Classic Eventing Nation

New Additions to 2014 FEI Controlled Medications and Banned Substances List

By on Oct 3, 2013 1:30 pm -

It’s hard to believe we’re only 90 days out from the New Year. On Jan. 1, new changes to the FEI’s drug lists become official. Changes to FEI rules are published 90 days in advance to allow sufficient notice to all athletes and national federations to make any needed adjustments.

Some interesting changes are coming up in 2014. Medications Metformin and Levothyroxine are being added to the controlled medications list. The first is an anti-diabetic drug with legitimate uses but has the potential for welfare risk. The second is a thyroid hormone replacement that can potentially enhance performance. Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) is moving from the banned substance list to the controlled medication list due to therapeutic value in equine medicine.

Substances taking up residence on the banned substances list are injectable ammonium chloride, Gamma-Butyroactone (GBL) and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Injectable ammonium chloride is listed as it can be used to block nerves, while GBL and GHB are listed as having a high potential for abuse to improve athletic performance.

While I’m glad to see the FEI take action and add make additions to the banned substances list, I couldn’t help but find myself wondering where I’d heard about GBL and GHB before. My mind kept calling up clubs and flashing lights rather than some dark mutterings from the hunter/jumper show circuit about what was rumored to go on behind certain barns.

And then I remembered, GBL and GHB are both rave drugs, or more sinisterly used as roofies. Both can easily be lethal, but GBL is also sold as an industrial solvent in some parts of the world, used for removing paint, rust and graffiti.

Seriously, what kind of person thinks “Hey, paint stripper! That’d be a great thing to give a horse!” As a final thought, I find it darkly amusing that the FEI’s 90-day notice rule means these changes were posted hot on the heels of Sheikh Mohammed’s latest doping scandal. Every now and again, I do love me some schadenfreude.

Video Throwback: 1993 NAYRC Footage

By on Oct 3, 2013 12:00 pm -

“It’s August. It’s Wadsworth. Where are your teenagers? Out badmouthing your country and listening to punk rock music, I suppose. No! They’re at Temple Farms, site of the North American Young Rider Championships.”

Those are the opening lines to this fantastic video, which offers a look at the 1993 NAYRC in all its 90’s fabulousness at Temple Farms in Wadsworth, Ill. The video opens with Paul Laschinski rocking a very 90’s hairstyle and a feather earring, flanked by Michael Barisone and Ralph Hill. Together, they offer commentary on pure dressage, eventing and pure show jumping.

If you want to skip straight to the eventing like I did, jump ahead to the 14:13 minute mark. This footage was shot long before the days of the one-fall rule, so you’ll see plenty of riders clawing their way back into the saddle after taking a spill. There are plenty of familiar faces in the video, including a young Gina Miles 15 years before she won an individual Olympic silver medal.

Here’s a look at the order in which the riders and their horses appear in the video:

Erika Radtke and Maker’s Mark
Matthew Brown and Maximum Speed
Trudy Race and Our Trilby
Kenneth Dierks and Greystone
Amy Slayter and Renaissant
Rumsey Gilbert and Night Train
Mara DePuy and Hopper
Gina Ostini and Southbound
Aaron Thomson and Winds of Time
Virginia Jenkins and Talisman

This is a gem, EN. Enjoy! Go eventing.

What Was On Sheikh Mohammed’s Jet Anyway?

By on Oct 3, 2013 10:30 am -

New details are emerging about the type of equine drugs seized by UK officials from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s jet in May, which triggered a subsequent raid in August at his Moorley Farm in Newmarket, England. According to articles in The Telegraph and The Guardian, the drugs found on the jet were marked as “horse tack” and included the following:

  • 5 boxes of Pentosan Gold
  • 5 doses of Naquapaste
  • 14 doses of Sarapin
  • 12 bottles of Dexaphenylarthite
  • Butapaste
  • 14 does of Phenylbutazone
  • 100 doses of Tildren
  • 12 bottles Adequan
  • 20 doses Amikacin
  • 20 doses Carbocaine
  • 12 doses Dexamethasone
  • 12 doses Dexium
  • 12 doses Deladine
  • 20 Hylvisc syringes
  • 12 doses Banamine

Many of these drugs are either banned in the UK or sold under a different formulation. The sheer amount of Tildren is very interesting, as it is a drug that has a limited shelf life and would only be given to a horse once or twice a year for bone-related issues.

Sheikh Mohammed is no stranger to equine drug-related offenses. In 2009, he was banned from endurance riding by the FEI for six months after a horse he had ridden tested positive for a steroid. Additionally, horses trained in stables owned by the Maktoum family have been at question in two dozen doping cases since 2005.

Also, earlier this year Sheikh Mohammed’s racing stable in Newmarket was at the center of another doping scandal when it was discovered that his trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni had given steroids to 22 of the Sheikh’s race horses.

