Swedes recommend 96-hour withdrawal period for Capsaicin
This comes as the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) tightened its definition of the substance, saying it will in future be considered purely a doping offence and, as such carrying heavy sanction.
Heretofore, capsaicin fell under the heading of a medication. The substance, derived from chilli pepper, came into the spotlight when the horses of five riders — including Denis Lynch — tested positive for it at the Olympics.
The Swedish federation’s veterinary expert Peter Kallings yesterday said: “Capsaicin is now forbidden and regarded as a doping offence (and will have a withdrawal time of 96 hours, effective from the 1st of January 2009).”
The 96-hour withdrawal period is certain to cause confusion and it would be a brave rider who would test the Swedish federation’s assertion.
At the heart of the matter is the ability of the lab to test for minute quantities and, since the FEI does not release such information, it is difficult to calculate withdrawal periods.
On top of that, it is not an exact science: horses are animals, not machines, with each having a different metabolism and many variables affecting that metabolism.
Also, there is the testing capability of each lab. Up until the Olympics, no horse had ever tested positive for capsaicin. That was not surprising, as only the Hong Kong lab could do so.
Will the FEI’s preferred lab in Paris be capable of testing to a similar degree?
What made capsaicin particularly controversial was the FEI suggestion that it was being used on the legs of horses as a hypersensitising agent, thus causing the animals to work harder at avoid hitting a fence.
However, Lynch said he used Equiblock — of which capsaicin is a component — on Lantinus’s back to warm the muscles. Also, the legs of Lantinus were examined a number of times and nothing untoward was found, hence Lynch were sanctioned for a medication violation and received relatively lenient sentences.
Lynch’s three-month suspension ended last week and he lined out in Maastricht.
Yesterday, he said: “The 96-hour withdrawal period does not make sense. To what degree do they test, that is the question?”
This weekend, it is the five-star show in Brussels for the Tipperary rider, though Lantinus has yet to return to the competition field.
“I am hoping to get an invite to the World Cup show in Geneva in a fortnight. If I do, I will use Munich next weekend as a warm-up. Otherwise, you are talking about next year before we will see Lantinus out.”
The gelding’s owner, Swiss millionaire Thomas Straumann, dipped into his pocket again recently to purchase Abberuail Van Het Dingeshof, for Lynch. The horse is a former ride of Belgium’s Jos Lansink.
“The name translates as ‘big jumper’, Lynch joked. “He is one of the best young horses I’ve ever had, with scope, ability and a good brain. He is an eight-year-old gelding, Belgian-bred and is over 18hh. I may start him in Munich.”
* THE organiser of last Saturday’s greyhound racing night fundraiser, Jerry Sweetnam, said he is as satisfied as he could be with the venture and is already planning how the money can be spent in Munster next year.
“I was delighted with the turnout. It was well supported and a great night’s fun. It is too early to give a definitive figure as to how much we raised, but it will be shy of last year.
“I am disappointed, but not surprised at this, given the current economic climate. Last year, we raised €27,000. This year, we will definitely top €20,000.”
Money raised from last year’s inaugural dog night supported three leagues in Munster.
“Having reviewed this year’s leagues, we will come up with a plan for 2009 that will maximise the value of the money for members.”
* JESSICA KÜRTEN’S World Cup famine continued in Stuttgart last weekend, when she was forced to retire in round one with Quibell.
The Antrim woman had given indication she would notch up her first points in three outings when winning the qualifier for Friday’s masters class with the 14-year-old mare.
She followed this with a solid performance in the masters final, finishing sixth on Castle Forbes Cosma.
However, her third World Cup outing this season proved to be forgettable, as she pulled up with Quibell.
* CIAN O'CONNOR finished fifth in a two-phase class at the five-star show in Brussels last night, riding Complete. The Meath-based rider was just under nine tenths of a second behind winner Ludo Philippaerts (Tauber VH Kapelhof).
Earlier, Swiss-based Damien Dixon rode Joy’s Mouche to victory in a 1.45m class in the two-star section.
* NEGOTIATIONS between Horse Sport Ireland and Robert Splaine on a new contract for the Ireland show jumping team manager are said to be ongoing The Corkman’s tenure is due to end at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, at yesterday’s monthly board meeting of HSI it was decided that associations representing polo and polocrosse are to become HSI affiliates. The next board meeting takes place in January.
* CIAN O’CONNOR captured the ShowjumpingIreland Autumn Grand Prix League last Sunday, the icing on the cake coming with victory in the final leg at Kill Equestrian Centre.
The 29-year-old rider only had to finish in the top six, but left no doubt when victorious with Markopoulo. Copper-fastening his claim to the title was that he placed first or second in each of the five rounds he contested.
Of course, his horsepower was also a factor; aside from Marlopoulo, O’Connor was able to call on Baloufina and Irish Independent Echo Beach, on which he placed third last Sunday.
Lucy Buchanan finished runner-up to O’Connor, who also had a part to play in the Young Riders’ League with his student Raphael Goehrs securing the €1,000 winner’s cheque.
Goehrs second place in the final with Mistral De Ravalet coupled with his win in the penultimate round gave him 22 points. Winner of the final was Limerick man Mark Kinsella, gaining 15 points, to see him finish runner-up in the league and yes, you guessed it, he too is an O’Connor protégé.
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