Let me think about this again. I can argue both sides. Well, now if I was arguing FOR them, I might be inclined to focus on the “could improve performance” part.
How much pain killing would the detected amount provide? “Could” it improve performance. And so we come back to the issue of testing amount, not just presence. Which as I understand it…it a great big expensive whole 'nother ball of wax.
[QUOTE=DMK;3480290]
Also, hearing about the (unsubstantiated) reports of the FEI vet quitting 11 days before the olympics due to concerns about the drug testing process makes me think I might not be alone with my thoughts.[/QUOTE]
Well, if we’re all gonna go with unsubstantiated reports here, then ze van vere ze team riders geschoollt deinen heese off-zite, possibly using illegal methods, should be ringing a few people’s bells too…
And we still go back to the whole zero tolerance policy NOT working b/c how do you control absolutely everything your horse comes into contact with? How do you ensure the feed isn’t contaminated? Or the shipping method didn’t put your horse into contact with something? Or the vet didn’t use something unintentionally?
The dressage rider who got dinged - did you read her statement? (Assuming we believe her of course;) ). Her horse had a heart arrythmia due to shipping trauma, was treated upon landing. They believed EVERYTHING was in compliance & didn’t even know what the substance was that they got the positive test for. They had to look it up. And the assumption is that somehow, during the horses time in the vet clinic, he was contaminated. Is that fair?!
And you know, I look back & when I was at WEF this year, the horse I was grooming for was in the FEI tent and subject to those rules. He got a peppermint after he jumped Were we in violation? Probaby were. How can you tell me that a peppermint candy is performance enhancing?!
[QUOTE=War Admiral;3480336]
Well, if we’re all gonna go with unsubstantiated reports here, then ze van vere ze team riders geschoollt deinen heese off-zite, possibly using illegal methods, should be ringing a few people’s bells too…[/QUOTE]
That rumor is one that pops up at practically every major international competition. People just can’t stand that that team can ride a lot better than just about anyone else out there, imo.
[QUOTE=YankeeLawyer;3480358]
That rumor is one that pops up at practically every major international competition.[/QUOTE]
As does the discussion of whether the drug rules are fair or not. :lol: They are what they are. I’m with Ghazzu - deal with it or don’t play in the sandbox.
I don’t see anyone screaming about it WA. I think people are pointing out that
a) the zero policy doesn’t work
b) just b/c you fail a drug test doesn’t mean you necessarily are abusing your horse
c) those that got caught are probably not the only ones doing something the FEI doesn’t agree with;)
d) back to A, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to control absolutely everything that comes into contact with your horse to prevent accidental contamination
[QUOTE=Ghazzu;3479528]
I think this is the crux of the matter. We’re now able to determine pee in the ocean.
However, there are some substances, which there is absolutely no legitimate reason to be using up close to a competition, that I wouldn’t be too upset to see prohibited in any amount whatsoever(fluphenazine and reserpine come to mind as examples here). Others, with a prior D&M report similar to USEF, trace amounts wouldn’t bother me.
But I’m not holding my breath for this–coming up with what constitutes trace amounts with no therapeutic effect is going to be a long, expensive, and likely ugly process.[/QUOTE]
I agree, on all points.
I also think, when having these discussions, that it’s worth remembering that while the US has a million dollar team of specialists and assistants and etc, that not every Federation does, nor should it really be a requirement for entry. I suspect that the Jamaican riders, for example, did not have the same NF support that the US did. You shouldn’t need three full time people per country tracking what is and isn’t a prohibited substance from the FEI.
[QUOTE=War Admiral;3479799]
Is it really only me who finds the FEI drug rules infinitely more legible/comprehensible than the USEF ones? :lol: They’re written in plain English, not the “this horse was designed by a committee of lawyers and came out a humpbacked camel” legalese of the USEF rules.
I don’t show at rated shows much anymore, but I know when I do, I start going over the USEF D&M rules and what’s in my OTC meds cupboard with a fine-toothed comb MONTHS in advance - and despite doing that, usually a lot more times than once, invariably I end up having to get on the phone w/ USEF to check on the ingredients of one supplement/medication or another.
By contrast the FEI rules seem pretty straightforward, to me. Though I agree w/ DMK that the site is poorly designed.[/QUOTE]
Reading the FEI rules, I would have no idea that vetrolin was a forbidden substance.
[QUOTE=War Admiral;3480407]
As does the discussion of whether the drug rules are fair or not. :lol: They are what they are. I’m with Ghazzu - deal with it or don’t play in the sandbox.[/QUOTE]
Or you can work to improve the system. I am not going to go round and round on this; I wholeheartedly agree that one must abide by rules in effect. But these rules are not as clear as they should be, and there is no way for someone to say with 100% certainty whether many commonly used products are allowed or prohibited. And, one need not stand by and do NOTHING when confronted with a regulatory system that could benefit from further consideration and possible revision.
p.s. Check your feed label. Does your feed contain magnesium?
No option for change, eh? No chance we could see a way to do something better, we just need to live and die by what exists in the here and now?
I don’t think anyone is saying that everyone just automatically gets a pass because the rules/process governing these games is an epic fustercluck. What’s done is done and that is indeed the sandbox everyone chose to play in. But you know what? We can make a hell of a lot better sandbox for the next time, and I believe that is the gist of most people’s concerns, or mine, anyway.
Those that fail to learn from their mistakes are destined to repeat them. That doesn’t apply solely to competitors.
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