As far as the drugs on the jet, Princess Haya, his wife and president of the FEI,  told The Guardian that she and Sheikh Mohammed didn’t know about the May seizure until it was reported last month and have opened an internal investigation in to how something like this could have happened.

Classy. How’s that FEI Clean Sport initiative going anyway?

U.S., Great Britain Join WEG 2018 Bid Process

By on Oct 3, 2013 9:08 am -

Will the Kentucky Horse Park host the 2018 WEG? Photo by Lisa Andres of Wikimedia Commons.

The FEI announced this morning that the U.S. and Great Britain have joined the bid process to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games. It seemed Bromont had the bid in the bag earlier this year when all other potential host cities withdrew from the process, but the FEI began accepting new bids in July when Montreal was unable to commit full public sector financial support for the Games. Wellington, Fla., and Lexington, Ky., have now officially thrown their hats into the ring, and Great Britain must declare which city will seek to host the Games by a Nov. 15 deadline.

From the FEI:

The FEI has received formal Expressions of Interest from Great Britain, the USA and Canada to host the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018, after re-opening the bidding process on 1 July 2013.

The USA has identified two potential host cities — Wellington (Florida) and Lexington (Kentucky) — and Great Britain will have to confirm the proposed host city with the FEI before the 15 November 2013 deadline for receipt of Bid Applicant Questionnaires.

Canada confirmed its initial bid to host the 2018 Games in Bromont/Montreal. The FEI Bureau opted not to allocate the Games to Canada at its July meeting after the Canadian delegation was unable to provide the full public sector financial support required. As a result, the Bureau re-opened the bidding process for 2018, but expressed the hope that Canada would confirm its decision to continue in the bidding process. The Bureau made it clear at the time that any follow-up bid from Canada would be evaluated in the same way as other applicants.

The Bid Applicant Questionnaires will be reviewed by the FEI Evaluation Commission at FEI Headquarters before the host city candidates are announced on 2 December 2013.

In the final stage of the bidding process, the Candidates will formerly present their bids to the FEI Bureau at its spring 2014 meeting, after which the host city for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 will be announced.

“The FEI World Equestrian Games is our flagship event, appealing to huge global audiences of equestrian enthusiasts and sports fans, and these expressions of interest by Great Britain and the USA alongside Canada are testament to the power of these Games”, FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos said.

“We are now looking forward to receiving the Bid Applicant Questionnaires next month, to naming the candidates in December and ultimately of course to announcing the host city for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 next year.”

Thursday Reader from Devoucoux

By on Oct 3, 2013 12:03 am -

Why hello fall! (a photo taken from yesterday on a hack)

Happy Thursday, everyone! I feel the fall officially coming on, as the days are getting shorter and my hacks are now populated with the crunching sounds of leaves underfoot. While I do enjoy some cooler weather, and some awesome fall events, I also realize that the “hair factor” largely outweighs these fun things on a daily basis. If you clip your horse, it’s annoying to blanket constantly, and if you don’t its annoying to clean them constantly and worry about disgusting things living under wads of fur. #winterhorsegirlproblems

Events This Weekend:

Morven Park Fall H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

Roebke’s Run H.T [Website] [Entry Status]

Woodside International H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Kent School Fall H.T. [Website]

News from Around the Globe:

Star of the current show, Jock Paget, might be competing at Adelaide CCI4* in November. He will be in town celebrating his 30th birthday, and will definitely be competing in masterclasses in the main arena, but is hoping to do the CCI4* as well. While it’s doubtful that he will bring Clifton Promise or Clifton Lush all the way back there for the event, it’s unknown who he plans to compete as of yet. [Paget Ready to Win Adelaide]

As the government shutdown continues, the BLM is struggling to keep workers caring for the thousands of mustangs held in captivity.  The Bureau of Land Management said the minimum number of employees needed to humanely care for the horses were deemed exempt from the shutdown. Executive director of the wild horse advocacy group, Protect Mustangs, Anne Novak said: “This is a perfect example of why wild horses and burros should be living on the range and why 80 percent of America’s wild horses and burros should not be kept in federally funded facilities.” [Skeleton Crews Caring for Mustangs]

It’s no secret I’m a fan of Alycia Burton, who became famous from her YouTube video with her palomino paint horse jumping without tack of any kind. A local news personality took some time to go and meet Alycia and check out her skills on horseback. Turns out, Alycia is trying to break a Guinness world record for jumping a full course of jumps at 2 meters without tack of ANY KIND. That’s badass. [No Saddle, No Bridle, No Problem]

If you aren’t already familiar with Horses Inside Out, now is the time to have a good look. Founder Gillian Higgins, a Sports Remedial Therapist, Equine Therapist and anatomist, started giving lectures about horse biomechanics and anatomy, when she realized she kept getting the same questions from her clients about their horses’ bodies. So these skeleton, muscle and tendon paintings proved to be an entertaining and memorable way to teach riders and trainers about a horse’s anatomy. [Horses Inside Out Are Both Cool and Creepy]

