Historically, a substantial percentage of positive cases have been for banned substances. This means that, under the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations that came into force on 5 April 2010, those riders would have faced a possibly career-ending two-year suspension.

This fact demonstrates how important it is that all National Federations, athletes, vets and officials understand the new Rules.

To help promote the Clean Sport message, the FEI has drawn up a list of the Top 10 Things You Need To Know About Clean Sport to help everyone involved in equestrian sport abide by the rules.

THE CLEAN SPORT TOP 10

1. The Regulations are divided into two sections, with the approach to Banned Substances (doping) stricter than the previous rules while the rules governing Controlled Medication Substances are more flexible to compensate for the realities of competition.

2. Equine Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ETUEs) are no longer available for Banned (doping) Substances.

3. While the rider of the horse is still the “Person Responsible” (PR) and therefore strictly liable, the new Regulations call for greater focus on support personnel as potential “Additional Persons Responsible”.

4. There will be a presumption of a two-year ban on any PR who has violated the Equine Anti-Doping Rules (i.e. involving a Banned Substance).

5. The PR now has the opportunity to have the B Sample tested at a different lab from the one that tested the A Sample and to have a witness throughout the entire laboratory analysing process.

6. The FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List clearly names all the substances not allowed in competition whilst under FEI rules. There will be a minimum of three months notice before a new substances is added to the List for the next year. See www.feicleansport.org

7. Within the List, there are two categories, Banned Substances which have no common legitimate use in equines, and Controlled Medications, which have common uses, but are not allowed whilst in FEI competition.

8. A record of medications given at any time from the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List must now be kept, whether in competition or outside. All that is required is to record the date, place, active substance used, the person responsible and the treating veterinarian (if applicable).

9. Laboratory Detection Levels for substances at all laboratories are set at fair and equal levels.

10. Any suspicions of a lack of integrity in the sport can be reported directly to the FEI or to the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit.