FEI Tribunal issues Consent Award in equine anti-doping case

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Quastina (FEI ID 107MC69/BRA), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CSI5*-W São Paulo SP (BRA), 22 - 27 August, 2023.

The athlete, Lucio Vinicius De Oliveira Osório (FEI ID 10080702/BRA), admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the athlete; the provisional suspension he already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. The athlete was also fined CHF 1,500.

The full Decision is available here.

FEI Tribunal issues final decision in equine anti-doping case

The FEI Tribunal has issued its final decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, a horse trained by Ignacio Flores (FEI ID 10017687/URU), tested positive for the Banned Substance Testosterone following samples taken at the CEIYJ1*100-Costa Azul (URU), 12-14 May 2023.

In its final decision the FEI Tribunal imposed two-year ineligibility period on the trainer; the provisional suspension he already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. He was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. The results obtained at the event were disqualified in the proceedings against the Person Responsible.

The full Decision is available here. 

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decision for failure to submit sample collection

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Final Decision under the FEI Equine Anti-Doping Rules Article 2.3 for Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit the horse to Sample Collection.

In this case, the athlete Ayedh Al Mughamer (FEI ID 10174065/KSA), failed to submit the horse Talaqah (FEI ID 108BA98/KSA), to the doping control station for a sample collection at the CEI1* 100 Riyadh (KSA), 10-11 February 2023. 

The horse was selected for a mandatory in-competition doping control test on 11 February following a positive hyposensitivity examination. The athlete refused the testing and left the event with the horse.  

In its final decision the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year ineligibility period on the athlete from the date of the decision, the provisional suspension served by the athlete will be credited against the period of ineligibility. The athlete was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. Lastly, the results of the horse and athlete combination from the event will be disqualified.

The full Decision is available here.

Separately, the FEI has notified an alleged Equine Anti-Doping Rule Violation under the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs). In this case, the athlete has been provisionally suspended until the decision of the FEI Tribunal and the horse has been provisionally suspended for two months.

ITA sanctions Sri Lankan equestrian athlete Mathilda Karlsson with a 19-month period of ineligibility for 3 whereabouts failures

THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) REPORTS THAT THE SRI LANKAN RIDER MATHILDA KARLSSON HAS BEEN SANCTIONED WITH A 19-MONTH PERIOD OF INELIGIBILITY AFTER MISSING THREE ANTI-DOPING CONTROLS WITHIN A TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD.

The ITA, on behalf of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), confirms that Mathilda Karlsson has been suspended for a 19-month period, effective until 14 January 2025 after committing three whereabouts failures within a twelve-month period as defined in article 2.4 of the FEI ADRHA.

The case was resolved via an agreement on consequences pursuant to article 8.3.1 of the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (FEI ADRHA), and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code.

The athlete qualified for a reduction of the otherwise two-year period ineligibility pursuant to article 10.3.2 of the FEI ADRHA which provides that the sanction can be reduced to a minimum of one year depending on the athlete’s degree of fault. The athlete’s results will be disqualified from 20 November 2022 until the start of the athlete’s provisional suspension on 15 June 2023.

The FEI Tribunal issues Final Decision in case involving a Prohibited Substance

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a case involving a Prohibited Substance.

In this case, the horse Chaman Ginn (FEI ID 106DF41/ARG), ridden by Juan Benitez Gallardo (FEI ID 10105043/ARG), at the CCI4*-S in Quillota (LTU) 8-12 December 2023, tested positive for the prohibited substance O-Desmethylvenlafaxine.

The athlete was able to trace the probable source of the Banned Substance in the horse’s system back to human cross-contamination caused by his support personnel, who urinated in the box of the horse while being on medication, which was very likely to account for the positive sample.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and the athlete, according to which the athlete had clearly established on a balance of probabilities, how the Banned Substance 0- Desmethylvenlafaxine entered the Horse’s system. Therefore, the period of ineligibility imposed on the athlete shall be eliminated. The athlete will also not incur any fines, however the results obtained at the event remain disqualified.