Speaking of the “hairy factor”, isn’t about time you get to indulge in some blanket shopping? Here’s a cool deal: between now and November 26th, you get to trade in your clean used turnout blanket and get $50 off a new turnout blanket from SmartPak. How sweet is that? My favorite is the Rambo Wug, and knock on wood I’ve had mine for about 6 years and it’s still going strong. [SmartPak Blanket Deals]

 

Best of Blogs: 20 Ways In Which Horse Riding Becomes Life Itself

University of Alabama Launches Eventing Team

By on Oct 2, 2013 6:00 pm -

EN has closely followed the rise of collegiate eventing in the U.S., we’re very excited to announce that the University of Alabama has launched an eventing team. Mackenzie Spaes, UA’s team vice president, wrote in to tell us all about the new program. She rode for nine years with Carrie Barrick before moving to Tuscaloosa to start her freshman year. Take it away, Mackenzie!

Mackenzie Spaes and Ripple Effect representing Area VIII at the 2012 NAJYRC. Photo by Brant Gamma.

 

From Mackenzie:

Growing up in Louisville, Ky., I was always surrounded by horses and knew that I wanted them to be a part of my life. What I loved most about the sport was the strong sense of family and community that defined eventing. Whether it was at horse shows or just at home, I always felt a bond with my fellow eventers. Everyone looked out for one another. As I packed up to leave my home of 18 years for college, I just knew I had to find this community in Alabama.

Collegiate Eventing is not a well known organized sport when it comes from the perspective of the university. I struggled with picking a college because I knew I was going to have to stay in the saddle. There was absolutely no question of attending school and not riding. I know any eventer out there will agree with me when I say once you pick up the reins you never really let go.

Something about Tuscaloosa captured my heart, and I knew this was where I belonged for the next four years. The only thing that Alabama did not have to offer to me was eventing. If I learned anything from Carrie, it was that if I set my mind to something, I could achieve it. I knew I could always come to her with some outrageous goal and she would say, “You want it, go get it.” I took this advice the minute I stepped on campus. I knew I wanted collegiate eventing to become a recognized sport at Alabama.

I had absolutely know idea where to start. I was an out-of-state student in a brand new city who was trying to get settled into college. Where in the world was I going to find time to start an event team? Luckily, I did not have to look very hard. Lizzie Walters, a junior at UA, contacted me one night, and to say I was excited was an understatement. I scared my roommate have to death when I jumped out of bed screaming that I found fellow eventers, and I could not wait to be reunited with my horse family.

Lizzie, who is now our team’s president, had almost everything organized. She had contacted the University of Georgia’s event team, which thankfully gave us a ton of information and support; we are very thankful for their help. I finally felt like I found my calling. Lizzie was ready to start this team, and I was right behind her. Over the next week, both of us blew up social media and tried to find fellow eventers throughout campus who were ready to jump on board.

Anyone who has owned a horse knows that all you do on Facebook is post adorable pictures of your horse. It’s just inevitable that the only pictures all over your page are selfies of you and your horse or your competition photos. That made it easy to scout out our potential new members. Everything seemed to be coming together. I tried to help Lizzie as much as I could scheduling meetings; meeting with members; and, of course, marketing our idea everywhere.

I’m proud to say that we have almost 20 members for our upcoming team, and this is such an accomplishment. I could not even imagine this happening without the hard work of our board members and our team members. And this is just the beginning. I have to say our biggest inspiration is the event team at UGA. They have done amazing things with their program, and I hope one day that UA will be on the same level as them.

The program UGA has created is outstanding, and they have set a standard for us. I know with the dedication of Lizzie, myself and the rest of the UA event team that we can achieve the same recognition as UGA. This is just the start for UA Eventing, and I promise you that we are ready to get the ball rolling. We hope to compete as a team for the first time at FENCE Horse Trials in the Collegiate Series. We plan to attend Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials in October just to market ourselves and try to meet people.

As eventers, we get things done. Always. This saying has been close to my heart ever since I left that start box for the first time. This is my next conquest. Welcome to UA Eventing. And, of course, Roll Tide! If you have any questions or want to get involved in the new UA Event Team, contact Lizzie Walters, president, at [email protected] or Mackenzie Spaes, vice president, at [email protected].

Start-Box Jams of the Day: Reader Submissions II

By on Oct 2, 2013 4:30 pm -

Just as everyone has diverse taste in music, riders have different taste in pump-up music. Start-Box Jams plays homage to the songs that give us the courage to tackle cross country. Do you have some favorite start-box jams you’d like to share with EN? Email me at [email protected]

Photo courtesy of Helen Davis

Our picture of the day and first jam comes to us from Helen Davis. Helen evented through Intermediate before switching over to Combined Driving. I see vests, red on the right and plenty of insanity in the middle. Helen wrote in to say that when she hears Audioslave’s “Cochise” she’s ready to go!

