A panel of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal has taken its decision in the Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rule case involving the horse Cornet Obolensky, ridden by Marco Kutscher (GER) at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Kutscher admitted to the Tribunal that the horse had been treated with Lactanase, a Medication A Prohibited Substance at the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, however, he claimed that he believed at the time that the team veterinarian had followed the necessary protocols to ensure the treatment was permitted and within the rules.
Consistent with the FEI’s strict liability approach to anti-doping rule violations, the panel has found that Marco Kutscher was the person responsible for the horse and that he thereby violated the FEI Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules because of the undocumented treatment. Mr Kutscher and the horse have therefore been disqualified from all placings at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
A period of suspension was not imposed on Mr Kutscher as the Tribunal felt the timing would be unfair, but he was instead fined an unprecedented CHF 10,000 because of his negligence and ordered to pay CHF 5,000 towards the costs of the Tribunal proceedings.
Marco Kutscher has 30 days to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The full text of the decision is available here: CORNET OBOLENSKY
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