Eventing News and Notes: November 2009 Archives

The USEF released a statement today in support of the FEI's decision to allow bute and other NSAID's at competitions.

If this is your first time checking back with us after the Thanksgiving break, thanks for coming and I hope you had a good holiday.  Please make sure you check out our posts about a possible European boycott of the WEGs and Princess Haya's response.  TheHorse.com just posted her full letter.  Also, this is USEA convention week, so get hyped for Eventing Nation's invasion coverage of the convention.  Now, for some Monday news and notes...

"...In equestrian sport, the predominant argument in recent years justifying a complete ban on the use of these substances close to competition has been that the horse cannot choose for itself, and that therefore only such an approach can guarantee horse welfare. There are, however, arguments that, just as in human athletes, the use of NSAIDs is acceptable to the extent it does not exceed certain levels (in humans, there is no limit), and is in fact more humane as it allows for very basic treatment close to competition that could be required to treat, for example, simple travel related stiffness. There is also the argument that the banning of such substances is unrealistic as, since these are arguably a necessity, a ban creates a situation that does not allow for legitimate treatment by penalizing it...

The levels were advised by experienced national team veterinarians, including those of the US and German Teams. The intention is to allow a single subclinical treatment up to 12 hours before competition that would achieve a mild anti-inflammatory effect. The initial 8 μg/ml allowed is a safety margin, however the intent under new regulations is to ensure that the treatment only takes place in supervised areas and with the oversight of the Veterinary delegate."  

Read more (click and scroll down).  Princess Haya's website.  The plot thickens...

"...the FEI seems to be a power that has underestimated the European equestrian nations.  In the event of a secession from the Games of European federations - from which the FEI not only benefits but lives - the World Equestrian Games organizers and sponsors would not be able to stem the tide. The Europeans will not support the decision against a clear "no" to drugs.

The German President made no secret that a boycott of the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky next year has already been mentioned. He said the reasons of our own European Union would be the ultimate consequence.  Negotiations with the German television stations were affected. In any case, it is currently top priority to try to continue with the FEI.

"We cannot help but be united," explains the President, of the German position, "all the tournament organizers are behind us."  These developments were first brought to our attention by Fran Jurga of the Jurga Report.

"The [pre-2004] thresholds for salicylates were 750 µg/ml in urine and 6.5 µg/ml in plasma. Experiences in testing had indicated that abuse of salicylates was possible, obtaining a clinical effect in the horse by administration of low doses without exceeding the threshold....an extensive study in 650 samples for the salicylate content and a subsequent bio-statistical analysis of the results indicated that a decrease of the threshold was possible, thereby making abuse of the substance more difficult".  Read more

We recently reported that Sheryl Crow had contacted the Obama administration about halting the relocation of wild mustangs but the Bureau of Land Management.  The plot thickens as more celebrities join the fray, and as advocated for the mustangs have sued the US Government: "In a complaint filed Nov. 23 in Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., international animal welfare agency In Defense of Animals and Nevada ecologist Craig Downer allege that the BLM's use of helicopters during roundups cause trauma, injury, or death to some wild horses. They seek a permanent halt to gathers from the Calico Complex range." More from TheHorse.com.  For more reading, Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society has written this interesting blog entry on the topic.

Now is a good time to point out that Eventing Nation will have complete eventing coverage throughout the holiday weekend.  In between the traveling, turkey, family, stuffing, and taking out my friends at football, we will have complete eventing coverage, as usual.   We would be privileged it if you find the time to check in with Eventing Nation once or twice.   

While these Chronicle articles were posted on Tuesday, I wanted to leave our FEI Letter to Princess Haya and ER Episode 51 posts at the top of our homepage for a while.  David Ramey has a good article about when to call your vet.  The article includes such gems such as:

"the horse's skin keeps the outsides out and the insides in. If you're seeing any of the insides, say, from an encounter with a sharp piece of metal, it's time to get to the phone."...and... "The phrase, "Eating like a horse," was coined for a reason. If your horse isn't eating, call your veterinarian."

Another way to think of it, for our Jeff Foxworthy fans out there is: you might be a redneck if... you dont follow David's advice.  Definitely worth a read.

Congrats to both Leslie Laws on their new son, Liam Lesley Law.

