U.S. Polo Association’s Equine Drugs & Medications Testing Program Travels to Member Clubs
Source: USPA
June 18, 2010 (Wellington, FL) – In a continuing effort to ensure the welfare of mounts, the U.S. Polo Association (USPA) will take its pilot program for equine drugs and medications testing on the road to a number of USPA sanctioned events this summer and fall.
At their annual meeting in October 2009, the USPA Board of Governors unanimously approved a by-law change that requires individual members of the USPA to submit his or her horses for random blood and/or urine testing. The Association also amended by-laws to include disciplinary action against any member convicted of a civil animal-abuse violation.
The pilot program for equine drugs and medications testing was implemented this year with the first random drug test conducted during the annual USPA U.S. Open Polo Championship.
For players competing in USPA events this summer and fall, their mounts may be subject to testing as per the USPA Equine Drugs and Medications Program Rules. Random testing will be conducted field side after the game. The USPA asks for teams’ and individual players’ cooperation with the testing veterinarian and technician.
Representatives from the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) will identify themselves field side and will have one of the two official USPA testing badges:
During the 2010 calendar year, there will be no adjudication for violations of the USPA Equine Drugs and Medications Rules. If a horse tests positive for prohibited drugs and medications in 2010, the owner and the player of the horse will be contacted by the USPA. Commencing 2011 and thereafter, upon finding of a positive test under the USPA Equine Drugs and Medications Rules, the owner, and /or the player who competed the horse (who may, or may not, be the same person) as well as the sponsor of the team for whom the horse competed (if the horse is owned by a corporate entity) could be charged with a Conduct Violation according to USPA Rules and/or By-Laws. Such violation, depending upon the severity, may result in suspension or termination of USPA membership and exclusion from USPA competition and Member Clubs, monetary fine and retroactive disqualification from a competition.
The pilot program includes detailed information about permitted, restricted and prohibited drugs, medications and substances, as well as rules regarding enforcement and sanctions for EDMP Rules violations. The rules also include dosing recommendations for restricted medications. Complete information can be found on the USPA website at www.uspolo.org under the Equine Welfare menu.
For members who have additional questions or concerns, USPA Executive Director, Peter Rizzo, can be reached at rizzo@uspolo.org.
About United States Polo Association (www.uspolo.org)
The USPA was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts.
About United States Equestrian Federation (www.usef.org)
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) serves as the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport. USEF is dedicated to uniting the equestrian community, honoring achievement, and serving as guardians of equestrian sport. Since its inception in 1917, the Federation has been dedicated to pursuing excellence and promoting growth, all while providing and maintaining a safe and level playing field for both its equine and human athletes. The USEF trains, selects, and funds our United States Equestrian Team and licenses equestrian competitions of all levels across the United States each year. The USEF contributes to the greater good of horses by assisting with their protection and welfare in crisis situations and natural disasters, as well as in daily competition. As part of this pledge to protect equine welfare, the USEF continues to help support federal and state governments and works closely with other national equine organizations.