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FEI World Single Driving Championships return to Pratoni

 

The FEI World Single Driving Championships return to Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA) from 28 July to 1 August. Pratoni hosted the Single Horse Driving Championships very successfully in 2006 and the Italian Equestrian Federation is now welcoming the competitors on their site for the sixth edition of these Championships.

It was just 12 years ago that the first official FEI Single Championships took place at Ebbs (AUT). The next Championship was due to take place in 2000 in Gladstone (USA), but was cancelled at the last minute because of the West Nile Virus. The Championship made a return to the FEI calendar in 2002 in the picturesque village of Conty (FRA), which organises an international driving event every year. Conty will also host the 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championships.


As one of the world’s leading single driving nations, Sweden had the honour to host the 2004 World Single Championships, followed by Pratoni in 2006 and Jarantów (POL) in 2008.


Amongst the 76 competitors from 20 nations heading for Pratoni is the first World Champion from Ebbs 1998, Arja Mikkonen (FIN), who has competed in every World Single Driving Championship so far.


In 2002 France’s Anne Violaine Brisou was well on her way to claiming the gold medal, but was eliminated in the final obstacle driving competition. The title then went to her compatriot Stéphane Chouzenoux, who is now a four-in-hand driver. Brisou however continued to perform at high level and will defend her 2008 individual silver medal and France’s golden team medal in Pratoni.


Sweden’s Marie Kahrle won the individual and team gold on home soil in Astorp 2004 but is not selected to represent Sweden in Pratoni this year. Four years ago in Pratoni it was Britain’s individual competitor Paul Sidwell who surprised everyone by taking home the individual and team gold.


The 2008 World Championships were won by Dutch driver Jan van den Broek, 68 years old at that time. Multiple Dutch National Champion Van den Broek will defend his title in Pratoni, still going strong despite his advancing years.

 

The sport of single driving attracts competitors of all ages. Jan van den Broek is now 70 years old and is the oldest competitor in Pratoni. At the opposite end of the scale is Antonio Simoes (POR), the youngest compeitor at just 16 years old! And both drivers were born 10 days apart in January, Antonio on the 7th and Jan on the 17th. 


The World Championship in Pratoni include eight beautiful marathon obstacles, which are located on the undulating landscape. The course design is in the very capable hands of Christian Iseli (AUT), assisted by Italy’s Franco Provenziani. Dr. Franz Josef Vetter (GER) chairs the Ground Jury. 

 

Timetable:

Wednesday, 28 July: Horse Inspection

Thursday, 29 July: Dressage

Friday, 30 July: Dressage

Saturday, 31 July: Marathon

Sunday, 1 August: Obstacle Driving competition & medal ceremony 

Dr. Susan Johns will once again be the veterinarian for the U.S. Team at the 2010 FEI World Driving Singles Championships held in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy.
Dr. Veronica Feigel has started her year long internship here at VEI! 

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 14 April 2010 

THE TOP 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CLEAN SPORT 

Historically, a substantial percentage of positive cases have been for banned substances. This means that, under the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations that came into force on 5 April 2010, those riders would have faced a possibly career-ending two-year suspension.  

This fact demonstrates how important it is that all National Federations, athletes, vets and officials understand the new Rules. 

To help promote the Clean Sport message, the FEI has drawn up a list of the Top 10 Things You Need To Know About Clean Sport to help everyone involved in equestrian sport abide by the rules. 

THE CLEAN SPORT TOP 10 

1. The Regulations are divided into two sections, with the approach to Banned Substances (doping) stricter than the previous rules while the rules governing Controlled Medication Substances are more flexible to compensate for the realities of competition.

 2. Equine Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ETUEs) are no longer available for Banned (doping) Substances.

 3. While the rider of the horse is still the “Person Responsible” (PR) and therefore strictly liable, the new Regulations call for greater focus on support personnel as potential “Additional Persons Responsible”. 

4. There will be a presumption of a two-year ban on any PR who has violated the Equine Anti-Doping Rules (i.e. involving a Banned Substance). 

5. The PR now has the opportunity to have the B Sample tested at a different lab from the one that tested the A Sample and to have a witness throughout the entire laboratory analysing process. 

6. The FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List clearly names all the substances not allowed in competition whilst under FEI rules. There will be a minimum of three months notice before a new substances is added to the List for the next year. See www.feicleansport.org 

7. Within the List, there are two categories, Banned Substances which have no common legitimate use in equines, and Controlled Medications, which have common uses, but are not allowed whilst in FEI competition. 

8. A record of medications given at any time from the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List must now be kept, whether in competition or outside. All that is required is to record the date, place, active substance used, the person responsible and the treating veterinarian (if applicable). 

9. Laboratory Detection Levels for substances at all laboratories are set at fair and equal levels.

 10. Any suspicions of a lack of integrity in the sport can be reported directly to the FEI or to the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit.