Finally, Jack Grogan has an excellent article on ulcers in horses.  If you have ever had a horse with ulcer problems, or worse yet, suspected ulcer problems, you have a feeling for the limitations in modern vetrinary medicine.  "Well, we might scope him which might give us answers, or we could treat him for a kagillion dollars, at which point we will still not know very much..."

"THE BAND IS OUT ON THE FIELD!" Go eventing.

"Your Royal Highness, 

 As a group of senior veterinarians with experience of equestrian competition at international level, we write to express our grave concern at the recent decision of the FEI General Assembly to adopt the so-called 'Progressive List' that allows the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in competition horses. This resolution has seriously over-shadowed the commendable clean sport campaign recommended by the Stevens/Ljungqvist reports, which offered a major step forward in equestrian sport. We would like to emphasise that we are fully behind the concept of 'clean sport'. 

The 'Progressive List', which we understand was seen for the first time by the delegates when they arrived for the assembly, has not been debated sufficiently and we believe a decision has been made that was premature, illconsidered and seriously retrograde. Permitting the use of NSAIDs will lead to abuse and the participation of horses in competition that are unfit to compete. It also removes the 'level playing field' that has been a crucial and fundamental ethos of the FEI since its foundation. We believe the decision must be reconsidered and would draw your attention to the following historical facts. 

Firstly, following extensive consultation, the General Assembly meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1993, finally removed the 'maximum permitted level' for phenylbutazone (PBZ). Over a number of years this had been reduced from 5 μg per millilitre of blood to 2 μg/ml. Under the 'Progressive List', PBZ will be permitted up to a level of 8 μg/ml, a four-fold increase on the level rejected by the Rio meeting. This decision will have a serious and negative effect on welfare and profound repercussions for equestrian sport. The 'Progressive List' also permits flunixin, another NSAID, to be used up to a level of 0.5 μg/ml in serum or plasma. 

Secondly, the 'Progressive List' raises the salicylate threshold. We would point out that this threshold was lowered in 1999 on the advice of the Veterinary Committee and again following extensive consultation. Salicylic acid had been found in CORAL COVE at the 1998 World Equestrian Games, and it was apparent at the time that intravenous 'topping up' to the threshold was not a rare occurrence. 

After analysis of 650 equine urine samples collected worldwide and considerable discussion it was decided to reduce the FEI threshold to below that used by racing (where there was no evidence of similar abuse). The work was reported to the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians in 2004 and was subsequently published. There was therefore a clear rationale for the threshold of 625 μg/ml in urine or 5.4 μg/ml in plasma. 

Thirdly, national legislation in many European countries prohibits any medication in competition animals. This does not apply in parts of the US where 'permitted levels' are more common. A 'controlled restricted' list will surely be unenforceable where it is in conflict with the national laws of a country. 

In conclusion, we would urge you to reopen this debate, encourage extensive international consultation and invite National Federations to reconsider their decision in Copenhagen in the interests of the health and welfare of the competition horse. 

Sincerely yours, Leo B. Jeffcott, and Andrew Higgins, Roberto Busetto, Jean-François Bruyas, Michael Dűe, Paul Farrington, Wilfried Hanbuecken, Liisa Harmo, Miklos Jarmy, Peter Kallings, Gerit Mattheson, Nigel Nichols, Jack Snyder, Warwick Vale, and Alex Atock."

The turmoil around the decision continues to grow as the head of the AAchen World Equestrian Festival has spoken out against the FEI's recent decision on allowed substances. More importantly, major Aachen sponsor Deutsche Bank said "We do not want to have unsound or injured horses in our sport. The CHIO Aachen 2010 will not be carried out on the basis of the current FEI regulations, but according to the ethics of clean sport." When sponsors start speaking out, it means the problem is not going away.  Read more.

Related Eventing Nation articles: European Boycott of WEGs?, Letter to Princess Haya, Petition to FEI, Horse Racing Won't Follow FEI, Chronicle Covers Doping Debate, My Take, *FEI Approves Bute,  FEI Considers Bute 

A website has just been established to petition the FEI to reverse its ruling to allow small amounts of bute and other PED's.  The petition website is here, and read more about the story at Horse and Hound.  The petition demonstrates how disenfranchised many people feel by the sudden and autocratic way the FEI handled the entire issue.  All of the work done by the FEI over the last year to reform the image of equestrian sport with respect to doping is being drowned out by the furor over this one issue.  

