A jumping owners’ decision to secretly give their stallion steroids in hope of improving semen quality has resulted in their unwitting rider being suspended for a year.

The FEI accepted that Brazil’s Jefferson Martins Maquieira could not have known about the owners’ intentions, and so bore “no significant fault or negligence.” But under the strict liability principle he is still accountable. He accepted a one-year suspension and 1,500 Swiss franc fine, in a negotiated settlement ratified by the FEI Tribunal.

Maquieira’s ride Gucci tested positive to Boldenone and Boldienone at the CSI2* in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico from October 3-6 2019. Boldienone and Boldenone are banned anabolic steroids with anabolic effects to increase muscle mass and modify behaviour.

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