It’s been wonderful to see the whole horse world coming together to elicit change in helmet-wearing practices (or lack thereof) and in fundraising to help Courtney and her family defray the costs of increasing medical bills. The world seems to get a little smaller in a good way when things like this happen.

From t-shirts on Etsy to ebay stores, there’s a current outpouring of support across the online equestrian industry.

One that I’m super excited about is an ebay store created by SUCCEED. They’re getting people to donate all kinds of great items, auctioning them off on ebay, and giving all the proceeds to Courtney.

There are several tubs of the SUCCEED digestive conditioning supplement, Jane Savoie DVDs, a SmartPak grooming kit, a Breyer figurine of Courtney’s horse Idocus, t-shirts, totes, and more. I desperately want to go shopping!

So, please, go check it out and do a little fun horsey shopping for a good cause. Or if you have an item you’d like to donate, leave a comment on SUCCEED’s Facebook page or email Lyndsey at lwhite@freedomhealthllc.com.

And for regular updates on Courtney’s progress, subscribe to my friend On The Bit’s blog. She’s one of Courtney’s biggest fans and is doing a great job keeping us all abreast of her progress.

The FEI justified their decision by saying

“It is each Person Responsible’s personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance is present in his or her Horse’s body during an Event. Persons Responsible are responsible for any Prohibited Substance found to be present in their Horse’s bodily Samples. Accordingly, it is not necessary that intent, fault, negligence or knowing Use on the Person Responsible’s part be demonstrated in order to establish an anti-doping rule or medication control violation.”

Hansen’s horse was one of five to test positive for prohibited substances at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. All the riders served suspensions. Hansen, however, was the only medal winner of the bunch. As a result of the positive test, Hansen was disqualified from the competition, which in turn dropped his top score from the Norwegian show jumping team score taking them out of the medals.

by Joanie Morris – U.S. Equestrian Federation
Hong Kong, China – The first medals were handed out at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong tonight, and although the US anthem wasn’t played, the Team is looking firmly to the future. They will ride their freestyle tests over the next two days and then focus on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games where they will be riding on their home turf.

Barb Grassmyer kicked it off with Mibis. She put in a steady performance in the Grade III Individual Test. From Placerville, CA the pair lost some of their roundess and balance in the canter and they ended up on a score of 57.12%.

“I’m happy with my performance,” said Grassmyer, who finished 10th. “Mibis went very well tonight. My goal was almost achieved. I would have liked to have scored in the 60s.”

Grassmyer, who has Aperts Syndrome, is looking forward to the freestyle on Thursday where she hopes to put in an even better performance.

Grassmyer has met people from all over the world on her travels from her Placerville, CA base with the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood, something that she values greatly.

“I love to travel and meet people,” said Grassmyer. “I love to make new friends and ride my horse around the world.”

The medals in Grassmyer’s division were bookened by Germany. It was won by Hannelore Brenner from Germany on Women of the World and Bettina Eistel (who rides beautifully despite having no arms) was the Bronze medalist.

Keith Newerla got his first chance to ride in the main arena today. Riding Walk on the Moon (who is owned by David O’Connor) as an individual, Newerla’s score was not quite as good as he hoped for but Walk on the Moon was total class in the arena, which was proving very electric for many horses.

The 11-year-old Thoroughbred is a former event horse making his Paralympic debut.

“I thought it was an accurate test, but he gets behind my leg” said Newerla who has Spastic Diplegia. “But I’m honored to have the opportunity to ride him, we’ve had a lot of fun together and it shows what type of horse he is. He is remarkable. Any rider would be lucky to have a horse to ride that is that special. He tried his heart out and did the best he could.”

Newerla (who lives in King of Prussia, PA) didn’t reckon in the medals in the Individual Test (his score was 58.571%) but he looks forward to both the Freestyle and to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

“It would be great to compete in the US,” said Newerla. “To be there, for the first time, with all the other disciplines, we can show what we can accomplish as riders. We are riders and it will help build awareness in the US.”

Lynn Seidemann rode Rhett in the penultimate test of the evening of the 1b division. Her test featured improved trot work from the previous test and excellent halts. The Coppell, TX rider had some very good moments in her test with the 10-year-old Danish Warmblood. Their score of 63.905% left them sixth.

