[QUOTE=Calico;8268593]
President of USHJA (Lynn Jayne) fined $4k. Good lord.[/QUOTE]
But not set down… How does that fly???
LYNN JAYNE of Elgin, IL, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411 of this Federation, in connection with the Showplace Spring Spectacular
I Horse Show held on June 3-8, 2014, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse CONFESSION after it had been administered and/or
contained in its body gabapentin. Given the unusual factual context of this case, the Hearing Committee ruled that a suspension was
unwarranted. Therefore, for this violation of the rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that LYNN JAYNE be
censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a and fined $4,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this
violation of the rules, CAITLIN CREEL, of Kildeer, IL, as owner, must return for redistribution all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and
monies, if any, won by CONFESSION at said competition, and must pay a $300 fee to the competition in connection with this
penalty pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g
[QUOTE=titan;8269325]
But not set down… How does that fly???
LYNN JAYNE of Elgin, IL, violated Chapter 4, GR410-411 of this Federation, in connection with the Showplace Spring Spectacular
I Horse Show held on June 3-8, 2014, in that she, as trainer, exhibited the horse CONFESSION after it had been administered and/or
contained in its body gabapentin. Given the unusual factual context of this case, the Hearing Committee ruled that a suspension was
unwarranted. Therefore, for this violation of the rules, the Hearing Committee members present directed that LYNN JAYNE be
censured pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1a and fined $4,000 pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1j. It was further directed that for this
violation of the rules, CAITLIN CREEL, of Kildeer, IL, as owner, must return for redistribution all trophies, prizes, ribbons, and
monies, if any, won by CONFESSION at said competition, and must pay a $300 fee to the competition in connection with this
penalty pursuant to Chapter 7, GR703.1g[/QUOTE]
It’s also missing “and will be removed of their position from the USHJA”. If there isn’t a code of conduct, there should be.
[QUOTE=Janet;8269253]
The suspension applies to the trainers, STEVEN RIVETTS and BRIGID COLVIN, not the owner, DR. BETSEE PARKER, so no need to sell the horse. She can continue to show the horse, as long as neither the trainer nor the rider are connected (see GR704 quoted below) to the suspended trainers.
But any horse owned by STEVEN RIVETTS or BRIGID COLVIN, or “shown in his or her name or for his or her reputation” is also suspended.
But my understanding is that those aren’t the “regular” trainer for this horse. He/she remains legit.
For clarification, if you look at GR704 it says
So it may very well be that Tori Colvin (as a family member of the suspended trainer) can not ride that horse for the period of the suspension.
It may also mean that she cannot ride any horse for which her mother signed as trainer at That show (at least)
And she DEFINITELY can not ride any horse owned by her mother.[/QUOTE]
Thats what I thought, still a little ambiguity though. Perhaps they will clean that up with the new rule that will cast a broader net?
Cant help seeing some irony in regards to the actual trainer (at the time, before she moved) who was not there to sign…
So, are all three of these cases related to the same old tub of stuff only fed on non show days or did they gave different excuses? Or are they offering no excuses at all?
[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;8269334]
It’s also missing “and will be removed of their position from the USHJA”. If there isn’t a code of conduct, there should be.[/QUOTE]
Why would they do that?
Apparently USEF feels that she had a valid excuse for exhibiting a horse with a prohibited substance in its system. She is not suspended.
If she was suspended then she may be prohibited from holding the position of President of the USHJA Foundation.
Suspension for a drug infraction is not a great strategy for fundraising.
[QUOTE=findeight;8269343]
Thats what I thought, still a little ambiguity though. Perhaps they will clean that up with the new rule that will cast a broader net?
Cant help seeing some irony in regards to the actual trainer (at the time, before she moved) who was not there to sign…
So, are all three of these cases related to the same old tub of stuff only fed on non show days or did they gave different excuses? Or are they offering no excuses at all?[/QUOTE]
Why would you even think the three cases would be related to the same supplement tub when the three groups are in no way associated with each other? I will be surprised if we hear a peep out of the Colvin/Parker camp.
That letter is really odd. It’s hard to believe it was written by a grown adult. I’m embarrassed for the author.
I was being tongue in cheek there… Instead of the old switched bucket we could get the shared supplement tub. Or maybe there was residue on a $20 bill…
[QUOTE=caballogurl;8268645]
The big issue I have with the hunters is judges want horses to go around in a way that is not natural. Horses swish their tail, pin their ears back after a fence, throw in a little buck or kick every now and then, show a bit of exuberance…but none of this is “kosher” in the hunter ring.
