USEF Upholds Horse Welfare and Fair Play with Stiff Penalties for Doping

[wishfulthinking711]

I am sure everyone just got the email from USEF regarding Larry Glefke and Kelley Farmer’s large fine and suspension. Does anyone know when the 24-month/12-month suspension start, because they have several horses showing at WEF this week? Just curious as I pick my jaw up off the floor. Sorry, I don’t know how to link the article but here is a cut and paste:

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Hearing Committee has issued its first decision imposing penalties pursuant to the Equine Drugs & Medications Penalty Guidelines that went into effect January 1, 2016. The Penalty Guidelines recommend ranges of penalties for violations of the Drugs & Medications rules with regard to particular categories of forbidden substances. Substances in Category IV, which include GABA, contain the most serious penalties. The Penalty Guidelines also take into account whether it is the respondent’s first, second, or third offense.

Larry Glefke received a 24-month suspension and a $24,000 fine after Kelley Farmer’s horse, Unexpected, tested positive for GABA at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show in a Pre-Green Hunter 3’3" class on July 28, 2016. Glefke was identified on Unexpected’s entry blank as the trainer. Farmer was identified as Unexpected’s owner and rider.

The Hearing Committee also found sufficient evidence to support imposing a 12-month suspension and a $12,000 fine against Farmer in her capacity as a “Person Responsible,” and thus accountable for the condition of the horse under General Rule 404 of the Drugs & Medications rules.

In support of the penalty against Glefke, the Hearing Committee referenced his prior reserpine violation, also a Category IV substance, a recent violation involving the sedative acepromazine, and a violation for filing false Medication Report Forms. These are factors considered under the Penalty Guidelines for enhancement of penalties. Likewise, the Hearing Committee noted Farmer’s prior reserpine violation as a factor that attributed to the penalty awarded against her.

The Hearing Committee expressed concern that despite their awareness of the charges against them and of the scheduled hearing, neither Glefke nor Farmer attended the hearing or submitted any witnesses or evidence to rebut the charges against them.

Bill Moroney, USEF Chief Executive Officer, said, “We applaud the Hearing Committee’s decision in this matter. We are focused on ensuring safety and fairness in equestrian sport. The use of GABA in horses competing in USEF competitions compromises these priorities. Our Equine Drugs & Medications program is designed to protect our horses, as well as the participants who compete clean horses. It’s clear from the penalties issued in this decision that the Hearing Committee takes the purposes of the program very seriously.”

[Limerick]

I cannot believe people are still using GABA!!!

This is huge…

[findeight]

GOOD. About time. Unfortunately not the first time this ones been set down hard and the very long sabbatical he took last time didn’t have much of a lasting effect on questionable practices. Not just the drugs either.

[bmj13]

[QUOTE=Limerick;9005337]
I cannot believe people are still using GABA!!!

This is huge…[/QUOTE]

If you go back and look at the Colvin court transcripts, BC states that at Rivers Edge they give horses GABA but played with the amounts so they would get a result and not get a positive test (since it’s a naturally occurring substance).

Also a 24k$ fine to them isn’t a huge deal - to me it would be life ending, but big bucks people that’s nothing.

Typically people who get layed down start the period around the same time as their postive test. So it should start in July or August of this year.

[Limerick]

24000 may not be much money to them but being set down for two years is going to hurt. And Kelley is set down for a year.

[findeight]

Got set down longer then that last time, didn’t seem to deter him, she’s had a couple of vacays. Not first timers. They won’t be far.
,

[wishfulthinking711]

So, how will this work? Will the horses still be able to compete under another trainer/rider? I noticed the majority of the horses are being ridden by Taylor St. Jaqcues in the Junior Hunters which peaked my curiosity.

[Xctrygirl]

To be clear, can they appeal this and lawyer up?
Emily

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=wishfulthinking711;9005381]
So, how will this work? Will the horses still be able to compete under another trainer/rider? [/QUOTE]
This is what I wonder too.
Can they just lease or sell the horse out of their program?

[IPEsq]

[QUOTE=Xctrygirl;9005384]
To be clear, can they appeal this and lawyer up?
Emily[/QUOTE]

Considering that they didn’t show up or submit anything for the hearing, I’d think an appeal is unlikely.

[gerut]

Per COTH: “A USEF spokesperson said both suspensions start July 1.”

[MHM]

I saw somewhere that the suspension starts July 1. The offense happened at a show in July, and typically the suspension starts around the same date as the offense.

Any horse that gets sold can compete under a new owner, I believe.

[Darkwave]

Good for USEF. Between this action and Murray Kessler’s comments about the USEF annual meeting (as reported in the Chronicle), I’m getting inspired to join USEF again. I don’t show and have no plans to in the future, so there’s no real need for me to join. But I see things heading in the right direction, and I want to support that.

[bmj13]

Also thought it was in poor taste to email the announcement. All suspensions and findings should be emailed from now on. People can go read the announcements if they please.

Also Vanessa Brown is working and riding for them. I’m sure she will take over all the rides. She’s been showing a lot recently. Makes sense now.

[bmj13]

Also thought it was in poor taste to email the announcement. All suspensions and findings should be emailed from now on. People can go read the announcements if they please.

Also Vanessa Brown is working and riding for them. I’m sure she will take over all the rides. She’s been showing a lot recently. Makes sense now.

[Sticky_Situation]

So what are the odds that all their horses will continue competing under some assistant trainer’s name, with a different rider up during competitions?

It’s hard for things like this to have a lasting effect when there are so many loopholes that something like a 2-year suspension will barely affect the offender’s business. I’m sure it’s also much easier said than done to close said loopholes, when you’re dealing with people with such major amounts of wealth and access to resources.

[bmj13]

Also this would explain their FB post congratulating Katherine Dash on finally owning the horse. Something like their partnership is finally permanent. Must’ve had a hold up with the sale with all of this going on. Surprised they still bought the horse…

[LovesHorses]

Doesn’t she ride with Archie? Wasn’t he suspended all Fall for GABA?

[scrbear11]

July 1 is a big hit for them. Good job USEF.

Horse can compete with new owner and new rider/trainer. That’s fine. Let’s all remember this isn’t the HORSE’S fault, it’s the owner/rider/trainer. The USEF finally grew a pair and made an example of the most public and well known owner/rider/trainer pair.

[Blinky]

I didn’t get an email nor is this on the USEF site. I only bring that up as its inconsistent of the USEF in communicating things they need to pick a method and do it for all members.