“It was good,” she said. “I wanted to improve the trot work which we did so I’m happy with that. My score was what it should have been but my expectation was to do better. I am very much looking forward to my freestyle – that is my favorite part.”

Seidemann is a paraplegic as a result of a skiing accident more than 20 years ago. Riding gives her back some of the freedom she used to have on her own two legs.

“I feel like I’m not disabled when I ride,” she said. “I feel like I can play again.”

The British ran off with their third consecutive Team Gold medal on a score of 439.608, led by 1b individual Test winner, Lee Pearson. Pearson rode Gentleman to his eighth consecutive gold on a score of 73.236%. Germany won Silver and Norway won Bronze. The US finished 10th.

“Its crazy to have 100% success rate at the Paralympics,” said Pearson. “For an inexperienced horse, I couldn’t ask for more.”

The Ia division was won in a close contest by Great Britain’s Anne Dunham who rode the appropriately named and adorable Teddy to a score of 73.100%. Dunham also had the highest score in the team portion of the competition. She just nipped teammate Sophie Chritiansen on Lambruso III, who won Silver. Singapore rider Laurentia Tan was a popular crowd Bronze medal winner.

• More articles on 2008 Paralympic equestrian events

Puerto Rican Dressage Star Luis Denizard Solicits Help for NARHA’s Horses for Heroes

Organization Aids Soldiers Wounded Iraqi and Afganistan
FEI-level rider Luis Denizard traveled to the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2007 and competed as Puerto Rico’s sole dressage representative. It was his first international competition, and he found he had an amazing following of people ready to support him in any way they could. Students, former employers, and fellow trainers rallied together to help raise the money needed to cover the high costs of travel.

This summer, he is hoping that same group will rally around him again, but this time it isn’t his own dressage career he has in mind. Denizard is asking his peers, friends, and acquaintances to come together to support “NARHA Horses for Heroes,” an organization that helps wounded veterans through equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). Many of the program participants have lost limbs fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and riding horses helps their bodies learn to be mobile again. Working with the horses also helps with the depression that many of U.S. soldiers deal with after going through these traumatic experiences. NARHA Horses for Heroes is a program being developed by the NARHA, which was formed in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

Because of how strongly he believes in giving back, Denizard is making a plea to his fellow riders, trainers, and friends, asking them to donate their time and talents to Horses for Heroes. He is donating a week of training at his facility to be auctioned off at the Northeast Regional Adult Amateur Dressage Championships in October during the Silent Auction. All proceeds from the Silent Auction, to be held October 18 & 19, 2008 at Mystic Valley Hunt Club, will go to Horses For Heroes.

While en route to Beijing, Courtney King-Dye emailed from her Blackberry and pledged her support for this event – donating two lessons with her to be auctioned off at the event.

Denizard says, “I believe in NARHA’s Horses for Heroes because of the good that horses have in them for healing the mind and soul. That they help the soldiers improve motor skill functions is icing on the cake. These soldiers have risked their lives for our country and our morals. Many have been severely injured and will have lifelong disabilities. Any and all ways we can give back to support them is very important.”
“Horses have had such a profound impact on my life, and they saved me from many of the pitfalls of growing up in an inner-city environment,” says Denizard. “I firmly believe in horses’ ability to change people’s lives in a positive way.” When he found out about Horses for Heroes, he was drawn to the cause. As a rider for Puerto Rico and a U.S. citizen, he is appreciative of the sacrifices that others have made to provide him opportunities for growth and success. Remaining grateful, he has tried to be alert to opportunities to give back to others.

Denizard started riding Paige Finnegan’s Karola 1 last January, with aspirations of going to Beijing to compete in the Olympic Games. He knew that it would be a difficult task to deliver an Olympic-caliber performance in such a short span of time. Denizard put in his best effort, but ultimately did not meet the requirements in the spring to achieve his certificate of capability with the mare, with whom he had only been riding for a matter of months. His sponsors have stood by him, realizing that success doesn’t just mean winning competitions.