But alas trainers make so much more money on the hunters and it is so much easier to buy your way to the top, which is why the hunter divisions are exploding. The victims here are the horses that are not allowed to be horses…not the trainers, rich owners and riders whose horses are their latest accessory to their Hermes bag. Barf![/QUOTE]
Was the “rich owners and riders and the Hermes bag” comment really necessary? Jealous much?
You know, if I was judging, swishing a tail constantly and pinning ears would mean points deductions for me, too. It means the horse is either sore, or VERY unhappy with its job. A “little” buck or “kick” should be penalized, and heavily.
Every time the subject of hunters “these days” come up, everyone wrings their collective hands and says the whole sport is going down the drain. It’s not…a few bad apples does not speak for the entire sport of hunters.
I will repeat what I’ve said a dozen times…yes, good breeding, good conformation and good training will result in a horse that can go around in proper form and do it quietly. It’s not rocket science. It’s called a total package. Unfortunately, few horses fit into this category and some trainers think the horse needs a “little help” to make up for its shortcomings.
All that said, I’m seriously wondering about the intelligence of some of the top trainers these days. And, 7 months and a “large” fine? How about banning them for a year or two or three? That will really hit them in the pocket book…NO FLORIDA FOR YOU!!!
[QUOTE=busylady;8268715]
Wow…this letter covers all the bases:
-It was an honest mistake (this is understandable)
-USEF is on a witch hunt
-You can’t prove it in a court of law
-What are we supposed to do
-It’s not even that bad
-Everyone’s doing it (my favorite)
-USEF is ruining the industry (because, obviously, drugs are good for the industry).
I have a hard time believing this letter was blessed by an attorney. But wait, I thought you didn’t have an attorney? Wasn’t it just Tommy all by himself against the good ole boys in the hearing? Hmm…I’m really confused.
The most disappointing thing from this letter is learning how much support the Serios have received. Instead of condemning violators, trainers feel sorry for anyone who gets caught. What a great culture.
No doubt this is awful for the Serios. I kind of feel sorry for them because I understand that some people feel that “you can’t beat 'em so join 'em” when it comes to drugging. But, I’m really glad USEF is standing its ground, particularly with Colvin (who I think is a much larger fish than Serio).[/QUOTE]
I seriously doubt their attorney gave a stamp of approval on that one. If he or she did, they need to be fired immediately.
The whole letter is laughable, in my opinion. It speaks volumes…
All that said, I’m seriously wondering about the intelligence of some of the top trainers these days. And, 7 months and a “large” fine? How about banning them for a year or two or three? That will really hit them in the pocket book…NO FLORIDA FOR YOU!!![/QUOTE]
Two of the three suspended will be sitting out Florida, In Serios case Devon and the rest of the late spring early summer circuit too. We’ll see if it really costs them or they do a “work around” as has been traditional for past violators.
[QUOTE=ynl063w;8269363]
Why would you even think the three cases would be related to the same supplement tub when the three groups are in no way associated with each other? I will be surprised if we hear a peep out of the Colvin/Parker camp.[/QUOTE]
I now wonder if Tori takes GABA…she always looks so freakin’ bored with the whole thing…
She’s a talented rider with great horses to ride. So many young girls idolize her and I hear she has a great work ethic, but jeez louise - she just looks like she’s bored out of her mind!
I think it’s a stretch to believe the Serio’s didn’t believe that Tranquility could have a calming effect. Otherwise, why go to such lengths to make sure it wouldn’t test and why not feed it on show days (arguably the most stressful day, and thus the most necessary from a stomach/ulcer perspective)?
That being said, honestly their story makes sense, and I tend to believe that they were not shooting the horses up with GABA but were unaware of its presence in that supplement. Who hasn’t had a tub of a supplement sitting around that all the sudden you think “Hey, wonder if this would help Mr. Fluffypants.”
While one can still argue the legality of feeding a calming supplement that won’t test, the Serios bring up a very valid and remarkable point in that Perfect Prep is supported by the USEF and it, as well as many others, are widely accepted and utilized on the show circuit. Perfectly legal? Perhaps not, but worthy of the suspension and fine? Definitely not.
I’m not sure I would be suing the USEF, but I would be after the product maker who told them it wouldn’t test.
It also seems like additional information regarding GABA and its presence in horses’ systems is needed. If what the Serio’s claim is true regarding the USEF’s testings and rulings on it, some authentication and transparency is needed.
[QUOTE=ynl063w;8269363]
Why would you even think the three cases would be related to the same supplement tub when the three groups are in no way associated with each other? I will be surprised if we hear a peep out of the Colvin/Parker camp.