 

Letter from Maryland Therapeutic Riding

Dear All,

Let me be the first to BRAG on MTR!  I know you will hear this news more than once because we are all very, very proud!  I just couldn't WAIT to let you know:

#1 - This past Friday, MTR was visited by an inspector from the British Horse Society to evaluate our center for approval as a BHS Approved Facility and we PASSED with flying colors!  This is an incredible honor.  While BHS Centers are numerous in the UK, Europe, and around the world, there are only about 6 approved centers in the US.  Please visit http://www.bhs.org.uk/ for info on this great organization.  MTR is the ONLY therapeutic riding center in the country that is also a BHS center! 

#2 - Today, MTR was visited by 2 evaluators from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association to re-accredit our center.  This happens once every 5 years and today makes our 3rd Accreditation Site Visit.  We have always scored VERY high but have never received 100% (last visit was a frustrating 99%!) until TODAY!  We met or exceeded every single standard set forth by NARHA, thanks to the incredibly dedicated and professional staff (Jo, Kelly, the 2 Kathys, Ellie, and the barn staff).  http://www.narha.org/ 

#3L - Last weekend, MTR Hosted a NARHA Instructor Training Workshop and Certification which was attended by 22 Instructor Trainees from up and down the East Coast, 11 of whom were tested and certified to become NARHA Registered Instructors!   

#4 - MTR now employs 12 certified instructors and 4 licensed therapists! 

Thanks to ALL of you who support MTR in so many ways.  And when you see our staff, be sure to give them a big high five because they deserve our recognition and appreciation for making MTR truly a PRE
MIER center.  Our riders deserve the BEST and I can say with conviction that they won't find a better center in the region! 

THANK YOU ALL!

Very sincerely,

Naomi

http://www.horsesthatheal.org/ 

 
Dr. Allen just attended the ISELP module at Hagyard Equine in Lexington, Ky. The topic was the Clinical Considerations of the Pelvic and Coxofemoral Regions.
Dr. Allen spoke at the 2009 Hagyard Bluegrass Symposium following the ISELP module. His topics were Conditions Effecting the Back Diagnosis and Treatment, Medications for the Equine Athlete and was the instructor for the wetlab on Advanced Intra Articular and Interlesional Therapy.
 

D&M Program Notice Regarding Use of Liniments

Release: March 03 2009

By Dr. Stephen Schumacher

Recently, there have been some questions related to the use of liniments. The specific liniments in question are:

Equi-Block® Liniments by Miracle Corp.
Ingredients:
Menthol (3%), Purified Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Chamomile Extract, Polysorbate 80, Olibanum Extract, Rosemary Oil, Capsicum Oleoresin, Carbomer, Trolamine, Methylparaben.

Thermaflex Liniment Gel by VitaFlex®
Ingredients:
Menthol 4.0%, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Plant Extracts of Calendula and Rosemary, Oil of Cajuput (Melaleuca Leucadendron), Other Ingredients include: Alcohol, Water, Thickeners, Benzyl Nicotinate, FD&C Yellow #5 and FD&C Blue #1.

Vetrolin® Liniment by Farnam
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Green Soap, Camphor, Oil of Sassafras, Oil of Spike, Methyl Salicylate, Oil of Cedarwood, Oil of Rosemary and Oil of Thyme.

(Forbidden substances are noted in italics.)

The classification of these substances as Forbidden is neither a new policy nor a recent development. Some of the ingredients in the above listed liniments have been Forbidden substances for more than 20 years. These substances, and products containing them, are classified as Forbidden because of their potential actions on various body systems when administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or orally. However, when used topically and as recommended by their manufacturers, these products have not been associated with a positive by the Federation.

As a practical matter, provided the products containing these substances are administered only topically and as recommended by the manufacturer, there is no need for restricting their use during competitions under USEF rules. However, if these substances are used inappropriately (e.g., in a manner other than topically), this could result in a positive finding in the blood or urine of the horse, which would be a potential violation of the rules.

One exception is the substance capsaicin and closely related analogues (e.g., Capsicum Oleoresin as found in Equi-Block®.) There were four drug violations associated with the detection of capsaicin in the blood following topical administration at the 2008 Olympic Games. Neither of these substances or other capsaicin derivatives should be used topically in any poultice or liniment within the 7 days preceding competition.

It is important to note that many preparations produced for the equine market routinely have their formulations changed without any published notice. It is for this reason that the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Program typically does not comment on products by name, but requests lists of ingredients. It would be irresponsible for the USEF to list name brand products as Forbidden or Permitted as there is no control or notification of changes in their ingredients.

Please contact the Equine Drugs and Medications Program office by phone (800) 633-2472 or by e-mail at medequestrian@aol.com if there are any questions regarding additional liniments than those addressed above.

 
Virginia Equine Imaging is one of only 5 sites worldwide that host modules for the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP). ISELP is comprehensive program for veterinarians of advanced education in the field of equine lamenesses and osteoarticular, musculotendinous and nervous pathology, covering the different parts of the locomotor system of the horse. For more information http://www.iselp.org

 Keeping America's Horses Healthy: Dr. Kent Allen Discusses WEG Piroplasmosis Protocol

link to video--http://www.thehorse.com/Video.aspx?vID=150


 
 

FEI List of Detection Times
Click on the link below to see the latest in FEI medication guidelines or contact the USEF Medication Hotline 800-633-2472.



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