Renee Isler of Westford, MA is one of Denizard’s sponsors, and she provided him with funds that enabled him to compete as he made a bid to represent Puerto Rico at the Olympic Games. Isler says, ” Lou is a hard worker, and what I want our Young Riders to see is that it’s this determination and perseverance that’s important, not just the ribbons and accolades.” Isler is a longtime supporter of the U.S. Young Riders in dressage. Isler chooses riders to sponsor based largely on their work ethic and talent. She donated funds that enabled Courtney King-Dye (who, incidentally, was a student of Denizard’s while she was a child) to travel to the 2008 World Cup Finals in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, in March 2008. Isler again sponsored King-Dye when she went to the Olympic selection trials in June. Of Denizard, King-Dye says, “Lou was my first real trainer, and I am so thankful for that because he gave me such great training basics. He also exemplified the integrity and ethics that all horse people should have. I have so many memories of these sudden epiphanies in my lessons with him that were really the foundation of training a horse but were completely magical to me in the moment. I feel extremely lucky to have had my start with such a wonderful person and trainer.”

Isler has also been a premier sponsor at major east coast shows and the annual Wellington Junior/Young Rider Clinic organized by Dr. Cetty Weiss in Florida and the Palm Beach Derby. She has worked with the Dressage Foundation for two years and established the “Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund,” which provides grants for Young Riders accepted to the USDF FEI JR/YR Clinics.

Isler explains that she appreciates a solid work ethic. She grew up wanting to ride but was not able to be around horses because her family did not have the financial means to provide her lessons. Because of her background, establishing a fund that enables deserving riders to continue their education is very important to her. Denizard is also a self-made horseman who cleaned stalls and swept aisles for years for the privilege of riding and being around horses. He says he was told to “pick up a broom” when he first started hanging around a stable as a teen, and he hasn’t put the broom back down since then.

October 2008 will be a busy month for Denizard. Before the Silent Auction, he is moving his training center to Treasure Coast Farm in Palm City, Florida. This new facility, owned by Tom Mikes, boasts a hurricane-ready barn, two full-sized outdoor dressage arenas, and an insulated indoor arena. Treasure Coast Farm also has large pastures and a galloping track on its lush 25 acres. Leaving the cold New England winters will not be difficult, but leaving his clients and friends to build a new business is a daunting task.

With his competitive sights set on the World Equestrian Games and the Central American Games in 2010, training out of Mike’s world-class facility and being with many of the top dressage riders and trainers year round will increase Denizard’s exposure and build him into a stronger international competitor. The move will also allow Denizard to be closer to Puerto Rico where he teaches and plans to build more business.

If you would like to donate to the silent auction or have questions, fill out the donation form or email Jen at jkoppy@comcast.net. Also, feel free to post this article on your blog if you’d like to help spread the word!

“The U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Dressage Team is made up of some of the most talented riders in the sport,” said Pam Lane, USEF Director of Para Equestrian and Vaulting. “Currently, the U.S. is ranked fourth in the world. Everyone is very excited about representing the United States in Hong Kong.”

The US Riders will compete in the team event and as individuals (click here for an overview of paralympic dressage format).

Robin Brueckmann

Radetzky, 7-year-old Trakehner gelding
Grade IV
The 2008 Paralympic Games will not be the first for Robin Brueckmann, but they will be for her horse Radetzky, a 2001 Trakehner gelding that she has trained for two years. Robin competed in the 2000 Games in Sydney and is very excited to debut her new horse in Beijing.

Robin acquired reflex sympathetic dystrophy in her right leg as a result of a fall on ice and subsequently developed paralysis there, as well. A lifelong rider, she now had to adjust to riding without stirrups. Concentrating on dressage since 1979, Brueckmann trains her own horses.

When Brueckmann is not riding, she enjoys yoga, gardening and singing.

Barbara Grassmyer

Mibis, 14-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood mare
Grade III
Barbara Grassmyer was horse crazy from an early age when her riding career began at a therapeutic riding center in Sunol, Calif. She competed in horse shows for the disabled throughout California and the United States. Barbara was an alternate on the 2000 U.S. Paralympic Team and will make her Paralympic competition debut in Beijing.

Barbara was born with Aperts Syndrome, a congenital birth defect which results in poor rotation of all joints, syndactylism of hands and feet, head and face anomalies caused by bone fusion in the skull and face and speech impediments. She is a graduate of Feather River College. When she is not riding or caring for her horse, or traveling to clinics and competitions, she enjoys reading and working as a nanny for her six nieces.