That letter is really odd. It’s hard to believe it was written by a grown adult. I’m embarrassed for the author.[/QUOTE]
It seems the claim is because USEF took so long to tell them that the first horse had tested positive that they kept feeding the stuff, and by the time they were notified that all 3 of the horses had a positive test reported, they had run out of the supplement and couldn’t test it.
[QUOTE=MoonWitch;8269461]
I now wonder if Tori takes GABA…she always looks so freakin’ bored with the whole thing…
She’s a talented rider with great horses to ride. So many young girls idolize her and I hear she has a great work ethic, but jeez louise - she just looks like she’s bored out of her mind![/QUOTE]
Have you ever met Tori? I don’t think this statement is very fair. She is extremely approachable and willing to chat with all the little girls that come up and ask for photos or to say hi.
[QUOTE=Single Oxer;8269490]
Have you ever met Tori? I don’t think this statement is very fair. She is extremely approachable and willing to chat with all the little girls that come up and ask for photos or to say hi.[/QUOTE]
Which is why I said the positive things that I did. I’m merely stating an observation that I have made on several occassions. I’m sure she’s a lovely girl and have heard she works incredibly hard.
[QUOTE=MoonWitch;8269506]
Which is why I said the positive things that I did. I’m merely stating an observation that I have made on several occassions. I’m sure she’s a lovely girl and have heard she works incredibly hard.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think snarking on a 17-year-old kid is really relevant for this topic. Tori is a showman and is tremendously polite.
Someone help me here. I only saw two horses test positive: One at WEF in March, one at Upperville in June. Where is the third? The letter mentioned a third but quite some time ago and NOT related to this except in a possible 2nd offense type situation that increased the fine/suspension time.
[QUOTE=Mac123;8269463]
I think it’s a stretch to believe the Serio’s didn’t believe that Tranquility could have a calming effect. Otherwise, why go to such lengths to make sure it wouldn’t test and why not feed it on show days (arguably the most stressful day, and thus the most necessary from a stomach/ulcer perspective)? [/QUOTE]
At this point, I think any person showing regularly, especially a trainer, would be very concerned about any supplements fed. If it was my livelihood, I would be researching any supplement I fed to make sure it didn’t contain something illegal and probably taking any precautions I felt necessary to make sure I didn’t cross a line including withdrawing prior to competition. Now, I think I would probably do that sooner than day of competition, but if I’d been told there was nothing illegal in the supplement, but the name still gave me pause (seriously…anyone should be suspicious of a supplement called Tranquility), may day of would seem logical.
Edited to add: Just read the Tranquility webpage. You’ve got to be kidding me if you believe it’s for stomach upset.
[QUOTE=Mac123;8269463]
That being said, honestly their story makes sense, and I tend to believe that they were not shooting the horses up with GABA but were unaware of its presence in that supplement. Who hasn’t had a tub of a supplement sitting around that all the sudden you think “Hey, wonder if this would help Mr. Fluffypants.” [/QUOTE]
Agreed. I had a tub of Grand Hoof that I won at a show. That thing sat around for years and I often considered using it, but never did because I was too lazy to add another scoop to my feeding regime.
[QUOTE=Mac123;8269463]
While one can still argue the legality of feeding a calming supplement that won’t test, the Serios bring up a very valid and remarkable point in that Perfect Prep is supported by the USEF and it, as well as many others, are widely accepted and utilized on the show circuit. Perfectly legal? Perhaps not, but worthy of the suspension and fine? Definitely not. [/QUOTE]
The Perfect Prep issue is really kind of gross…and concerning with PP’s sponsorship of USEF. I emailed the meds and drugs committee and received this answer after providing a list of the PP ingredients:
Magnesium, inositol, l-trytophan, and B vitamins are permitted under the Therapeutic Substance Provision of the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Rule; however, use of these ingredients for the purpose of calming violates the spirit and intent of the Rule.
I was at a show recently and listened to a trainer radio back to the barn to give the PP as the horse would be in the ring in about an hour. PP is regarded as legal and openly used, even though it should be considered a violation.
It also seems like additional information regarding GABA and its presence in horses’ systems is needed. If what the Serio’s claim is true regarding the USEF’s testings and rulings on it, some authentication and transparency is needed.
I have concerns about issues Mrs. Serio raised about the development of the test. I can’t say that I agree with the idea that GABA does no enhance performance (why would people be using it if it didn’t?) but testing should be well-developed and peer-reviewed.
FWIW - this whole thing makes me believe that I have absolutely no place in the hunter ring. I’ve got a lovely horse with some class and we are working on her exuberance but I will not give her anything…nor will I longe her to death. I just hope for good calm days and lot of miles to get her mind to settle.
She is not suspended.