IRISH show jumper Jessica Kurten will not appear in front of a tribunal following the positive test of her horse Castle Forbes Maike for a prohibited substance.

 
Instead, an International Equestrian Federation (FEI) disciplinary committee will conduct a closed meeting to decide if she is responsible and any punishment.
Two random samples taken from Castle Forbes Maike at a show at La Baule in France last May tested positive for a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Jessica has always maintained that her horse was not given any drug, and has declined in the past to ride on a team with fellow Irish international Cian o’Connor, whose horse failed a dope test at the Athens Olympics.
A tribunal with the disciplinary committee of the FEI was set for 21 February, to discuss the medication offence with Jessica.
“After all the documents had been gathered, the FEI was of the opinion that no hearing was necessary,” said FEI spokesman Malina Gueorguiev. “We gave that option to the rider, and she decided not to appear at the hearing.”
The FEI has prepared a file of evidence from vets, laboratories and other witnesses, to send to Jessica’ s legal team - which has already run up a bill of CHF60,OOO or £2 ,000 - so they can respond to any further claims.
But Jessica’s lawyer, Dr Ulf Walz, says the FEI is trying to impose a secrecy clause before it hands over the documentation.
In a fax to the FEI dated 28 January, Dr Walz said: “By subjecting the handing over of the documents to conditions, the FEI violates several fundamental defence rights of (Jessica Kurten), especially constitutional rights and procedural rules.”
The FEI refused to comment on the situation, saying the rider now has until 28 February to respond.
The drug found in Castle Forbes Maike - Etoricoxib - is not widely known for its use in horses, and its presence is considered a minor infringement of FEI rules.
Penalties for this offence include a one-year suspension from competition and a fine of CHF15,OOO (£7,000). Jessica may also be asked to forfeit the £22,000 (£15,400) won at La Baule.

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