On November 2nd, we reported that the UK Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) was considering a tax on horse ownership of up to 100 British pounds.  Click here for our original post, and my take on a horse tax.  The tax results from the proposed creation of a new body to monitor animal health and deal with disease outbreaks and other major animal issues.  Supporters of the tax feel that recovery from horse disease outbreaks and other problems should be funded by the horse industry alone.  Opponents point out that the money spent on horses by individuals has already been taxed once by the income tax.  A website has been created to petition and lobby government officials against the tax.  This article is a good summary of the opposition, but points out that only 5,000 horse owners have signed the petition against the horse tax so far.  The horse tax is back in the news today after the UK National Equine Database, which tracks horse ownership, has received harsh criticism for being a 'big brother' organization that will help the government institute the horse tax.  Go eventing.

Amazing story.  15 year old Elizabeth Walters was diagnosed with cancer in 2008.  "My second thought was: what was I going to do with my horse?"  Elizabeth was treated at St. Jude's Children Hospital, and, after a remarkable recovery, competed at the Middle Tennessee Horse Trials in October.  Read more about the story from Emily Daily at EventingUSA.

The Chronicle chimes in on the performance enhancers scandal at the FEI with this article.  The article doesn't break any incredible news, but is a good summary of the situation and is definitely worth a read.  The author does a great job of explaining some of the other new rules and procedures established in Denmark, including: 

"an independent integrity unit, tighter stable security and access, 'professionalization' of officials and veterinarians to reduce vested interests and education programs. National federations will be expected to bring their domestic medication controls in line with the FEI's and testing laboratories will be harmonized round the world.  New sanctions start with a minimum two-year ban for actual doping offences. Lesser offences can be dealt with for first-timers with an on-the-spot fine. A confidential hotline will allow people with concerns about suspected offenders to help intelligence-led investigations, which may include out-of-competition testing. Sample-testing will also be more transparent."  

A freak tragic accident took the life of beloved Linda W. Reynolds while vacationing in Arizona with her husband Walter and relatives on November 11, 2009.  She was age 67.  Eventing Nation extends our condolences to Linda's family and many friends.

--Area II Year-End Awards: There is not an Area 2 annual meeting this year, so the awards will be on display at the USEA Convention.  Congratulations to all our friends in Area II for a great year of horse trials.

--Check out the FEI top eventer rankings for 2009. The top 100 contains 10 US riders, and 23 eventing riders from Great Britain.  The top 10 are: William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Oliver Townend (GBR), Michael Jung (GER), Lucy Wiegersma (GBR), Andreas Dibowski (GER), Phillip Dutton (USA), Karin Donckers (BEL), Megan Jones (AUS), Buck Davidson (USA), Dirk Schrade (GER).  You can find yourself somewhere on the complete list if you have done an FEI competition this year.

Two months before the World Equestrian Games, the Kentucky Horse Park will host the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships.  This announcement is pending FEI approval.  The dates are July 28th-August 1st.  My take: there were concerns about NAJYRC interfering with preparation for the WEGs, but I am glad to see that everything worked out.  The KHP is the perfect venue for NAJYRC, with its central location and great facilities.  USEF Press Release, Photo Info

In the horse industry, it is well known that some bloodlines produce better stallions and other bloodlines better mares.  The ability to have stallion semen sorted for sex-selected foals is being offered on a commercial basis through a new alliance between Semen Technologies and Equine Reproduction Innovations. The use of sex-selected semen in conjunction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection will be offered to horse breeders for the 2010 breeding season.  Read More

Penny Rowland and Roundabout won the indoor eventing at the Canadian Royal Winter Fair after winning day one and finishing 2nd in day two's competition.  Oliver Townend had a rough day two, finishing in last place.  Scroll down for video from day one.  Recap, Results

A List: 

2009 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Schedule

Zenyatta is set to race in the Classic, and Barbaro's brother had a good start to his career.

Interesting  article from the BBC about riding.  Do we all just have "equine addiction syndrome?"