Compiegne Horse Death Case Closed; Transparency in Question

September 8 2014
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

Following the Open Letter to Endurance by French veterinarians, Doctors Pelissier, Seguin, Benamou-Smith, Romantzoff, and Leclerc, concerning high speeds, "tired over-run horses in the vetgates", high number of treatments required, attempts to "cheat systematically" by some competitors, and in particular the death of one mare at the May 2014 Compiegne endurance races, this group of veterinarians has responded to the FEI's investigation into the horse's death.

Of the mare Elmerita di Gallura's death FEI concluded, "results from the anti-doping test are negative and the post-mortem examination did not explain the cause of death."

Veterinarians Benamou-Smith, Pelissier, Romantzoff, and Sequin express strong objection to this apparent dismissal of the incident, and do not accept that the FEI, "whose self-professed mission is to lead an enquiry into the death of a competing horse, produces such a statement. In order to show a real transparency (the key factor in 'clean sport') in ethics and sports, the complete scientific results of these tests, which are known to the FEI since June, should to [sic] be published."

The veterinarians can't help but draw a parallel to another horse in the 2012 Florac race, which "died in very strange clinical circumstances. The horse was sampled post-mortem at the venue. No less than 21 controlled substances were identified by the french MCP (medication control program) laboratory LCH." However, the veterinarians are still waiting for the FEI to release the results of these samples from 2 years ago.

Another mare from the same stables as Elmerita di Gallura was also treated at the May Compiegne ride and received invasive treatment because she was metabolically compromised. In such cases, FEI has instituted mandatory rest periods for the safety and well-being of the horses; and in this case, the mare was entered to race in Italy 17 days later, without being blocked by FEI, "which defies official mandatory rest periods and common sense."

While FEI has publicly expressed their intention and campaign to fight doping, and to have a "clean sport," these incidences continue to show the great distance between expressed intent and execution, and the reputation of the sport of endurance suffers while the horses continue to pay the price.

The French veterinarians insist that the FEI live up to their "transparency" goals. "Although the intention expressed by the FEI to fight doping has never seemed stronger, we still have the feeling that actions are not yet sufficient to attain the declared objectives."

See the complete letter here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013FEIControversy/Lettre_Compiegne2.pdf

Malaysian teen riding high

Thestar.com.my - Full Article

September 7 2014
BY LIM AI LEE

PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian teenager has made his mark as one of the world’s top riders at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, dubbed as the planet’s most prestigious international equestrian event.

Mohd T. Aseef Abdul Mutalib, 17, who is the youngest competitor among riders from 72 nations, successfully completed the Endurance category where he clinched 27th position in the Games held in Normandy, France.

The Games, which began on Aug 23 and ends today, attracted almost 1,000 of the world’s best riders and unite the world championships of seven disciplines governed by the International Equestrian Fede­ration (FEI) – Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

It was a proud moment for the Malaysian team when Aseef, wearing his riding gear and helmet in Jalur Gemilang colours, waved the national flag from his horse, Eladina Kungfu after completing the 160km ride in just over 10 hours on Aug 23...

Read more here:
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/09/07/Malaysian-teen-riding-high-17yearold-is-one-of-the-top-riders-at-the-world-equestrian-championship/

Full credit to Normandy for a job well done

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

World Endurance Games delivers on all counts

By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer
Published: 18:22 September 6, 2014

I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to go to the World Equestrian Games, which are taking place in the scenic city of Normandy, France. I would say it was a once in a lifetime kind of experience for me.

Most of my career I’ve been covering the flat — Derby’s, Breeders’ Cups, Arcs — that sort of thing, but this experience was so different.

The World Equestrian Games are all encompassing. It gives you a totally different kind of buzz. Although I do not wish to sound clichéd, I think that they totally deserve to be referred to as the ‘horse’ Olympics. The time that I spent watching the dressage, eventing, vaulting or endurance riding, put a lot into perspective for me in the way that I was already looking forward to my next equestrian event.

The 160km endurance ride would have to be one of the highlights of the Games, considering that it was won in exemplary fashion by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Perhaps not too many people have a complete understanding of endurance, which has to be one of the toughest challenges in sport. It’s not just about strength and stamina, of horse and rider; it goes way beyond what the mind can comprehend. Mostly it’s about trust and friendship...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/full-credit-to-normandy-for-a-job-well-done-1.1381457

France face disqualification from Rio 2016 eventing after horse fails test

Insidethegames.biz - Full Article

Friday, 05 September 2014
By Gary Anderson

Qalao de Mers, ridden by Frenchman Maxime Livio has tested positive for a banned medical substance in Normandy and could miss out on Rio 2016 ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe French eventing team faces the prospect of being thrown out of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after Qalao de Mers, ridden by Maxime Livio, tested positive for a banned medical substance at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has confirmed the horse, part of the French team that finished fourth in the team eventing competition ensuring qualification for Rio 2016, tested positive for the controlled medication substance acepromazine, banned during competition.