The full Decision is available here. 

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decisions in human anti-doping case

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a human anti-doping case.  

This case involves an adverse analytical finding for Hydrochlorothiazide and its metabolite, Chloraminophenamide, which are included in the category of class “S5 - Diuretics and Masking Agents” according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

A sample taken from the Argentinian athlete Fabian Sejanes (FEI ID 10001261) on 11 August 2022, during the FEI World Championships held in Herning, Denmark, from 5-14 August 2022, returned positive for the Prohibited Substance mentioned above. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 11 October 2022. 

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of 18-months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (27 October 2023). Additionally, the athlete was disqualified from all results obtained at the event as well as all other competitive results obtained by the athlete from the date of his sample collection were disqualified.  Finally, the athlete was fined CHF 3,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,500.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.

When Tradition meets Technology: Pivo joins FEI as Official Training Technology Partner

Pivo Inc., the Silicon Valley based company behind the AI powered smartphone mount for the creation of hands-free motion tracked videos, has become the Official FEI Training Technology Partner. 

The Pivo Pod, an AI-powered smartphone mount and performance tracking tool, has become the equipment of choice for many equestrians around the world looking to improve their riding skills. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, the mount works in tandem with a powerful application which can be downloaded for free on any smartphone.

"Today represents a significant milestone for Pivo, and we are pleased to join forces with the FEI, which shares our unwavering commitment to enriching the experience for equestrian enthusiasts worldwide," CEO of Pivo Ken Kim said.

"Pivo's journey has been an extraordinary one. We started with a versatile and fun product, which has now evolved into a specialised solution catering to a dedicated community who share a passion for equestrian as both a sport and a lifestyle at all levels.

“The equestrian community was quick to recognise Pivo’s potential and we were surprised and delighted when riders, both amateur and professional, embraced our technology. The community’s suggestions – provided through user-generated content on social media – were instrumental in shaping our specific line of Pivo products that now exists for equestrians.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and this collaborative spirit and dedication have been pivotal in shaping Pivo into the powerful tool it is today. Our mission now is to help 'make equestrians the best version of themselves,' and this collaboration with the FEI is a testament to the realisation of that vision.”

Pivo has already made significant inroads in major markets, including France, Germany, the UK, USA, and Australia, where riders have wholeheartedly embraced this transformative solution.

The AI-powered smartphone mount and accompanying software is designed to detect the horse and rider, and ensure that the rider stays perfectly centred in the frame. And while the Smart Capture function allows riders to take photos of themselves through voice commands, the Auto Zoom and Auto-Alignment features guarantee the capture of smooth and seamless training videos.

It is also possible to make video calls with the Horse Tracking function, so that coaches can offer real-time feedback through remote lessons.

"Our collaboration with Pivo is proof that tradition and technology can come together easily to enhance the equestrian experience," FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus affirmed.

"Pivo's commitment to providing riders with exceptional tools for improving sporting performances, while ensuring accessibility for every equestrian enthusiast, has added unique value to our industry.

“Over the years, Pivo has seamlessly integrated into the equestrian lifestyle, and has earned the trust and respect of equestrians around the world for the user-friendliness and adaptability of its products. As a company, Pivo has demonstrated a great deal of authenticity in its development style and a talent for simply listening.   

"The nature of commercial partnerships is changing, and the economic environment we are currently operating in requires a great deal of adaptability and flexibility. We are proud to be partnering with a company that is truly in tune with our community, has their ear to the ground with regards to what equestrians need and want, and is willing to take the necessary creative risks to be a game changer for our sport.”

With a passionate team of approximately 30 developers, Pivo is now looking forward to collaborating further with a broader cross section of the equestrian community, to seek insights to drive the development of their products.

From a development and growth perspective, Pivo is also considering ways to expand their team by welcoming skilled technicians with first-hand equestrian experience to steer the course of future innovations.