Progressive or Regressive?
FEI DRUGS IN SPORT
By Julia McLean

On Nov 19th 2009 the Fédération Equestrian International (FEI) General Assembly voted 53-48 to adopt a ‘progressive list’ of substances and threshold, or acceptable levels allowed during competition.  Most controversially, the list includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) – the most common of these being phenylbutazone (bute or PBZ).

It was anticipated that the 2009 General Assembly would endorse new regulations clearly separating ‘Doping’ substances from ‘Medications’, making identifying substances easier and bringing processes and sanctions more into line with the World Anti-doping Code (WADA).

However the new ‘progressive list’ was introduced at what many felt a late stage, preventing effective discussion and consultation and throwing up a reported surprise voting result. 

Outgoing Equestrian Australia (EA) President Franz Venhaus in his November newsletter reported that while all major European National Federations (NF) spoke strongly against the list, discussion was incomplete and lobbying and vote-trading among other nations supporting the progressive list led to the narrow vote margin, which was followed by condemnation on a global scale.

The Chairman of France Galop, Edouard de Rothschild said in his media release that rather than reducing cheating and protection, ways had been sought to introduce authorised medications.  Twenty years after introducing a blanket ban on PBZ from competition the FEI is authorising its use at much higher levels than before, as well as allowing two other similar substances.

UK magazine, Horse and Hound, reported FEI Vice President, Sven Holmburg, publicly slammed the decision, saying it “cuts the legs off the clean sport program” while declaring a 100% support for the clean sport initiative.

Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) said, “to allow the use of a painkilling drug called ‘bute’ for competition horses is a big step backwards”.
Use of bute in competition opens an array of avenues for abuse and issues pertaining to equine welfare. Lameness is an indicator of a physical problem causing pain. Will the long-term health of the horse be sacrificed for the short term gain, ie: a medal or a piece of satin, because the level of pain killer is considered legal?

While the WADA code authorises the human athlete to compete under the influence of medication, they have the option to rationalise and assess risks for themselves and above all can decide to stop competing when performance turns to unbearable suffering.

Masking pain in the equine athlete also has implications for the rider’s safety.  One high profile case is that of the two year old colt, Savage Cabbage, that in a barrier trial broke his leg and collapsed onto his jockey, Jason Oliver.  Oliver died the next day from head injuries.  The horse was found to have Phenylbutazone in his system and the trainer was suspended from racing for two years.  The inference is that the horse was being treated with pain-killers masking indicators, which upon closer examination may have prevented stressors on the horse - that may or may not have contributed to the accident. 
Australian racing authorities prohibit bute in racing and trials, and test strenuously in the interests of horse welfare.

National Federations had 30 days to override the Bureau’s decision but by November 30, 2009 just the British Equestrian Federation and US Equestrian Federation had forwarded statements: the BEF in opposition, USEF in support.  Both had requested postponing its implementation – thus the progressive list is slated to take effect on 5th April 2010.

The next FEI General Assembly will be 1-6 November 2010.

On the 12th January 2010 the FEI President HRH Princess Haya called on the FEI Executive Board to take a more active role in key matters facing equestrian sport in 2010. Following its first meeting of the year, which took place via conference call on 12th January, the FEI Bureau approved the President’s proposal, naming Chairman of Geographical Group II, Hanfried Haring (GER), and Chairman of Geographical Group VI, Pablo Mayorga (ARG), to the Executive Board, in addition to 1st Vice President Sven Holmberg (SWE) and 2nd Vice President Chris Hodson (NZL).

New EA President Paul Cargill has stated the current Australian position as, “We are seeking the science to come to a solution that ensures that the welfare of the horse is respected and the safety of the athletes is not compromised.  We will then make submissions and are confident that the ‘Progressive List’ as it stands is not introduced.  We will continue to rigorously enforce current rules in Australia”.

To reiterate, the new regulations are, at the time of press, expected to come into force in April 2010. Anyone wishing to express an opinion on the ruling should address their concerns to their State branch of Equestrian Australia.