TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
If you go to the "doping list" http://www.fei.org/Athletes_AND_Horses/Medication_Control_AND_Antidoping/Horses/Pages/Decisions.aspx you can read the details of all tribunals for all recent decided cases.
Michael Whitaker guilty of doping
- Thread starter HHnewsdesk
- Start date
SonnysHumanSlave
Well-Known Member
what benefit would have he had by giving it to his stallion??
I think its just a very sad case of human error, and he will back on the scene soon.
I think its just a very sad case of human error, and he will back on the scene soon.
FRESHMAN
Well-Known Member
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction TarrSteps. That made interesting reading. I dont recall finding any evidence though regarding whether the substance was "laced" or "Traced" If the groom did mix up a feed bucket from the mare that had permission to use the substance, therefore the full daily dose was given to MW's stallion & tested within 24hrs. Would this be classed as purely a "trace" or "lace" ? I am very confused
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
Sorry, it wasn't really pertinent to your specific question (on which I don't have any more information than you) but more towards the general point raised that the investigations are done and concluded entirely in secret, which isn't strictly true. In fact the first time I saw that list I was surprised how much information was readily available to anyone who wanted to see it.
I agree, it makes interesting reading. The first time I looked at it the recent convictions included an upper level rider (not UK based) I know personally, who was fined and suspended, although I'd never heard a word about it. I guess we all figured the rider just had a few light weeks.
I guess it does support the "over regulated" argument, that so many people are caught. But then again, I guess you could use it to support the other view, that medication use is perhaps so widespread and part of everyday management that many people simply don't think - or maybe care - about the repercussions.
One point though, while I would agree the regulations need some looking in to, riders are well aware of them and the consequences for breaking them. C'est la vie. Although I do think the Olympic ban is needlessly harsh and serves no purpose. It seems bizarre to accept that the infringement in this case was accidental, not systematic abuse of the rules, then hand out what is effectively a lifetime punishment. What would be the Olympic punishment for someone whose horse tested for a therapeutic amount of steroids or bute?
Just as an aside, I am entertained by the idea of sport as "fair". Of course it isn't fair - the strongest/fastest/smartest wins.
The medication rules are meant to level the playing field, so no one can gain an unfair advantage. The problem, of course, is that people have been trying to gain an advantage since day one - that's the point of the exercise.
I agree, it makes interesting reading. The first time I looked at it the recent convictions included an upper level rider (not UK based) I know personally, who was fined and suspended, although I'd never heard a word about it. I guess we all figured the rider just had a few light weeks.
I guess it does support the "over regulated" argument, that so many people are caught. But then again, I guess you could use it to support the other view, that medication use is perhaps so widespread and part of everyday management that many people simply don't think - or maybe care - about the repercussions.
One point though, while I would agree the regulations need some looking in to, riders are well aware of them and the consequences for breaking them. C'est la vie. Although I do think the Olympic ban is needlessly harsh and serves no purpose. It seems bizarre to accept that the infringement in this case was accidental, not systematic abuse of the rules, then hand out what is effectively a lifetime punishment. What would be the Olympic punishment for someone whose horse tested for a therapeutic amount of steroids or bute?
Just as an aside, I am entertained by the idea of sport as "fair". Of course it isn't fair - the strongest/fastest/smartest wins.
sjstar23
Well-Known Member
Where are you getting your information from? Google I'm guessing... I could give you an equal number of sites stating that it COULD have a calming effect on a mature stallion... over the age of two... they have stated it in horse and hound, in the telegraph, and a number of vets have also indicated this also, including my father. Either way, calming effect or not the black and white situation is that his horse tested positive for a BANNED substance. I'm pretty sure everyone would use the same old "oh it must have been a feed mix-up" excuse... if they let Michael off, people who test positive for anything in the future are going to use this case as defence. It's not like he got that long a ban anyway! I do agree that the whole system needs looking at ... as in I think he should receive a much less harsh punishment than someone who was found to have given their horse something like capsaicin, but they still have to be seen to do something... it would be worse... he could be a German rider... then he really would have had the book thrown at him, as they're not taking any rubbish with reards to doping anymore!