Rebecca Hart

Norteassa, 16-year-old Hanoverian Gelding
Grade II
Rebecca Hart got involved with the Paralympic movement in 1998 at a regional competition in Atlanta, Ga., that served as the selection trials for the 2000 Games in Sydney. It was there that Hart decided she wanted to aim for international competition herself. She purchased her first horse and began to train seriously for national and international competition.  Now, she’ll ride in her first Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Over the years, Rebecca has represented the United States at several international events, including the 2003 and 2007 Para-Equestrian World Championships. With her current competition horse, Norteassa, Hart won the 2008 National Para-Equestrian Championships and was named to the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team.

Rebecca was born with Familial Spastic Paraplegia, a genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and lack of control from the waist down. She grew up in Erie, Pa., and when not riding she enjoys kayaking, sailing, camping and rock climbing. Rebecca is currently a senior at Penn State University, where she is majoring in international business and accounting.

Keith Newerla

Walk on the Moon, 11-year-old Thoroughbred Gelding
Grade Ib
The 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing will be the second go-round for Keith Newerla. At the age of 21, he finished in fourth place at the Athens Games.

Keith always tries to help children with disabilities see the benefits of adapted recreation and keep a positive outlook on life, whether it is by helping coach the local youth wheelchair basketball team or teaching skiing lessons. He graduated from Minnesota State University-Moorhead in 2006 with a degree in mass communications. He currently works for Brandywine River Nursery.

Lynn Seidemann

Rolex Toltien, 10-year-old KWPN Dutch Warmblood Gelding
Grade Ib
Lynn Seidemann is a paraplegic from a 1983 snow skiing accident that left her with no feeling or function from the belly button down. She started riding with Equest 11 years ago and began competing in 1996. Riding with two side walkers and a leader, she became an independent rider by 1998. She competed at the CAN National Horse Show in St. Louis, Mo., where she won the high point award for her division and earned the highest dressage score of the show. It was at this point that her international career started.

Lynn works to promote the para-equestrian sports and volunteers time on several committees. This includes acting as the Chairman of the Para-Equestrian High Performance Eligible Athletes Committee. Additionally, she promotes disabled riders and facilities through appearances and demonstration rides.

Lynn lives in Coppell, Texas with her family. Sam, her ever supporting husband of 20 years, helps keep the family schedule running smoothly, as they are raising two kids, Nick (16) and Jena (11). Seidemann also has a full-time job as a supply chain analyst at Microtune, Inc. She has been very active in sports her entire life, competing not only in dressage, but also in basketball and tennis. She strives to excel in every endeavor, and has also won a silver medal in tennis doubles at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

Now that the B samples have confirmed all the initial findings, the process will follow the Accelerated Medication Control Procedure during and after the 2008 Olympic Games which is part of the FEI Regulations for Equestrian events at the 2008 Olympic Games (Annex G), available on the FEI Olympic website.

Evidence and written submissions have been requested from each rider, and a three-member panel of the FEI Tribunal has been appointed. Hearings will be held September 5-7 in Lausanne, Switzerland, however, it is up to the people responsible whether or not they wish to exercise or waive their right to be heard. The panel will then, in light of all the evidence received, take a decision as to the applicable sanction, if any.

An update will be provided by the FEI following the hearings (September and final decisions will be announced prior to the end of the first week in October, provided the hearings can be held as scheduled. However, these deadlines are indicative timelines, and may be affected by specific circumstances as with any legal proceeding. The competition results will be amended as indicated in the Tribunal’s final decision.

The horse and rider teams involved are:

Bernardo Alves (BRA)/Chupa Chup
Christian Ahlmann (GER)/Cöster
Denis Lynch (IRL)/Latinus
Tony Andre Hansen (NOR)/Camiro

Courtney King-Dye’s Harmony Mythilus Tests Positive For Banned Substance

It was quite a shocker to hear that Courtney King-Dye’s Olympic mount tested positive for Felbinac, which is usually applied topically for the relief of local pain and inflammation. The FEI held off on making a public announcement until after the results of the test B sample were in.

After reading the article on Equisearch, I’m pretty convinced that it was an accident.

