USEF Suspensions & Fines - why who gets what?

[Winston_the_Corgi]

How does USEF decide who gets fines and who gets fined + suspensions for drug infractions? I mean, I know technically the answer, but anyone want to chime in with thoughts?

Here are some recent decisions (late 2015/early 2016) - just pulled out some trainers whose names I know:

Just got fines
Jimmy Torano: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2016/AdministrativePenaltyRulings/JimmyTorano(DIADORA).pdf

(I don’t know if anyone remembers, but Jimmy “got vacation” back in 2001, too)

Peter Leone: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2016/AdministrativePenaltyRulings/PeterLeone(ASYOUWISH).pdf

Daniel Geitner: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2016/AdministrativePenaltyRulings/DanielGeitner(SAILON).pdf

Michael Rheinheimer and Amanda Lyerly: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2016/AdministrativePenaltyRulings/MichaelRheinheimerandAmandaLyerly(BEQUEST).pdf

Lynn Jayne: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberRulings.pdf

Amanda Steege: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberRulings.pdf

Linda Evans: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2016/AdministrativePenaltyRulings/LindaEvans(DREAMLAND).pdf

Bob Braswell: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberAdministrativePenalties.pdf

Kelly Kocher: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberAdministrativePenalties.pdf

Emil Spadone: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberAdministrativePenalties.pdf

Fines Plus Suspensions
Tom Wright (with one of the Ingrams’ horses) got 2 months suspension: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberRulings.pdf

Archie Cox got 5 months suspension: https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/HearingCommittee/2015/SeptemberRulings.pdf

Is it whether it’s a “permitted” substance in a non-permitted amount or presence versus a “banned” substance entirely?

[DMK]

In general I have seen fines when it is excess amounts of a permitted substance. That could be anything from the class was moved, the horse’s metabolic system didn’t read the USEF timing guidelines or even just giving well in excess of legal limits.

Since the guidelines on how punishments are handed down is not a specific rule, all we can do is speculate based on what we have seen in the results. But based on the released transcripts from Cox and Colvin, it does seem there is considerable latitude based on circumstances. I would speculate that if a class got moved or it was just a little bit over permitted amounts that would factor in the decision/penalty. But we really can only speculate.

Tom Wright/Archie Cox were associated with forbidden substances.

[vxf111]

I also think how much someone fights it plays into their punishment. If you “fess up” without fighting, you may get some leniency. Especially if your explanation is non-ridiculous and it was a substance allowed in moderation (versus a totally prohibited substance).

[vxf111]

Oh look, another GABA suspension :(

[hoopoe]

there is also the issue of first time vs repeat offenders.

https://www.usef.org/documents/rules/PenaltyGuidelines.pdf

most of the info is here

I will also say I hate the way USEF has their penalty page and reports organized

[equisusan]

Ok I have to ask why would someone give a Hunter caffeine like the Amanda Steege fine? I can barely drink coffee and show in the hunters.

[DMK]

I don’t remember the details, but I think COTH interviewed her on it (happened the same time as the Cox hearing). They were mystified as well, but researched it and found out that some feed or grain is shipped in the same tankers as coffee or something like that?

Maybe I’m totally misremembering it, but it was something odd like that.

[equisusan]

Thanks DMK. Yes I just read up on it too and withdrew my post. A trainer I admire so it just struck me as odd.