B Sample Positive for Rufus

The FEI has received confirmation that the B sample of the horse Rufus, ridden by Rodrigo Pessoa at the 2008 Olympic Games, has yielded a positive test result for the banned substance nonivamide thus confirming the initial positive findings from the A sample. Nonivamide is part of the capsaicinoid family and is classified as a “doping” prohibited substance given its hypersensitising properties, and as a “medication class A” prohibited substance for its pain relieving properties.

A hearing with a panel of the FEI Tribunal is currently being scheduled and will be announced in due course.

The panel will, in light of all the evidence received, take a decision as to the applicable sanction. The competition results will be amended as indicated in the Tribunal’s final decision. The rider remains suspended until such a decision is taken.

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