[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;7718108]
Seriously, it is just part of the A show process. [/QUOTE]
They can drug test at any USEF show, not just the A shows. I have seen drug testers turn up at a one day B show, though not very often.
They are more likely to show up at the bigger shows, though. I think I saw them every day at Pony Finals last week.
[QUOTE=HunterJumper90210;7718711]
However, I dont think it should be completely random. I think the champion/reserve horse should be drug tested, not the horse that got 8th or a low ribbon or no ribbon at all. Esp. In the bigger hunter/jumper divisions at the big shows. For example, I would rather have the champion junior hunter get drug tested the the horse that had two rails in the .90m, as realistically what horse has a higher chance of having had drugs or other medication. [/QUOTE]
I beg to differ.
The drug rules are in place to protect ALL the horses, not just the winners.
There are horses that realistically will never be champion or reserve at a show where they are likely to be tested. Those horses are still protected by the random nature of the testing process. If the person dragging old Dobbin around to do the long stirrup division with a novice rider knows Dobbin has no chance of getting tested, there could be some bad medication experiments taking place.
[QUOTE=HunterJumper90210;7718711]
However, I dont think it should be completely random. I think the champion/reserve horse should be drug tested, not the horse that got 8th or a low ribbon or no ribbon at all. Esp. In the bigger hunter/jumper divisions at the big shows. For example, I would rather have the champion junior hunter get drug tested the the horse that had two rails in the .90m, as realistically what horse has a higher chance of having had drugs or other medication. [/QUOTE]
Plenty of bias and assumptions in your statement that are most likely false.:no:
I understand the point of having sharps containers around - I guess I should have specified that they were pretty full. Granted, it was week 5, so it was likely a month’s worth of accumulation. I know that people can inject outside of the 12 hour window and there is Adequan etc - I just feel like the 12 hour rule isn’t being enforced or surely someone would have been caught by now.
Sort of unrelated issues; the full sharps containers just made me think of it. I would rather a sharps container full of needles than the ground/trash can/etc.
I am all but certain that thr 12 hour rule is not being enforced. I watched it being openly defied all weekend at a show.
It’s fine with me. My horse has been tested, and many others at my barn have been selected over the years. No problems at all.
I’m curious to know if anyone has had an incorrect positive result. Anyone? And how did you deal with it?
[QUOTE=findeight;7718368]
I suppose it would be an inconvenience in the minds of those who cheat or overmedicate. Otherwise you sign on for it when you sign the entry blank. You pay for it too.[/QUOTE]
It is also an inconvenience for those who are working and have to track down someone over 18 who speaks english to stay with the tester. I’ve had numerous times where I have to find someone else to take a horse to the ring or explain to a client or boss that I can’t leave the stalls to help them because I need to stay within sight of the testers.
I am NOT saying that I wish they didn’t test…I am ALL for it. But yes, it can be very inconvenient at times even for those of us who don’t have to worry about the results.
The only problem I’ve ever had was when the same pony got tested 2 days in a row, and whoever drew blood the second day left a giant lump in the pony’s neck. And on the occasion that I was the only one grooming and really needed to get another horse to the ring but also needed to be there to sign the witness line. Fortunately, the only time or 2 that it happened, there also happened to be another owner/rider around that I trusted to watch and sign.
Our barn gets tested all the time. It’s a part of the horse show.
Totally part of doing business. I do wish it felt more random. I seem to get tested when I win. I had a pre-green horse who was an almost unbeatable mover and he’d get picked straight out of the hack almost every time he showed. Something like 10 or 11 tests out of 16 shows…something like that.
[QUOTE=BostonHJ;7718382]
Separate note - in VT I noticed all of the barns had sharps containers. I was a bit surprised by this due to the 12 hour rule, and am guessing that rule is just not being enforced since I haven’t read about any hearings in the “naughty list” of the magazine.[/QUOTE]
ALL shows (all disciplines) are REQUIRED to have sharps containers. I do not know about the Stewards reports, but on the TD’s reports there is a specific line item for sharps containers.
It’s standard
[QUOTE=Another Poster;7716936]
I was at a show at Chatt Hills this past weekend. I saw that USEF had drug testers there. How do you feel about this? Is it a huge irritation/inconvenience when your horse is selected or just part of the show?[/QUOTE]
We were there too! Gosh that was a fun show! I love that facility so much. The footing is amazing and the cookouts were really nice. My DD got to do a bit of riding out on the cross country course which our horse really enjoyed.
It’s just part of A showing for the drug testers to be there. If you check your show bill you will see there is a standard charge for that. If your horse won’t pee they will draw blood if you let them; that can be better than waiting and waiting for him to pee. It is random, however I also think there is a new rule that all horses who crash will be tested? Anybody else know about that?
Hope you enjoyed yourself!
Better than no testing at all…I don’t show often, but wish I saw them more.