Mythilus was treated in the equine clinic at Sha Tin when he arrived for artrial fibrillation as a result of stress from his trip. He was attended by their doctors as well as the USEF Veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell. Neither Dr. Mitchell or Courtney had ever even heard of the drug in question, and it is not manufactured or sold in the United States.

King-Dye and Dr. Mitchell believe that during treatment at the clinic, he may have come in contact with Felbinac. In discussion with King-Dye, USEF vets, grooms and physical therapists, no other explanation or conclusion was able to be drawn.

“Neither I nor my vets had ever heard of the drug Felbinac until we got the call about Myth’s positive test,” said King-Dye. “We were stunned and baffled. We spent the entire day doing Internet research on the uses for this drug and how it could possibly have gotten into my horse’s system. As far as we could find it is not even manufactured, approved or available in the U.S. My horse has had no soundness problems whatsoever, and I would have no need for an anti-inflammatory. Anyone who knows me knows wholeheartedly that I would never dope my horse intentionally. It is cheating; it is not putting your best against the other’s best. I have never been in a more torturous and frustrating situation; trying to prove innocence is very hard. It saddens me beyond description that my whole reputation could be blackened because of this situation.”

The FEI Tribunal stated in their preliminary decision that “there are circumstances in this case that makes it difficult to clear out how the prohibited substance entered into the horse’s system.”

“The USEF stands behind the FEI’s initiatives to rid the sport of doping and to protect the welfare of our horses. We are equally supportive of Courtney in this situation as this substance was unknown to any of us until a few days ago,” said USEF CEO John Long. “It seems clear that Mythilus came into contact with it without Courtney’s or Dr. Mitchell’s knowledge.”

I sure hope Courtney’s name can be cleared of this incident. From everything I’ve read about her, and her reaction to the situation, it seems pretty clear that she’s not at fault. She’s the kind of rider who is in it because she loves the horses, not the money or fame, so she’s going to take good care of them. Unfortunately, we will probably never know exactly how the drug got into Mythilus’s system.

Few people even know that there are equestrian sports in the summer Olympics, let alone the disciplines and their formats. I’m sure that exponentially fewer are aware of the Paralympics, and especially the Para-Dressage. Since I’ve been volunteering at a therapeutic riding facility and working intimitely with physically and mentally disabled children and adults, I’m probably more aware than most. And I am absolutely thrilled that there is international competition and recognition for riders with disabilities. I love the fact that just about anybody is capable of getting on a horse and enjoying the experience if they’d like. And I love that people with disabilities who may not be able to do other physical activities can ride — and build wonderful relationships with horses.

Because of some limitations, the format for the Paralympic equestrian competition varies from that of the Olympic equestrian events. Dressage is the only disciple included. It looks something like this:

About The Paralympic Riders

The Paralympics are open to riders age 16 and up and, like the Olympics, is one of the few sports where men and women compete as equals. Riders who qualify to compete must have a measurable physical or visual impairment. They are rated according to their disability profile and classication, receiving a “Grade,” and then are judged against other riders who have been given the same Grade. The Grades are Ia, Ib, II, II, IV with Ia being the most seriously impaired and Grade IV the least. The athlete’s condition can be caused by illness or accident, and common conditions include multiple schlerosis, cerebral palsy, amputation, paralysis and blindness.

Riders with similar levels of impairment can compete together. The competition within each Grade is then judged on the skill of that rider on the horse regardless of the rider’s impairment. Due to the lack of change in most disabilities, riders tend to stay in the same grade throughout their riding career, although on occasion athlete’s conditions can improve or deteriorate, thus their grade changes.

Riders who are physically impaired are allowed to carry or wear formally documented and approved compensating aids to compete, while riders who are visually impaired or blind can make use of authorized audio aids.

In the 2008 Paralympic Games, 73 athletes from 28 nations will compete in Para-Equestrian Dressage. Among them, 12 nations will compete in team competitions.

• Grade Ia: 13 athletes
• Grade Ib: 15 athletes
• Grade II: 18 athletes
• Grade III: 11 athletes
• Grade IV: 16 athletes

About the Paralympic Horses

The horses used in the Paralympic Games must be a minimum of 6 years of age. Some riders train their own horses, though some require help as they cannot ride for long periods of time. Horses are not always owned by the riders. In fact, many top level Dressage horses combine a career in able-bodied and Para-Dressage, or move to Para-Dressage when they retire from the able-bodied sport.

