Steve Guerdat has made an official statement following the news from the FEI that two of his horses, Nino des Buissonnets and Nasa, have tested positive for prohibited substances:

"The FEI has informed the Swiss show jumper Steve Guerdat that two of his jumping horses have tested positive in a control in samples taken during the CSIO5* at La Baule (FRA) from 14 to 17.05.2015. As a result, Steve Guerdat has been provisionally suspended and the two horses have been provisionally suspended for two months. Based on previous cases with identical combination of the tested substances, the FEI says in its press release that the presence of such products could be a food contamination as the FEI already has three outstanding cases from 2014 involving the same products. While the cases are still pending, all three provisional suspensions were simultaneously lifted by the FEI Tribunal.

The FEI offers to Steve Guerdat and his owner the opportunity for a preliminary hearing before the FEI Tribunal to request the lifting of the provisional suspensions and a sample B exam.

Steve Guerdat and his entire team are surprised and deeply saddened by this news. Especially as Steve’s top priority in all his daily work as a horse rider is and has always been only the welfare and health of his horses. The Olympic champion from London is known and respected far beyond the equestrian community for his horsemanship and very prudent and careful handling of all his horses.

He receives full support of his team, horse’s owners and sponsors, who have been personally informed by Steve Guerdat, and who expressed him their full confidence. All efforts are now focused on the research of the cause. Steve Guerdat is confident to be able to provide a conclusive explanation, that both cases were highly likely to involve contamination, and to request for the immediate lifting of the provisional suspension."

Source: Press release from Steve Guerdat