Through his official representative, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Friday, 3rd April 2009, took the unprecedented step, for an FEI athlete, of contacting the FEI’s Legal Department to advise them that, following routine post competition testing carried out by Sheikh Mohammed’s own personnel, his team had reported to him positive tests in competition horses on which he had competed.  One horse had competed internationally, the other had competed in a national event (UAE).

As a lifelong horseman with the highest regard for his horses welfare and the rules and regulations governing all horse sports, His Highness immediately requested his representative to contact the FEI and advise them of this information in order that they may correct the placings as Sheikh Mohammed considers his results null and void.  Additionally, he has offered the highest level of cooperation to the FEI.

The substances that were found by his team were Guanabenz (which is used to treat hypertension in people) and 16b Hydroxy-Stanozolol (a metabolite of stanozolol which is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone) a Doping and Medication A offence.

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