Eventers Jonathan ‘Jock’ Paget and Kevin McNab have been cleared of doping charges by the FEI Tribunal. Both athletes’ horses – Clifton Promise and Clifton Pinot – tested positive for the banned substance reserpine following the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, in September 2013.
During the hearing, it was explained that both men, along with other members of the New Zealand eventing team, had administered the supplement LesstresseE to their horses, which was later found to contain traces of reserpine.
The Tribunal ruled that Paget and McNab were not guilty of intentionally doping their horses, as LesstresseE had not previously been known to produce positive tests. Paget noted that his horse, Clifton Promise, had tested negative four times between July 2010 and September 2013, after receiving LesstresseE.
It was also documented that Paget had consulted a veterinarian in 2012 and Trinity Consultants, the manufacturer of LesstresseE, on several occasions, to confirm the ingredients in the medication. As such, the Tribunal does not hold Paget at fault for the incident, despite further testing on bottles of LesstressE manufactured between May and August 2013, all of which tested positive for reserpine.
Paget and Clifton Promise can now compete at the 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games™ with a heavy weight off their shoulders.
To read the full decision by the FEI Tribunal, click here.
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