Paralympic Dressage Format

Para-Dressage riders perform two tests for individual competition: a Championship Test with set movements determined by the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee, and a Freestyle test which is set to music and must include several set movements (also defined by the IPEC). The test should clearly show the unity between rider and horse as well as rhythm and harmony in all the movements and transitions.

The Paralympic equestrian competition also includes a team test. Teams consist of 3-4 riders from the same country, with at least one rider who is a Grade I or II. The team’s final score is a combination of the best three performances in the Team Test and the individual Championship Test. If a team consists of four riders, the least successful total score is excluded from the final score.

There is also an optional competition called the Pairs Freestyle to Music in which two riders compete together as a pair in a Freestyle Test.

Riders in Grades Ia, Ib, II, and III compete in a 20×40 meter arena. Grade IV riders perform in the standard 20×60 meter dressage arena.

Medals are awarded for each Grade in the Individual competition, as well as one team set of medals.

• History and overview of the Paralympics

Just as there are Olympic equestrian events, there is also Paralympic Equestrian compeititon, dressage to be exact. Not familiar with the Paralympics? Here’s a quick run-down.

Paralympic History

In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organized a sports competition involving World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries in Stoke Mandeville, England. Four years later, competitors from the Netherlands joined the games and an international movement was born. Olympic style games for athletes with disabilities were organized for the first time in Rome in 1960 and were first referred to as the Paralympics. In Toronto in 1976, other disability groups were added and the idea of merging together different disability groups for international sport competitions was born. In the same year, the first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Sweden.

Today, the Paralympics are elite sport events for athletes from six different disability groups. They emphasize, however, the participants’ athletic achievements rather than their disability. The movement has grown dramatically since its first days. The number of athletes participating in Summer Paralympic Games has increased from 400 athletes from 23 countries in Rome in 1960 to 3806 athletes from 136 countries in Athens in 2004.

The Paralympic Games have always been held in the same year as the Olympic Games. Since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games and the Albertville 1992 Winter Paralympic Games they have also taken place at the same venues as the Olympics. In June 2001, an agreement was signed between the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee securing this practice for the future. From the 2012 bid process onwards, the host city chosen to host the Olympic Games will be obliged to also host the Paralympics.

The Paralympic Movement actualizes its motto, “Spirit in Motion” , where the athletes’ sporting ability, not their disability, is emphasized. Through sports, every person has the ability to develop their potentials and achieve self-determination and success. The movement has expanded vastly in the past years and brought a new horizon to elite sports.

Participant Classification

Traditionally there are athletes who belong to six different disability groups in the Paralympic Movement: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability and a group which includes all those that do not fit into the aforementioned groups (les autres).

Classes are determined by a variety of processes that may include a physical and technical assessment and observation in and out of competition. The classes are defined by each sport and form part of the sport rules.

Classification is an ongoing process. When an athlete starts competing, they are allocated a class that may be reviewed throughout the athlete’s career. Sports certify individuals to conduct the process of classification and these officials are known as classifiers.

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games

September 6-17

After a less than two-week break to recover from the Olympics, Beijing will also host the 2008 Paralympic Games on September 6-17. The equestrian competition will take place September 7-11. The para-dressage will be held in Hong Kong at the venue in Sha Tin where the Olympic show jumping and dressage were also held.

I’ll be providing coverage of the Paralympic equestrian competition just like I did for the Olympics. So come back to find out more about how Paralympic dressage works, who is competing, and other news and stories.

• How Paralympic Dressage Works
• International Paralympics Committee Website
• 2008 Paralympics Equestrian Website
• 2008 Beijing Paralympics Website

The Stable Scoop is one of a very few equine podcasts available online. It is run by two horse and web people, Glenn the Geek and Helena B. They focus on…

• Horse News: Our spin on the equine news of the week.
• Stable Spotlight: Every week we highlight a stable from around the country and chat with the owners.
• Big Time Interviews: We will be interviewing the big names from time to time but mostly we will focus on the average horse person.
• 2010 Games Update: Glenn the Geek lives in Lexington, KY and will keep you up to date on the latest with the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
• Vet Checkup: Just checking in to see what’s new and upcoming in horse health.
• Equine Blog Report: We let you know the latest in the horsey blogging world.
• Chatting: Mostly just chatting with you about what is important to you.

