Equine Team Olympic Qualifiers Named
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which are held every four years – two years prior to the Olympic Games, have just concluded and results were used by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) to decide the automatic qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Not all equestrian disciplines that are represented at the World Equestrian Games will be on show at the Olympics, with only Dressage, Eventing and Jumping being recognized Olympic sports. Great Britain, as hosts of the 2012 Olympics, qualify automatically for these disciplines.
In Dressage those qualified as a result of their performances at the World Equestrian Games are The Netherlands, Germany and the USA. From Eventing, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Germany and Belgium join Great Britain as host nation. In Jumping, Germany, France, Belgium, Brazil and Canada qualify as the top five placed teams in Kentucky and take their places alongside the hosts in London. Australia also qualify as the top ranked team from FEI Olympic Group C or G at the World Equestrian Games.
Meanwhile, the FEI has announced that all blood and urine samples taken from horses competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were negative for all prohibited substances. Under FEI Veterinary Regulations, samples from a minimum of 5% of competing horses are tested, but almost 11% of the 752 horses competing in Kentucky were tested. A total of 140 samples were taken from 82 horses, with blood being taken from all 82, plus urine where possible. All individual medal horses were tested, as well as one member of each medal winning team. Random samples were also taken throughout the 16-day event.
"This is a great success for everyone involved in equestrian sport and is the best possible endorsement of the FEI’s Clean Sport Campaign," FEI President HRH Princess Haya said. "It also proves the value of the FEI’s educational program, as athletes and their supporters now have the knowledge to make a clear distinction between the use of routine, legitimate medication and deliberate doping to affect a horse’s performance. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining this clean record going forward."
