Drug testing in horses: Germany’s loss of 2017 European Eventing silver confirmed

Drugs in sport is very much in the global spotlight at the moment after the International Olympic Committee’s decision this week to ban Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics for state-sponsored doping. But in the equestrian sports world, there has also been increased attention to the issue following German rider Julia Krajewski’s acceptance of a sanction by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), the world governing body for Olympic horse sport disciplines. That sanction came after a positive test for a controlled medication in her mount Samourai du Thot at August’s 2017 FEI European Eventing Championships in Strzegom, Poland.

As a result of the positive test for Firocoxib in the 11-year-old gelding, Germany lost its Team silver medal, Sweden was promoted to Team silver, and the bronze medal will now be given to the Italians, who finished fourth at the Championships. Great Britain, winners of the gold medal, remain unaffected by the reallocation of medals.

“I will accept the administrative sanction,” Krajewski wrote this week on social media, explaining that she has still not determined how Samourai tested positive in Poland. “Concerning the FEI, this case will be closed, but not for me.” Nevertheless, the 17th-ranked Eventing rider in the world said she would continue competing: “I will have to ponder the consequences this incident implicates for my future. Not to know what really happened to Sam, will remain a constant worry to me…. During the last weeks, I have frequently questioned myself whether I should really pursue my equestrian athlete career…. I do not yet feel at ease, to concentrate on winter training and preparation of my horses for next year’s eventing season. But I hope that time will heal, give us some relief and recreation, for a fresh start into the New Year.” 

As the FEI itself describes it, “*The FEI’s Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections – Controlled Medication and Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are those that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) substances should never be found in the body of the horse.” Firocoxib, it notes, is a controlled medication (not a banned substance).

Following the initial test result, Julia Krajewski was given the option of accepting an Administrative Sanction (Fast Track) or requesting a hearing before the FEI Tribunal. But after a B sample which confirmed the result and the expiry of a deadline at the end of November, the rider chose to accept the sanction, which carries an automatic disqualification, a fine of 1,500 Swiss francs and the payment of costs to include testing of the B sample, but no suspension.