The FEI Tribunal has lifted the provisional suspensions of 11 athletes – including two jumping riders: Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Great Britain’s Henry Turrell.

Under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs) athletes have the opportunity to request a lifting of the provisional suspension in front of the FEI Tribunal.

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (Sirene de la Motte, FEI ID 103RA62) and Henry Turrell (Blaze of Glory II, FEI ID 103LD21), whose horses tested positive for the banned substance sparteine after competing at separate events in Vilamoura (POR) last month, have both had their provisional suspensions lifted as of midnight CEST on 27 April. Sparteine, an antiarrhythmic used to treat cardiac arrhythmia, is found in the lupin flower, which grows in many parts of Portugal.

The FEI Tribunal’s decision to lift the provisional suspensions was mainly based on scientific evidence presented by the two athletes which suggests the likelihood of food contamination. Additionally, the FEI List Group, which reviews the FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List annually, has recommended to the FEI Bureau that Sparteine should be reclassified as a Controlled Medication and Specified Substance from 1 January 2018.

Further details on the cases can be found here. 

Source: Press release from FEI