The New National Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication System

Why ? FEI requirement Increasingly litigious context London 2012

When ? Staggered introduction as MBs alter rules All on board by 1st January 2012

How ? Standard set of rules incorporated by reference in MB rules - “BEFAR” Single administration, Testing and Technical Committees, Hearing Body

What ? One set of rules split into 2 chapters to cover - doping - controlled medication System modelled closely on new FEI system

Equine Prohibited Substances List Banned Substances (“doping”) Controlled Medication Substances

Banned Substances Deemed to have no legitimate use in equine medicine and/or have a high potential for abuse, e.g. human antidepressants antipsychotics nervous system stimulants certain NSAIDs certain corticosteroids anabolic steroids

Controlled Medication Substances Your horse must be ‘clean’ at the time of competition Problems arise if your horse is on medication, or requires treatment prior to an event FEI List of Detection Times - previously known as the "medicine box” - defines known time periods after medications fall below detection levels (www.feicleansport.org/vets)

Person Responsible The Person Responsible is the competitor who rides, drives or vaults on the horse in an event He or she will be held accountable for any BEFAR regulation violation This is true even if he or she is using a borrowed horse

Strict Liability Principle The PR is strictly liable whenever a Prohibited Substance is found in a horse’s sample A violation occurs whether or not the PR used a prohibited substance intentionally or unintentionally knowingly or unknowingly was negligent or otherwise at fault It doesn’t matter whether or not the substance was performance-enhancing

Testing Regime: Selection of horses Selection may be: Obligatory (Championships) Selected Random Selection is decided by the Testing Committee

Testing Regime Urine and blood is preferred The horse is usually allowed up to one hour to produce a urine sample After collection of urine, or after one hour, a venous blood sample is obtained

NETUE National Equine Therapeutic Use Exemption Only available for Controlled Medication Substances Must declare substance on testing using Medication Form Apply for NETUE within 10 days N.B. No guarantee that application will be granted

Negative Results Negative results listed on the BEF website Samples are then disposed of (within 12 months)

Positive Results Positive results are reported to the BEF by the laboratory The BEF then investigates the integrity of the test The PR will then be notified

Consequence of Violation Disqualification from competition concerned, with forfeiture of medals, prizes and money – may be extended to subsequent events Suspension (ineligibility) Banned Substances: 2 years Controlled Medications: up to 2 years Fine Banned Substances: £3,000 Controlled Medications: up to £3,000 Costs

Fast Tracking If the sample is positive for a Controlled Medication, and it is the PR first violation, the PR will be offered the Administrative Procedure This means a fine of £750 and costs of £750 PR waives right to a Hearing PR and horse disqualified from the event in question but will not face any further suspension

Key Points for Athletes Be aware of the BEFAR Maintain a Log Book (advisable) Be very careful in the run up to competitions Do not hesitate to consult your vet