michael whitaker

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lucretia

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sorry not at home so cannot check myself but someone told me in the current bsja magazine, at the back it said that they ar suspending Michael for five years. I am sure that cannot be right and i havent seen anything like that on here but i do miss quite alot of stuff when i am away so can someone check or could anyone from the bsja clarify please
 
OMG!!!!!
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Yes, I saw, but as it was 2009 issue I assume the suspension was still standing? Sorry, only quickly Googled for link - apologies if it's wrong
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He was provisionally suspended by the FEI back in June, effective either June 24 or 25 (whichever day he was notified) based on the A sample finding, per standard FEI procedure. With a few exceptions (e.g. very minor events), when you are notified of the A finding, you are also notified that you are provisionally suspended, and that you may contest the provisional ban at a preliminary hearing. MW had his preliminary hearing on 26 June, resulting in the provisional ban already issued from the date of notification being upheld (as it has been in every other case since these rules took effect more than a year ago).

As with any provisional suspension, inherent in the concept of "provisional" is that it has no fixed term but is a suspension pending the final outcome of the case. In this case, assuming it's his first offence, the maximum he could get would be two years, not five. If it's his second offence within the last five years, he could (in theory at least) get up to four years, but that is pretty farfetched at this point as the penalty has to be proportional, so they can only very gradually increase the bans or they won't hold up in the CAS.

Current case status table:
http://www.fei.org/Athletes_AND_Horses/M...gust%202009.pdf
FEI anti-doping and medication control rules:
http://www.fei.org/Athletes_AND_Horses/M...nformation.aspx
 
I cannot imagine any circumstances where someone would be banned for five years tbh, and as far as I know the hearing hasn't taken place yet. I know the sport has suffered with a large number of high profile cases but mistakes happen and it would be very harsh when the rules need clarifying.
 
yes i know all the FEI stuff, but this was in the bsja magazine with John on the front of it and the person who called me about it said it was near the back somewhere (poss disciplinary page??)
and as it happens the FEI have recently said that the national federations can do as they please pretty much once the FEI sentences have ben served.
and i totally agree about harshness and that the rules need clarifying. i believe that is being addressed though. the International showjumping riders club have certainly had plenty to say about it.
 
Anotther point to bear in mind...........

If he is suspended for a doping offence for longer than 6 months, he will no longer be allowed to ride at the Olympics under new IOC bylaws.

This is exactly what happened to Christian Ahlmann, who this week received official notice from the IOC that he is no longer welcome as a competitor at the Olympics.
 
Maybe the laws need some clarification and I have absolutely no idea personally whether Michael Whitaker is guilty or innocent BUT drugs in the horse sporting world are a serious issue.It needs eradicating and no one should be above the law.Pammy tell it as it is Hutton said that very clearly in a recent article in Horse and Hound.
 
OK - what it is is this. The BSJA dates diary, on page 61 has all the suspended members and the reasons for their suspensions. Michaels suspension says:

Member Suspended under Rule 88.2 - FEI suspension
Area 23
Mr M Whitaker Whatton, Nottingham.

Just below is the next suspension which relates to another member, which says:

Member suspended under Rule 82.11 - conduct himself in a manner which is detrimental to the charachter and/or prejudicial to the interests of the Association - Stewards 5 year ban.

This does not relate to Michael but another member - think the person who told you this has misread the details.

Hope that clears it up for you.
 
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