The sedative was found after a sample was taken from Qalao de Mers last Friday (August 29), who also partnered Livio to fifth in the individual competition.

The case is now set to go before an FEI Tribunal - on a date yet to be announced - but if found guilty then the French team and Maxime Livio will be disqualified from the World Equestrian Games and will also be banned from competing at Rio 2016.

The FEI also revealed a second horse tested positive for a prohibited medical substance on August 28.

Tra Flama, ridden by South African Giliese de Villiers in the endurance competition, returned a positive reading for phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone...

Read more here:
http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/equestrian/1022390-france-face-disqualification-from-rio-2016-eventing-competition-after-controlled-substance-found-at-world-equestrian-games

FEI announces two Controlled Medication cases at World Equestrian Games

FEI.org

5 Sep 2014

The FEI has announced that two horses competing at the FEI World Equestrian Games have tested positive for Controlled Medication substances. Controlled Medications are substances that are regularly used to treat horses but which are not allowed in competition in order to maintain a level playing field.

Samples taken on 28 August from the horse Tra Flama (FEI ID 103QH09), ridden in Endurance by Giliese de Villiers (Republic of South Africa), have returned positive for the Controlled Medication substance Phenylbutazone and its metabolite Oxyphenbutazone. Phenylbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory used for the treatment of pain. Tra Flama was vetted out at the second Vet Gate on the Endurance course.

Samples taken on 29 August from the horse Qalao des Mers (FEI ID 103MQ19), ridden in Eventing by Maxime Livio (France), have returned positive for the Controlled Medication substance Acepromazine. Acepromazine is a sedative. Qalao des Mers finished fifth individually and was a member of the fourth-placed French team.

“It is the first duty of a regulator to ensure clean sport and a level playing field and we do this by conducting an ongoing and very comprehensive testing programme,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said.

“We had clean World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Kentucky and at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. Our system works and sends out a strong message to our athletes and their entourage that clean sport is our absolute top priority.

“We carried out an intensive awareness campaign prior to the Games and also offered pre-arrival testing to all participants, so it is very disappointing that we have two positives for Controlled Medication substances at the Games, especially when it is well known and well accepted that both these substances are not permitted in competition. Although these are Controlled Medication not doping substances, we take this very seriously.”

The FEI has confirmed that all equine samples taken in the first week of the Games in the disciplines of Dressage, Para-Dressage and Reining are negative, and that there are no other positives in Endurance and Eventing.

A total of 137 horses were tested in the first week of the Games – 49 in Endurance (28% of 173 starters), 24 in Eventing (26% of 91 starters), 22 in Dressage (22% of 100 starters), 21 in Reining (26% of 82 starters) and 21 in Para-Equestrian Dressage (21% of 100 starters).

In addition to random testing, the FEI conducts compulsory testing of all individual medal winners at the World Equestrian Games, and at least one horse from each of the medal winning teams. To ensure the integrity of all processes, representatives of the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit, including Chairman Lord Stevens, have been on-site throughout the Games.

The above Controlled Medication positives will not result in an automatic provisional suspension, but will go before the FEI Tribunal after the Games at a date to be agreed between all parties. World Equestrian Games cases are not eligible for the FEI administrative (fast-track) procedure.

As at the Olympic Games, a positive result for a team member can result in the disqualification of the whole team. In the Qalao des Mers case, this could mean disqualification of the French Eventing team and loss of Olympic qualification for Rio 2016. It is the role of the FEI Tribunal to rule on what sanctions apply.

As part of its Clean Sport campaign, the FEI offered all National Federations the opportunity to have a full screen Pre-Arrival Testing for horses from 21 July until two weeks’ prior to arrival at the Games. Additionally, elective testing for specific Controlled Medication substances was also offered close to the event.

All equine samples taken prior to and during the Games are tested at the FEI Approved Laboratory in Paris (FRA). Testing is conducted at the Laboratory using a bar-coded system, which guarantees anonymity.

Australia: More than 175 horse riders in Clifton endurance event

Warwickdailynews.com.au - Full Article

5th Sep 2014

MORE than 175 horse riders, including international riders, will be at Clifton Recreational Grounds from midnight for the Queensland Endurance Riders Association State Championships.

This will be the first time the event has been held at Clifton, as it is held at a different venue each year.

There will be four different rides: the 160km main event, which begins at midnight, a 123km ride starting at 2am, a 100km ride beginning at 4am, and a training ride at 6am, which will be 40km...

