Racehorse Trainer Avoids Sanctions For Doping Violation

The Ohio State Racing Commission's order penalizing a horse trainer for a positive D-methamphetamine test was invalid because the Commission failed to establish that it had promulgated a rule or issued an order classifying D-methamphetamine as a prohibited foreign substance, despite relying on ARCI guidelines that were never formally adopted.
Read More

Equine Activity Legislation

Passage of equine activity liability acts gained momentum in the 1990’s. 48 STATES HAVE SOME FORM OF EQUINE ACTIVITY LAW limiting the liability of equine activity sponsors for accidents resulting from risks inherent to the sport. The Current List: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,…
Read More

HISA Bans Veterinarian From Racing For Violating Anti-Doping Rules

A racetrack veterinarian has been banned from racing after the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) pursued cases against him and 13 trainers in connection with what HISA called a “conspiracy” to “evade HISA rules designed to protect and enhance the health and safety of horses and…
Read More

Drug-Compounding Company Executive Faces Criminal Charges Related To “Kickback” Deals With Equine Veterinarians

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is pursuing criminal charges against the executive of a drug-compounding company over what it alleges to be an unlawful conspiracy between them and a number of equine veterinarians. Specifically, the indictment accuses the executive “with participating in a conspiracy to distribute an adulterated…
Read More

USEF Board Approves Organizational Position Statements Related To Horse Welfare

The USEF Board recently approved position statements for the organization on Equine Overuse and on Equine Safety and Welfare. The Equine Safety and Welfare statement emphasizes US Equestrian’s commitment to ensuring horses are fit to compete, maintaining optimal conditions for equine welfare, increasing uniformity, integrity and clarity through oversight, providing lifetime care for horses, and…
Read More

FEI Tribunal Issues Consent Awards In Equine Anti-Doping Cases

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance. In this case, the horse Hadar du Vallois (FEI ID 108TS04/KSA), ridden by Abdullah H N H Al Deehani (10042945/KUW), tested positive for the Banned Substance Nandrolone, following samples taken at the CEI1*100 - Al Ula (KSA) 8…
Read More

USEF Announces Mid-Year Rule Changes To Go Into Effect July 1

In keeping with its ongoing commitment to equine welfare, US Equestrian advanced a number of rule changes and modifications at its mid-year meeting June 16 and 17 in Lexington, Ky. Directors heard updates on the organization’s strategic plan, the path to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as well as its vision of continual…
Read More

USEF Disciplines Members For Rule Violations

The United States Equestrian Federation (“USEF”) recently published more than a dozen notices of disciplinary actions taken against members for a variety of rule violations. In three horse welfare/sportsmanship cases, one member was suspended for a month for overworking a horse at a competition, a second member was suspended for a month for overusing a…
Read More

Veterinarian Expelled For Malpractice and Animal Cruelty

The United States Equestrian Federation (“USEF”) has expelled a member for violating the USEF Code of Conduct after a Texas court found her guilty of felony animal cruelty to a mare to whom the veterinarian was providing post-surgical care. According to the Hearing Committee’s decision, the member’s license to practice veterinary medicine was revoked as…
Read More