We used to have a horse that would not pee at horse shows. You could tell when he really had to go b/c he couldnt stand still. He was tested and they tried to wait for him to pee, regardless of being told he wouldnt, and finally ended up pulling blood.
Id rather them be there than not for everyones sake.
I see sharps containers at all AA shows were people stay for weeks on ends. Not my business what they are giving, just glad the ones at VT were emptied as opposed to the ones at Devon that are constantly overfilled.
I get that the 12 hour rule is new, but thats what I was always told it was. Not that I condone drug use, but I always thought it was 12 hours out. And if they have to take something that will be in their system for the show, they need a letter of necessity from their vet.
I fully support drug testing. My side saddle horse was tested 6x last year - out of 13 shows!
It has only been an inconvenience once, last May: I am usually at shows alone, and haul in for the day. I was selected before the final class, but unfortunately I had a migraine starting (day had gotten very sunny w/temps to mid-80s). So I finished the division, cooled him out, untacked, hosed him off, unbraided, tied him to the trailer, and then had to pack up and keep an eye on him for an extra hour (he will not pee if anyone is watching). Finally after an hour the very nice and patient vet drew blood and I could leave, but by that point my head was killing me, I was feeling ill from the migraine, and the extra hour hanging around meant I hit all the traffic on the way home, turning my 3 hour drive into 4 hours.
So, I had nothing to hide, but good Lord I wish I had not gotten selected that day!
It is also an inconvenience for those who are working and have to track down someone over 18 who speaks english to stay with the tester. I’ve had numerous times where I have to find someone else to take a horse to the ring or explain to a client or boss that I can’t leave the stalls to help them because I need to stay within sight of the testers
if you are going to play the game you, the trainer the owners and riders all have to be coached on how to participate in this process.
Standing with the horse in the stall and signing off on the sample collection sheet is within the ability of the most novice owner or rider
owners and riders should not be so pushed aside that they cannot fulfill this basic responsibility.
I fully support drug testing, I actually wish they tested MORE! I never see horses outside of FEI getting tested, and nobody I know has ever gotten tested. I think they should test the top 3 in every class as well as random selection. I also wish they had stewards walking around the barns more, there are a lot of shady, shady things that I have seen back at the barns but nobody gets caught. But lets be honest here, no show organizer is going to shell out more cash to hire more people.
IMO its not too inconvenient. There is plenty of other things to do while waiting (clean tack, sweep etc). But I can see how there can be conflicts if you have multiple horses going.
I sometimes with the drug testers would show up more often.
My ONLY gripe with them is that I dont see them often enough- but I always see them at this one show. While it is USEF recognized (I’m not sure how?), it is a fun show done team style, that comes around once a year. It is geared towards the kids. It is for fun- but without a doubt USEF drug testers are there.
Maybe thats because they catch someone every. single. year.
[QUOTE=SidesaddleRider;7719492]
I fully support drug testing. My side saddle horse was tested 6x last year - out of 13 shows!
It has only been an inconvenience once, last May: I am usually at shows alone, and haul in for the day. I was selected before the final class, but unfortunately I had a migraine starting (day had gotten very sunny w/temps to mid-80s). So I finished the division, cooled him out, untacked, hosed him off, unbraided, tied him to the trailer, and then had to pack up and keep an eye on him for an extra hour (he will not pee if anyone is watching). Finally after an hour the very nice and patient vet drew blood and I could leave, but by that point my head was killing me, I was feeling ill from the migraine, and the extra hour hanging around meant I hit all the traffic on the way home, turning my 3 hour drive into 4 hours.
So, I had nothing to hide, but good Lord I wish I had not gotten selected that day![/QUOTE]
I was thinking about that day while reading this thread. I felt so bad for you!
I go for years without testing then get tested at almost every show I go to! Just part of the process. The testers have always been very polite and willing to follow us around as we finish showing, bathing, etc. I offer them a chair and a snack or drink as my horses just do not feel the need to pee in front of a stranger!
I always ask why they chose that particular horse and it really is random. thngs like: “lets do the horse that place 2nd; or that one has a pretty face, or I like that color”. They have to do a certain number per show.
[QUOTE=hoopoe;7719499]
if you are going to play the game you, the trainer the owners and riders all have to be coached on how to participate in this process.
Standing with the horse in the stall and signing off on the sample collection sheet is within the ability of the most novice owner or rider
owners and riders should not be so pushed aside that they cannot fulfill this basic responsibility.[/QUOTE]
And of course you cut out the part below where I stated that while it can be an inconvenience it is certainly preferable to them not testing at all 
The owner might not even be at a show, especially with a barn that has a lot of sale horses, so its hard for them to fulfill that responsibility when they are not present. Same thing goes for a rider with multiple rides who might need to stay at the ring for another class or a hack.
Plus a junior can’t sign, so if your owner or rider is under 18 they can’t witness the sampling.
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