Read more here:
http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/rider-in-for-long-haul-at-clifton/2376347/

Six candidates declare for FEI Presidential election

FEI.org

2 Sep 2014

Representatives of six National Federations have submitted applications for the position of FEI President.

The candidates, in order of receipt of the candidacy files by the FEI, are:

- Pierre Genecand (SUI)
- Ulf Helgstrand (DEN)
- John McEwen (GBR)
- Javier Revuelta del Peral (ESP)
- Pierre Durand (FRA)
- Ingmar De Vos (BEL)

The presidential election will take place on 14 December at the FEI General Assembly in Baku (AZE). Current President, HRH Princess Haya, confirmed last month that she would not stand for a third term.

The application process began on 14 May, with candidates requested to send the FEI a curriculum vitae form, signed by the candidate’s National Federation, and a motivation letter. The deadline for submission of candidacies for the position of FEI President was 23.59 CEST on 1 September 2014.

Brief biographical information on the candidates follows.

Pierre Genecand, 64, is proposed by the Swiss Equestrian Federation. A businessman, banker and insurance broker by profession, Genecand served as president of the Geneva International Horse Show from 1989 to 2003. He has been a member of the board of the World Cup of Horsemanship, the Alliance of Jumping Organisers, and the Committee of Swiss Top Sports. He is the current president of the Polo Club Gstaad and the Hublot Polo Gold Club.

Ulf Helgstrand, 63, is proposed by the Danish Equestrian Federation. A medical doctor by profession, Helgstrand is a professor of vascular surgery. He has served as President of the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003. He was board member and Vice President of the Danish Warmblood Association for 10 years and currently serves as Vice President and charter member of the European Equestrian Federation. Helgstrand is a former Dressage rider and has run a stud with several approved Dressage stallions since 1991.

John McEwen, 69, is proposed by the British Equestrian Federation. A qualified veterinary surgeon with wide international experience, McEwen served as veterinary surgeon to the British Show Jumping and Dressage Teams until the London 2012 Olympic Games. He was vice chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee from 1999 to 2003 and has been the Committee’s chair since 2006. He currently chairs the FEI Prohibited Substances List and Laboratory Groups. McEwen has served on an advisory panel for World Horse Welfare for more than 15 years. He represents the FEI at the World Organisation for Animal Health specialising in horse transport issues and on the International Sports Horse Federation. McEwen was appointed FEI 1st Vice President in 2010.

Javier Revuelta del Peral, 57, is proposed by the Spanish Equestrian Federation. Revuelta is a lawyer and attorney at law for the Spanish government. He has held senior management positions at various Spanish and international companies in the telecommunications, media, food, financial, and renewable energy industries. Revuelta has competed nationally and internationally in Eventing and Jumping. He participated in the Eventing competition in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, was a member of the Spanish Eventing team at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 1994 and at the FEI European Championships the following year. Since 2005 Revuelta has served as the chairman of the Spanish Equestrian Federation and is a member of the Spanish Olympic Committee. He breeds and owns racehorses.

Pierre Durand, 59, is proposed by the French Equestrian Federation. Durand holds a degree in business law, is a former professional rider and wine grower. He was Olympic Jumping champion at the 1988 Seoul Games with the 13-year old gelding Jappeloup. He also competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and became European Jumping champion in 1987. He won many other international and national titles. From 1993 to 1998 Durand was President of the French Equestrian Federation. He has held various executive positions in the media industry and is currently chairman of the board of directors of the French National Institute for Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP).

Ingmar De Vos, 51, is proposed by the Belgian Equestrian Federation. De Vos holds degrees in political science, business administration and international and European law and started his career as an advisor to the Belgian Senate. He joined the Belgian Equestrian Federation as managing director in 1990, and held the additional role of Secretary General from 1997 to 2011. He was Secretary General of the European Equestrian Federation from 2010, the year the organisation was formed, until 2011. During his time at the Belgian National Federation, De Vos was chef de mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all FEI World Equestrian Games™ from 1990 to 2010 and at several Olympic Games. De Vos has been FEI Secretary General since May 2011.



Notes to Editors:

The election process for the FEI President is detailed under Article 24 of the FEI Statutes. The relevant articles are detailed below:

24.2 The President shall be elected by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast. Abstentions are not counted as cast votes. In the event multiple Ballots are necessary under Article 24.4, a Simple Majority shall be sufficient for Election on the third Ballot, or on the second if only two (2) Candidates remain.

24.4 When there are multiple Candidates and none receives the necessary majority, the Candidate with the least number of votes received shall be removed from the list of Candidates and another Ballot shall be held. This procedure shall be repeated until a Candidate receives the necessary majority.