Now Michael Whitaker suspended over dope test
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 08:24
Four-time Olympian, Britain’s leading showjumper Michael Whitaker has been suspended by the FEI after his horse Tackeray failed a drugs test.
Whitaker has been provisionally banned after Tackeray tested positive in competition in France last month. Traces of the hormone altrenogest, which is found in Regumate given to in-season mares, were found in a sample taken from Mr Whitaker's stallion Tackeray at La Baule, on 14 May.
He has requested a B sample analysis and a hearing before an International Equestrian Federation (FEI) tribunal. A date for the tribunal has not yet been set.
An FEI statement reads: "The FEI can confirm that the A sample taken from the horse Tackeray ridden by Michael Whitaker at CSIO5*, in La Baule, France on 14 May 2009 tested positive for the Prohibited Substance Altrenogest, which is classified as "doping" under the equine anti-doping and medication control rules.
"Consistent with FEI rules, the rider was provisionally suspended from competition. Mr Whitaker challenged the provisional suspension at a preliminary hearing before the Preliminary Hearing Panel member.
"The provisional suspension of Mr. Whitaker was maintained by the preliminary hearing Panel member and Mr. Whitaker therefore remains provisionally suspended.
"Mr Whitaker has requested a B Sample confirmatory analysis and a full hearing before the FEI Tribunal."
Whitaker had been due to jump at the Global Champions show at Monte Carlo over the weekend but after a preliminary FEI hearing on Friday he withdrew. He also missed the Hickstead Derby over the weekend.
A ban on Whitaker would mean he will miss the European Championships in August.
Whitaker has reportedly said that there was a mix-up with a feed that was meant for his top mare, Portofino.
Equestrian sport has been plagued with doping allegations recently, across several discplines. Two endurance riding members of FEI president Princess Haya's family are under investigation; last month the German Equestrian Federation disbanded its top-level teams after doping allegations; and last week dressage rider Isabell Werth was also suspended. At the Olympics last year six riders were suspended following positive tests.
