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Jockey receives two-year suspension
endurance riding
Endurance riding is based on controlled long-distance races. (stock photo)

FEI publishes decision on prohibited substance case

The FEI tribunal has published its final decision regarding samples taken from the horse Lunatica in Doha on 2 May 2015. The rider, Abdulla Mahmood Abdulla Darban rode the horse into fourth position in the CEI1 endurance event.

The horse returned positive samples for Propranolol and Dexamethasone, both prohibited under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rules (EADCMRs).

The Qatar based athlete also received a fine of CHF 2,000 and was ordered to contribute to the cost of the judicial proceedings. His ban will take immediate effect and run until 22 June 2017.

Propranolol, which is a beta-blocker used to lower the heart rate, is on the FEI’s banned substance list, and should therefore never be found in a competing horse’s system.  

As a controlled medication, the corticosteroid Dexamethasone is on the controlled medication list, and should have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competing.

The report states that the athlete acted in violation of the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping rules and that the rider has “failed in his duty of utmost caution to ensure that the Horse has not ingested any Prohibited Substance.”

The rider must take any appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the next 30 days.

Image © olgaru79

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.