, grooms and other support personnel and no mandatory provisional suspension. A provisional suspension can only be imposed if the controlled medication substance is found in the horse during the course of a World Equestrian Games, the Olympics or Paralympics. In addition it is possible to apply for an  ETUE for a controlled medication substance prior to competing. The sanction for a first offence is up to two years ineligibility and the exact length will be determined by looking at a number of specified conditions.
 

A Medication Logbook must now be kept for each horse recording the date, substance and dosage of all treatments administered to the horse which involve a prohibited substance and details of the person who administered the treatment. This Logbook can be inspected by the FEI Tribunal if a violation of the Rules is alleged.
 

The FEI have set up a very useful Clean Sport website at http://www.feicleansport.org/

We suggest you take a good look at the website and, at a minimum, look at the Athletes Guide and download a copy of the new Prohibited List:

(http://www.feicleansport.org/ProhibitedSubstancesList_Jan2010.pdf).
 

You need to make sure that your vet, grooms and other support personnel become familiar with what is and is not banned so that you can ensure that you will be fully compliant from that date. You should also draw to their attention the increased likelihood of them being included in legal proceedings should a positive test occur.
 

You also need to start using a Medication Logbook. We have prepared a suggested format which can be downloaded by clicking here.