A Qatari endurance rider has been suspended for two years, and his trainer for two and a half years, in a landmark case brought by the FEI for sample evasion.
In deciding the punishment, the FEI Tribunal also considered three prior anti-doping violations by the trainer, Mohammed Misfer Al Habibi, and of other family members of the rider, Ahmed Mubarak Ahmed Al Kuwari.
The incident occurred during the CEI1* 80 km in Doha in February, 2018.
The Tribunal heard that the rider as Person Responsible was notified that the mare Gavotte des Pins was required at medication control, but that many officials witnessed Al Habibi verbally declining, refusing to sign the papers and pulling the horse away from the sampling area.
As the case progressed, the FEI Tribunal heard conflicting explanations from Al Habibi, including an accusation that ride officials were “potentially” pressurised to accuse him, because he is a lawyer involved in a civil suit with the Qatar national federation.
Al Habibi said he had four horses in the competition with new grooms who did not understand the stewards’ instructions – he was busy on the “racetrack” so could not have refused the sample as he “was not there.” He later said he could not have taken the horse to the sampling area, as he had problems with his leg, and that the rider had to leave immediately after the finish to sit a high school exam and didn’t know about the case.
However, Tribunal preferred to take the word of FEI officials.
It also clarified: “It was also clear from the VRs [Veterinary Regulations] that the PR [rider] is strictly liable and responsible for his Horse at all times and remains responsible for the supervision of the Horse at all times, and must bring the Horse to sample collection. It was therefore irrelevant if the PR intentionally or not evaded the sample collection. A refusal by the Trainer as his support personnel, actually applied to the PR’s failure in his duty of care.”
The two were also fined 3,000 Swiss francs each.
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