Ocala Drug Positives in riders

[Xctrygirl]

Ok so the rest of the story that had been alluded to around social media made it out of the closet today.

Here’s the link straight from the FEI of the riders and what they tested positive for.

https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Case%20Status%20Table%20Athletes_0.pdf

I’m sure I don’t know enough to say that these are people that should be castigated before we hear why all three tested positive for amphetamines, maybe it was diet pills or drugs typically given for ADHD.

I do think it should be interesting to hear what happens next.

FEI has providence over the outcome, not the USEA. So in theory they would (I think) retain any given grants distributed through the USEA.

Em

[2LaZ2race]

Can you not take Rx ADD meds at FEI level? Like I have a Rx for adderall which is Amphetamine sulfate.

[Xctrygirl]

Ok so here’s what I can find.

The WADA (World anti doping agency) which is the overseer for FEI Clean Sport, does allow a therapeutic Use exception for prescribed drugs for certain conditions.

The question of Adderall and the WADA rules came up at an ESL competition in 2015. (ESL is video game stuff)

https://www.polygon.com/2015/8/12/9136721/esl-adopts-anti-doping-WADA-list-banned-substances

I don’t know if this was from an ADHD med, but when I searched ritalinic acid it did get mentioned with adhd meds.

Em

[2LaZ2race]

Not to say that ADD medications aren’t abused by adults, and if they’re banned they’re banned.

[HiJumpGrrl]

All of the results listed could be because of ADHD meds; hopefully the riders listed have rxes for same.

[Synthesis]

Amfetamine would be Adderall, Methylphenidate would be Ritalin or Concerta (extended release Ritalin)

My husband has ADD, so I’m familiar with the specific medications. Being on Ritalin/Concerta AND Adderall simultaneously would be unusual from what I understand.

[2LaZ2race]

@HiJumpGrrl

All of the results listed could be because of ADHD meds; hopefully the riders listed have rxes for same.

But there’s a reason they are banned. Even if they have a Rx Amphetamine for people who don’t actually need it is basically a performance enhancing drug. It can increase muscle strength, acceleration, and fight off tiredness.

This was also interesting to me:
Amphetamine and other dopaminergic drugs also increase power output at fixed levels of perceived exertion by overriding a “safety switch” that allows the core temperature limit to increase in order to access a reserve capacity that is normally off-limits

[AlternativeID]

Interesting that Alyssa Phillips has recently moved from training in Texas with Angela Bowles to training with Jennie. Very recently as a matter of fact. Wonder if there is any connection.

[North_Dakota]

That’s the information for Therapeutic Use Exemptions and how to go about applying for one.

https://inside.fei.org/fei/cleansport/humans/tues

It is too bad if it was an oversight in filling out the correct paperwork for a TUE, at minimum this is a good reminder to everyone to know the clean sport rules for the level you’re competing at, no matter the sport.

[Jealoushe]

It should also be noted these drugs are commonly used as appetite suppressants.

[HiJumpGrrl]

Well, as a psychiatrist with a lot of experience managing ADHD for both children and adults, I would hope they don’t have a prescription without a clinical need. Stimulants certainly can be and are frequently mis-used, even with a prescription, but I know that, for example, the NCAA allows meds if need is demonstrated. I am not at all certain about the FEI, but I would hope that if there is a true neurological need for a stimulant, that it would be allowed. Imagine trying to do an upper level dressage test without the ability to focus on the task at hand…

Again, I hope they have a prescription and a demonstrated need. Maybe they DO have TUE, and if not, well, that’s a shame.

[skydy]

The WADA rules are very clear and easily accessible. It’s hard to imagine that filing for a medical exception to use these drugs would just slip the mind of anyone riding under FEI rules.

[skydy]

WADA Prohibited List 2017 https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/wada-2017-prohibited-list-en.pdf

[CatchMeIfUCan]

An adderall prescription would have to be registered with the FEI if someone was taking it regularly. I don’t see how they are going to get out of this one. Hannah Sue won the 3* - that will be a huge blow.

I know a rider that was also drug tested at this competition. It was quite an ordeal - she was taken off her horse immediately following her round and didn’t leave the testing room until 10:30pm the night before she had to go cross country. They tested 10 riders and only had 2 people to process. Gotta love the FEI.

I don’t want to spread too many rumors but the riders that came up positive were very clearly upset as they were being tested. I wouldn’t assume so easily that it’s a daily prescription that wasn’t registered. There was definitely talk of some late night fun going on, and adderall is commonly used for partying. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Alyssa came up positive a week after she started working for Jenny.

[skydy]

Canrenone is a metabolite of Spironolactone which is a diuretic, and diuretics are a definite NO as far as WADA is concerned.

[Jealoushe]

and Jennie and HSB are close friends are they not?

[CatchMeIfUCan]

@Jealoushe

and Jennie and HSB are close friends are they not?

Yes. And Alyssa now works for Jennie.

[Jealoushe]

@CatchMeIfUCan

Yes. And Alyssa now works for Jennie.

That makes this look like it might be something other than prescription use. I would think also if it was an RX they would have made a statement when the Chronicle tried to reach them.

[URL=“http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/three-riders-test-positive-for-prohibited-substance-at-ocala-cic”]http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/...e-at-ocala-cic

Canrenone is a WADA-prohibited substance in the diuretics and masking agents category.

Does that mean it is used to mask other drug positives?

[vineyridge]

I’m a lot concerned about TUEs for drug use for conditions that going without performance enhancing drugs wouldn’t be life-threatening in the long run. Why should an athlete be able to have access to a performance enhancing drug if that is what makes them competitive in the first place? I very much feel the same way about drugs in horses. If a horse needs a drug to compete, it shouldn’t be competing. Neither should people. Sports competition is not a vital endeavor; it’s a luxury activity.

If a drug is a known performance enhancer, IMO people who use them ought not to be able to compete unless the drug will keep them from dying young.

[skydy]

Jealoushe, It can be used to “flush” other drugs from the system and that is why it is prohibited without a medical exemption. Diuretics are used in medical treatment mostly for people with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and other conditions that result in fluid retention.