Kürten comes out fighting
An A sample from the mare tested positive at La Baule, France, in May for an as-yet unknown substance and the B sample was tested last Tuesday at the LCH in Paris.
The FEI said yesterday that the results will be known today, but Kürten questioned the integrity of the testing procedure after her representative, University of Zurich academic Dr Laurent Bigler, was barred from witnessing the analysis.
Immediately, there followed a statement from the German-based Antrim woman, accompanied by a copy of a letter sent by her Swiss-based lawyer to the FEI expressing his outrage at what he claimed was a violation of his client’s rights.
The FEI, however, was far from being on the ropes on this occasion. It put up what seems to be a solid defence, pointing to article 7.1.3 (d) of its equine anti-doping and medication control rules, which the FEI says allows for Kürten or her nominated representative to be present only for the identification and opening of the B sample; not the analysis.
FEI deputy secretary general and general counsel Alexander McLin said: “It is understandable that an athlete or an athlete’s attorney may try to influence public opinion prior to receipt of final results in an attempt to discredit the process. However, such statements are often made prematurely or subjectively and do not ultimately influence the decisions of relevant hearing bodies who rightly assess evidentiary questions in their entirety.”
Kürten’s husband Eckard claims the substance found in Maike is a medication on the lower end of the FEI scale and, the Deusser case at the World Cup finals in Las Vegas, featuring as it does reserpine, also serves to highlight the problem facing Kürten: to convince people what was found in Maike is as remote from reserpine — a human anti-psychotic drug that can be used to produce a calming effect in equines — as my chances of featuring on the Irish show jumping team.
The federation scales drugs under three headings (in decreasing order of severity): doping, medication class B and medication class A. Those found in the first category are prohibited. End of story. However, with the welfare of the horse paramount, the FEI accepts that horses require veterinary treatment on occasion, with the consequent use of drugs that fall into the medication sphere.
* EVENTING riders have scheduled another meeting next Monday, as the fallout from the European Eventing Championships debacle continues to hang in the air.
The riders convened last Monday in Tattersalls, and, despite much discussion, felt it necessary to schedule another gathering, where they will be joined by event organisers.
A third interest group, the event horse owners, met separately last Tuesday and they may participate in next Monday’s meeting, which again takes place at Tattersalls.
It all points to a huge level of disenchantment in the sport, which erupted following the decision to send a team of only four riders to the championships, where just two completed the competition.
A previous meeting of the event organisers called for the resignation of Eventing Ireland chairman Neil Morris.
Twenty points were itemised by riders, who, according to Eventing Ireland, were assured their concerns would be brought to the next board of directors meeting, scheduled for next Thursday. However, riders still feel they have been denied a full explanation as to Eventing Ireland’s decision to support former performance manager Lars Christensson’s selection of a four-rider championship team. The Swede and Eventing Ireland rejected the option of selecting six riders, a move that without question backfired when Ireland were reduced to two riders.
With the riders still dissatisfied, they are said to be drawing up a plan of action to be put before Monday’s meeting. If ratified, it will give the Eventing Ireland directors much to discuss next Thursday.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