I had a blast chatting with Glenn and Helena this week, which was almost as much fun as listening to their radio show. They are knowledgeable horse people with lots of connections and podcasting experience, plus they’re just a lot of fun. Their show this week appropriately focused on the Olympics, and I was honored to be featured as their blog of the week due to my Olympic coverage this summer. I had a great time talking with them about the Olympics and what it was like to cover the Games, and what a successful series it has been for my blog.

I’m confident that their website and podcast are going to become a central resource for equine news, interviews, and horsey fun online. I’m especially looking forward to their insider’s look at the upcoming World Equestrian Games, as Glenn lives near the Kentucky Horse Park. So go check it out, and start listening to their weekly podcast which is published every Friday morning.

You can listen to this week’s Stable Scoop episode right here on Regarding Horses, and if you like it be sure to stop by iTunes and subscribe to the podcast. (Just FYI, my segment comes on at 22 minutes).

If you take some time to listen to the podcast or stop by the site, be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Listen or Subscribe to The Stable Scoop Radio Show:

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The drug test results – positive for capsaicin in each case – were announced Thursday afternoon by the sport’s international governing body. Capsaicin, a derivative of chili peppers, is prohibited for its pain-relieving properties. It is applied topically, not given orally.

The horse Camiro, ridden by Tony Andre Hansen, was part of Norway’s bronze-medal team, and the team could lose its medal. The other three horses are Ireland’s Lantinus, ridden by Dennis Lynch; Brazil’s Chupa Chup, ridden by Bernardo Alves; and Germany’s Coster, ridden by Christian Ahlmann. Hansen, Lynch, and Ahlmann had qualified to ride in today’s individual competition, but were disqualified.

The Federation Equestrian Internationale is holding off on the decision to revoke the bronze medal until after test results have been confirmed. Another round of tests on medical samples from the horses will take a week, the FEI said in a statement. A hearing on the second round of tests is to be held by Sept. 8, and a final decision issued by the first week of October.

Some suspect that the drug was not used as a pain reliever, but to increase sensitivity in the legs to make the horse more cautious over the fences and less likely to drop rails. That’s all speculation though, and not something that can be proved.

A New York Times article on the incident says:

Denis Lynch, the suspended Irish rider, said at a news conference on Thursday that he had used an ointment, Equi-Block, for more than a year to help warm the back muscles of his horse, Latinus, for competition. He said that he had never thought to mention it to his team’s veterinarian or noticed that the label mentioned that the ointment contained capsaicin.

Dr. Midge Leitch, a veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania who worked for the United States equestrian team at the 1988, 1996 and 2000 Olympics, said in a telephone interview that the riders might have unknowingly used products containing capsaicin. “It’s pretty readily detected, so most people would not use it knowingly at an Olympic Games,” she said.

Skin swabs are routinely taken from horses at the Olympics to test for capsaicin. Capsaicin is widely used in horse ointments, but sometimes in such small quantities that Equi-Block and other products are widely marketed as being legal for use on horses engaged in competitions.

Drugs are carefully regulated in equestrian sports not necessarily because of performance enhancing qualities, but for the horses’ welfare. They can’t tell their riders if something hurts, and if even a mild pain reliever is masking soreness it’s possible to accidentally push a horse too far and seriously injure him. The problem, however, with drug testing is that commonly used drugs can remain in the equine system for weeks, and it’s easy to use an ointment or something with a banned substance unknowingly. A horse may get a cut, and the groom may use a common ointment without realizing it contains a banned substance.

That’s not to say that these horses weren’t potentially doped on purpose. We really have no way of knowing. If it was an accident, it’s very unfortunate. However, the rider is the one whose reputation is on the line, and they are responsible to let the people working with their horse know what is safe and what isn’t. Either way, it’s a hard lesson to learn.

When it comes down to it, the potential of tarnishing your international reputation definitely isn’t worth a gold medal, or bronze in this case. Even more unfortunately, a doping case is likely to get much more media attention for our sport than any of the phenomal performances put out by the horses and riders.