Articles: Press Release
Statement By The United States Equestrian Federation On The Passage Of The
Progressive List Of Permitted Medications At The FEI General Assembly In
Copenhagen, Denmark
Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The USEF is supportive of the rule change allowing certain non-steroidal
medications included on the Progressive List passed at the FEI General
Assembly in Copenhagen earlier this month. The list includes medications
that would be allowed in FEI competitions and which are already permitted in
USEF competitions.
These medications are not considered by WADA to be performance enhancing in
human athletes and because of this distinction, they are not prohibited.
While it is the human athlete that is solely responsible in making the
decision to use these non-performance enhancing medications, it is the
responsibility of the FEI to protect and ensure the welfare of our equine
partners. By placing restrictions on the use of the NSAIDs to include low
level administrations and continuing a rigorous program of veterinary
examinations and inspections, the FEI is providing for equine welfare while
still prohibiting the non-judicious use of these and other medications
consistent with the Clean Sport initiative.
While fully supportive of this change the USEF believes that the
implementation of the rule on January 1, 2010 may be problematic.
The addition of certain NASIDs to the permitted medication list will be new
to many NFs and an education and communication plan needs to be implemented
before the rule takes effect. FEI laboratories need to adopt standard
identical protocols for testing so as to assure a level playing field for
all athletes throughout the world.
The USEF is also concerned that the premature implementation of this new
rule may impact team participation at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
in Kentucky in 2010. Without a carefully prepared education and
communication program, a premature implementation of this rule is risky and
has high potential of causing a series of unintended consequences.
The USEF believe the passage of the Progressive List is a step forward in a
commitment to horse welfare. The General Assembly of the FEI has made its
decision but, we strongly encourage the FEI to delay implementation until
such time that the laboratory procedures are in place and a communication
and education plan has been launched.
For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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