FEI: Drug testers will target endurance horses

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor

27 November, 2012

Endurance is to fall under increased anti-doping scrutiny next year.

But the independent integrity unit that oversees the drug testing of elite competition horses says the move reflects the expansion of the sport rather than a recent spate of failed drugs tests in endurance.

In the year to November, horse sport’s international governing body, the FEI, had investigated 15 doping cases, eight of them involving endurance riders, seven of which were from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

There are a further 10 cases pending investigation — nine of which are in endurance.

Paul Greenwood, the manager of the equestrian community integrity unit, said: “Endurance has grown so much in the past year and is now just behind jumping [in terms of number of events].

“We have focused on jumping in past years and now we want to increase our profile in the endurance world.”

FEI director of non-Olympic sports Ian Williams confirmed that the FEI would be paying special attention to Africa and the Middle East...

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