Doping suspension for Italian rider and Argentine Mariano Pablo Ossa

The FEI has announced new findings surrounding prohibited substances in two horses.
The samples were taken during the CSIO2* in Tehran, Iran in September from Sir de Diamant, who was ridden by Mohammad Davoud Shekofti, from Iran, and they were positive for the banned substance stanozolol and its metabolite, 16 beta hydroxy-stanozol. It is an anabolic steroid that promotes muscle mass.
The horse’s sample also tested positive for the controlled medication dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat inflammatory and auto-immune conditions, and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug flunixin.
Samples taken at the Young Horse Endurance Championships in Valeggio sul Minico, Italy, on September 26 from the Barbaforte Bosana, ridden by Camilla Malta have tested positive for the banned substance ergonovine, a vasoconstrictor.
Both riders have been provisionally suspended from November 16 while the horses have been provisionally suspended for two months.
A case was also opened against Dr Pasha Syed Kamaal. Samples taken from the horse, which was ridden by Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of the United Arab Emirates, in the CEI3* 160km endurance ride at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on February 10, 2012, were positive for the banned substance propoxyphene, an opioid analgaesic, and its metabolite norpropoxyphene.
The FEI Tribunal has issued final decisions in the case of the horse Up Date 2, with sanctions imposed against the rider, horse owner and vet.
Samples taken from the horse at the CSI3* San Giovanni showjumping event in Marignano, Italy, on August 9, were positive for the banned substance stanozol.
A two-year period of ineligibility was imposed on the rider, Mariano Ossa, of Argentina, the Person Responsible (PR) under the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations, from the date of sample collection.
However, the FEI Tribunal reduced the period of suspension by five months as his substantial help resulted in proceedings being opened against the horse owner and the vet.
As a result, he will be ineligible through to March 8, 2016. He was also fined 2000 Swiss Francs and ordered to pay 1000 Swiss Francs towards the legal costs of the judicial procedure.
The horse owner, Fabio Mazzarella, of Venezuela, and the FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian, Dr William Yerkes, of the United States, were both charged under Article 2.2 of the FEI Equine Anti-Doping Regulations relating to use or attempted use of a banned substance.
A two-year period of ineligibility has been imposed on Yerkes, and a 19-month suspension for Mazzarella. Both periods of ineligibility have been backdated to May 21, 2014, the date when the banned substance was given to the horse. The owner has also been fined 5000 Swiss Francs.www.fei.org
(MC)