USEF Suspension List Has Finally Been Updated

[Renn_aissance]

[QUOTE=SCI;8459729]
I did quite a bit a research because I know of a horse that tested positive for theophylline who had not been intentionally drugged. I can tell you that theophylline (caffeine found in tea) and theobromine (caffeine found in coffee) are both common contaminants in horse feed because the same tanker trucks that haul grain products (oats, corn, etc) also commonly haul coffee beans and other products. It is so common, that there are acceptable levels for the FEI and horse racing. There aren’t acceptable levels for USEF for theophylline (only theobromine). Theophylline is also found in most species of holly bushes/trees. We think that is how my friend’s horse had it in his system since there are holly bushes all around his farm and the horse is always grabbing a mouthful.[/QUOTE]

That’s interesting to learn, thank you!

[Calling_Duck]

So Lynn Jayne got tagged for gabapentin [not the same as GABA which is gamma-aminobutyric acid aka Carolina Gold], has to pay $4,000 but no suspension due to the “unusual factual context of the case.” Well then. I guess the fact the horse’s name is “Confession” makes it all the more interesting.

Reading on…there are those always emotional Arabian folks. One guy got fined $2,000 for yelling and “deliberately running his horse toward another exhibitor…” The Chicago Crew could teach those Arabian folks a thing or two about intimidation…and it would be a lot cheaper than a gaba fine.

[Peggy]

Theophylline and theobromine are both present in tea in small amounts. Theobromine is present in larger quantities in cacao beans and is why chocolate can be harmful to dogs. These two compounds are isomers that differ in the placement of a methyl (CH3) group on nitrogen.

Caffeine is is found in tea and coffee and has one more methyl group than the other two.

I drew out the structures on the attachment. Focus on the three nitrogens in each structure and whether each is attached to an H or a CH3. Sorry about the sideways thing. And the missing L in theophylline therein.

.

[vineyridge]

The Administrative Penalties List is interesting as well. There are A LOT of drug infractions there too. I wonder what takes a case from an Administrative Penalty to a Hearing Panel situation? Perhaps it has to do with filing or not filing the required forms at the show. If you are dinged for a banned drug, it must go straight to the hearing panel, one assumes.

One eventer was censured for not cooperating with the drug testers.

[bugsynskeeter]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;8460051]
The Administrative Penalties List is interesting as well. There are A LOT of drug infractions there too. I wonder what takes a case from an Administrative Penalty to a Hearing Panel situation? Perhaps it has to do with filing or not filing the required forms at the show.

One eventer was censured for not cooperating with the drug testers.[/QUOTE]

If you have a horse test positive, you can either request a second test, a hearing, or accept the administrative penalty. In most instances, those are less severe then if you try to “fight” the positive.

[vineyridge]

If that’s the case, then look at the huge number of administrative penalties for drugging. Those are all just slaps on the wrist. So it looks as if the USEF is keeping on keeping on as far as drugging is concerned if bugynskeeter is correct.

[bugsynskeeter]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;8460067]
If that’s the case, then look at the huge number of administrative penalties for drugging. Those are all just slaps on the wrist. So it looks as if the USEF is keeping on keeping on as far as drugging is concerned if bugynskeeter is correct.[/QUOTE]

As I run the medications program for another association, I am pretty familiar with the way other organizations deal with their medications testing. I have discussed the penalty structure with USEF on a few occasions for clarity.

[Janet]

@vineyridge;8460051

The Administrative Penalties List is interesting as well. There are A LOT of drug infractions there too. I wonder what takes a case from an Administrative Penalty to a Hearing Panel situation? Perhaps it has to do with filing or not filing the required forms at the show. If you are dinged for a banned drug, it must go straight to the hearing panel, one assumes.

My understanding is that the “administrative penalty” is roughly equivalent to a “plea bargain”. You get a lesser penalty for agreeing not to contest it.

[Janet]

Financial (no end date) suspensions.

I know of of one person who was fined by the USEF in a way she thought was “unfair” (I do not remember the details).

She decided not to pay the fine “on principle”, and has therefor been on the suspension list ever since.

It isn’t JUST bouncing checks.

[hoopoe]

Yes read the headers. Failed to settle debt with federation can mean didn’t pay penalty

[DMK]

The administrative penalties are not “drugging” in the same sense as the hearing committee rulings. The administrative penalties are fines associated with either a permitted substance (bute, dex, etc.) or what appears to be a therapeutic substance (detomidine, ace, etc.) that did not clear sufficiently (either due to timing or possibly metabolism).

I’m blanking on the exact terminology, but I think permitted is allowed/controlled, therapeutic (sedatives, antibiotics, etc.) is not allowed but has recognized therapeutic benefit and has a general withdrawal time, and prohibited (GABA, cocaine) means no therapeutic use, no amount (or no endogenous amount) allowed. None of the admin penalties fall into this last category.

[Anne]

Gabapentin is not the same thing as GABA.

[JenEM]

[QUOTE=SCI;8459729]
I did quite a bit a research because I know of a horse that tested positive for theophylline who had not been intentionally drugged. I can tell you that theophylline (caffeine found in tea) and theobromine (caffeine found in coffee) are both common contaminants in horse feed because the same tanker trucks that haul grain products (oats, corn, etc) also commonly haul coffee beans and other products. It is so common, that there are acceptable levels for the FEI and horse racing. There aren’t acceptable levels for USEF for theophylline (only theobromine). Theophylline is also found in most species of holly bushes/trees. We think that is how my friend’s horse had it in his system since there are holly bushes all around his farm and the horse is always grabbing a mouthful.[/QUOTE]

Good to know! I figured the horse didn’t chug an espresso on its own, but it seemed like such an odd thing to have as a positive on a drug screen. Odd that there isn’t a tolerance level with the USEF then, too, as there is with FEI/racing.

[Ghazzu]

[QUOTE=Peggy;8460028]
Theophylline and theobromine are both present in tea in small amounts. Theobromine is present in larger quantities in cacao beans and is why chocolate can be harmful to dogs. These two compounds are isomers that differ in the placement of a methyl (CH3) group on nitrogen.

Caffeine is is found in tea and coffee and has one more methyl group than the other two.

I drew out the structures on the attachment. Focus on the three nitrogens in each structure and whether each is attached to an H or a CH3. Sorry about the sideways thing. And the missing L in theophylline therein.

. [/QUOTE]

I love it.

[m_m1]

[QUOTE=Janet;8460238]
Financial (no end date) suspensions.

I know of of one person who was fined by the USEF in a way she thought was “unfair” (I do not remember the details).

She decided not to pay the fine “on principle”, and has therefor been on the suspension list ever since.

It isn’t JUST bouncing checks.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for pointing this out, Janet.

People have been talking about the specifics on some of these. All I’ve ever seen is the name, address and date. Is there a way to see more info?

[comingback]

[QUOTE=m&m;8460956]
Thank you for pointing this out, Janet.

People have been talking about the specifics on some of these. All I’ve ever seen is the name, address and date. Is there a way to see more info?[/QUOTE]

Click here for the additional information: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/rulebook/HearingCommittee/2015.aspx?month=september

[Janet]

[QUOTE=m&m;8460956]
People have been talking about the specifics on some of these. All I’ve ever seen is the name, address and date. Is there a way to see more info?[/QUOTE]
You can go through the “automatic suspensions” for the months near the time the suspension started.

[Pandora1087]

Gabapentin is a nerve blocker. How would it help a horse? It did nothing for me, but I know it helps some people. I’m just curious what it would do for a horse

[sweetpea]

Maybe this is why ,

When you look up side effects of Gabapentin ataxia and sedation come up .

[anel]

Gabapentin can be used for pain relief