Under the FEI's Equine Anti-Doping rules, the FEI Investigating Body (composed of its Veterinary and Legal Departments) are responsible to conduct follow-up investigations which may be required following the receipt of test results. Based on a number of factors related to the testing procedure and integrity of the samples in this case, the Investigating Body has determined that it cannot assert that a rule was violated in this case, and the rider has been informed accordingly.

Under the FEI's Equine Anti-Doping rules, which were adopted last year further to the recommendations of an FEI Task Force on Anti-Doping and Medication Policy and within the framework of the World Anti-Doping Code, the FEI must meet a specified standard of proof when alleging a doping violation, in order to safeguard the rights of athletes. Issues that concern the integrity of blood or urine samples can prove material to whether this standard can be met.

The FEI does not, as a matter of policy, announce the existence of positive test results until it has received and assessed the results of the confirmatory ("B") analysis and determined that they confirm the presence of a prohibited substance, or the rider has waived the right to such an analysis. Unfortunately, news of the positive test result in this case became public through third parties."

The drug Reserpine is used to lower blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in the blood which allows the blood vessels to relax and the heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Reserpine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and is also sometimes used to treat psychotic states such as schizophrenia.

This situation is sadly reminiscent of the Athens debacle and is so bad for our sport - regardless of the outcome, which in this case alludes to tampering of the samples, the use of psychotic drugs in horses is again rearing its head.

These drugs suggest a sinister pattern which needs investigating urgently for the welfare of the horse and obviously whoever was responsible for leaking the information regarding this recent positive test is wanting the issues aired - if the person who leaked the information wishes to contact us please do so by clicking here.

Dateline: Hartpury, England

This week sees the first ever FEI Para Equestrian World Championships, which will be held at Hartpury College in England. Para Equestrian is the eighth FEI discipline and with Para rider Lee Pearson now the International Riders representative, there is no doubt about the huge following this discipline has. With 142 competitiors listed to start, representing 34 countries this is going to an enormous event.

Para Equestrian sees four grades of riders from Grade 1 through to Grade 4 and all riders are graded accorsing to their disability - but do not for one moment think that these riders are limited by their disabilities - they are not!

www.jumpingaround.com are proud to sponsor Irish Para Equestrian Eilish Byrne and have learned that this lady knows no boundaries despite being born with spina bifida - we will be covering the event in Hartpury so stay tuned for the colour and excitement of the dirst FEI Para World Championships.

Eilish now has her own blog site which can be accessed through her website so you can follow her adventures with Youri the superstar horse.

Eilish would like to publicly thank her anonymous sponsor who delivered and envelope with €2000 to her stable a couple of weeks ago with a simple message of "good luck" written on the back. Whoever this person is should know just how wonderful this generous gift was appreciated - Eilish has obviously touched the heart of someone very special and she wants him to know how much the gift has meant to her. All we know about him is that he was a very good looking gentleman in a very nice suit who obviously wants no publicity for his kindness - on behalf of Eilish, thankyou a million times!

Pictured left - Eilish Byrne, representing Ireland at the first FEI Para Equestrian World Championships with her 10 year old gelding Youri.

Youri has unlisted breeding on his passport but Eilish has recently discovered that he is out of a Haflinger mare by a Dutch stallion.

Dateline: Queensland, Australia

A battle has been raging regarding the listed World Cup class which was to be held at Elysian Fields - the class has now been withdrawn as a World Cup class due to a dispute over the prize fund.

FEI rulings state that first place money is not to be more than 1/3 of the total prize fund and with $25,000 on offer for first place the class did not adhere to this ruling. The sponsor of the class refused to alter the prize fund distribution and so the class (the richest one in Australia) will now run as a Grand Prix class with the winner taking home $25,000.

Dateline: Nussloch, Germany

The European Championships for Junior and Young Rider, Dressage Riders was held this weekend in Nussloch Germany saw 13 teams in both the Junior and Young Rider sections.

The Gold team medals went to The Netherlands for YR and Germany for the Juniors and the Silver went to the German Young Riders and the Dutch Juniors while Italy took Bronze in both YR and Juniors.

The Individual medals saw Germany take Gold and Silver in both Young Rider and Junior sections and Bronze in the YR riders went to Italy and in Juniors the Netherlands took Bronze.

Date: Istanbul, Turkey

The FEI European Childrens Championships was held this past weekend in Istanbul, Turkey and the Brits made a clean sweep winning Team Gold and Individual Gold and Silver.

The Childrens Championships are for riders aged between 11 and 14 years of age riding horses and this was Britains first visit to the Championships and no doubt with their exceptional results they will become regulars at the Championships.

Mike Florence, once again the happiest chef d'equipe around, stood proudly with his riders who took the Team Gold medal and also Individual Gold (Graham Gillespie - 12yo) and Individual Silver (Yasmin Pinchen - 14yo).

Ireland took the Silver medal with their team of Edward Doyle Jnr, Jordan Coyle, Michael Duffy and Jack Dodd with Edward Doyle Jnr. and Jordan Coyle finishing in equal 8th overall Individually.

The British team are part of the John Whitaker International sponsored riders which is a brilliant concept working towards the future of showjumping in Britain. For more information about what John Whitaker is doing for the sport which has been so good to him for a lifetime, click here