Susan Pinkney shared an artist that I was previously unfamiliar with, Corb Lund, who now seems to have found his way in to my iTunes library.Funny how that happens! Corb Lund has an album named “Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!” on which nearly all of the songs are horse-related in some way. Susan related a tale  about seeing Corb Lund live, where he got drunk enough on stage that the crowd had to remind him of some lyrics. Can we book him for the AECs next year?

Our final submission comes from a mother of three, who we’ll only refer to as EM. Her go-to song is Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” She says that the image of one shot and opportunity only coming once gets her fired up and in the mindset to ride her best with no regrets. She thinks her kids would laugh, but I bet they’d say, “Whoa, mom’s kind of bad ass.”

Kristi Nunnink: A Fantastic Trip to the AECs

By on Oct 2, 2013 3:00 pm -

Kristi Nunnink and R-Star just returned home to California after a fantastic performance at the AECs. Rosie romped around Texas to finish with the Reserve Champion Advanced Gold Cup title, and she’ll soon be hopping on a plane to France to contest the Pau CCI4*. Many thanks to Kristi for writing. Go West Coast Eventing!

Kristi Nunnink and R-Star at the AECs. Photo by Liz Hall.

From Kristi:

So we are finally home from the great AEC adventure, and it did seem like an adventure. Getting there was the easiest part. When we arrived, we were greeted by a beautiful facility. The infrastructure was amazing. All of the horses had huge stalls that were well protected from the elements, luckily. The arenas had lovely footing that held up quite well to the different weather conditions, and there was tons of room for everyone to ride.

The cross-country course was indeed at a championship level. Capt. Mark Phillips designed a perfect course that was both big and technical and very tightly metered. It separated the boys from the men while remaining safe for the horses and riders. Show jumping was delayed at times by monsoon-like rain, and the Advanced was actually postponed a day, which was fortunate, as the footing had gotten quite a bit better by Sunday morning.

The West Coast had a strong group of riders and trainers that participated this year, and I think we did quite well, especially if you remember that Gold Cup winner Laine Ashker is originally from California.

Our trip home was a little bit tedious; it felt like we kept going in circles. Our new trailer blew a tire early Monday morning, and we discovered that our old lug wrench did not fit the new lug nuts. Luckily, USRider came to our rescue. All in all it was a wonderful experience and I can hardly wait to go back next year. Rosie is not happy with her Reserve Champion title and would like a rematch with Al.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: A Camel Pas de Deux

By on Oct 2, 2013 1:30 pm -

I have certainly seen some interesting pas de deux competitions in my lifetime, and they usually involve crazy costumes and painted horses. However, this video is a first: a camel and a horse in unison completing dressage movements! This camel does shoulder-in; he does half pass; he seems to have a leg yield and a haunches-in. And if you wait until 1:40, you’ll see that he even has clean changes! Now … if only I could train him to gallop fast and jump big tables, we’d be set to compete at Advanced!

 

Ain’t Nobody Got Cash For That: Hoof Pick Edition

By on Oct 2, 2013 12:00 pm -

Welcome to Ain’t Nobody Got Cash For That, the new series in which we cash-poor eventers marvel at all the things the rich people buy with their endless supply of dollars. Today EN reader Emily Beaver laments the apparent rise of designer hoof picks, and I offer my best guess as to how Hermes priced this Clou de Selle at such an outrageous price. Have an absurdly priced horsey item you’d like us to break down? Email [email protected].

Photo courtesy of www.usa.hermes.com

From Emily:

“I was online shopping the other day — dreaming of all the things I could buy if I didn’t spend all my money on horses — and I stumbled upon the Hermes website. I know — only crazy rich people shop at this store, but a girl can dream, right? I was looking at all the beautiful saddles that they had, and then I got to looking at the grooming supplies.

“The first thing on the list was a hoof pick, and I was incredibly excited because I thought this might be my chance at actually owning something from Hermes without going bankrupt. Then I looked at the price: $260 dollars. Yes, you read that right, and it’s not even covered in gold. Just thought everyone should know what the rich and famous horse people buy in one’s spare time.”

How Hermes Priced It:

Wow, Emily. You sure know how to find a bargain. While it’s difficult to ascertain how a company arrived at a $260 price tag for an item you can find for 99 cents at any local tack shop, here’s my best guess at how Hermes priced it:

There you have it, EN. A hoof pick can in fact be valued at $260 when you consider the appeal of a fancy French name, the equally fancy Moroccan goat who contributed to the cause, the comfort of a perfectly curved handle and the quality of a brand name like Hermes. Go eventing.