Positive test for Irish horse

A horse ridden by an Irish show jumper is believed to have tested positive for a prohibited substance earlier this year.

According to well-placed sources, the horse was being competed in the North. The infringement is said to be at the lower end of the scale and one source said an appeal by the rider was rejected.

It is thought to be the only case to have occurred this year.

In a statement, Horse Sport Ireland said its policy is “to publish the details of any violations of its controlled medication and anti-doping rules once due process had been completed and all appropriate parties and the board of Horse Sport Ireland have been informed”. It added that its next board meeting would be on November 1.

On April 1, HSI introduced national anti-doping rules for all equestrian disciplines based on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) two-strand model, covering controlled medications and banned substances. The former are legitimate equine medications, but which are not allowed in competition, while the latter are deemed to have no legitimate use in horses.

Meanwhile, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Cork show jumper Shane Sweetnam was named the leading rider, placing third in the World Cup class with Amaretto D’Arco, while also notching up two victories.

In Helsinki, Finland, Denis Lynch rode Contifex to third in the grand prix, but, along with Dermott Lennon, made no impact in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier.

In Caen, France, Cian O’Connor and his Olympic mount Blue Loyd finished fourth in the grand prix, while in ’s-Gravenwezel, Belgium, Gerard Clarke and Ardragh Stein won the two-star grand prix.

Daniel Coyle claimed the GAIN/Alltech grand prix in Cavan with Uptown Girl.