Drug Testing

[Time]

As no showground can offer security against ponies being "got at" or doped perhaps it would be more sensible for the showing societies to clean up the rider, handler, driver act and request random dope testing. Shows could request police forces to participate in this. This way only those taking illegal substances would be disciplined. As adults drive big trucks and compete with kids in M&M classes maybe this would be a good move forward to ensure safety and fair play.
What do you think?

[tracey coxs]

Time said:

As no showground can offer security against ponies being "got at" or doped perhaps it would be more sensible for the showing societies to clean up the rider, handler, driver act and request random dope testing. Shows could request police forces to participate in this. This way only those taking illegal substances would be disciplined. As adults drive big trucks and compete with kids in M&M classes maybe this would be a good move forward to ensure safety and fair play.
What do you think?

I think thats a Great idea its always a worry about someone giving somethink to your ponies when your staying away.These mums and dads dont do fair play there all very sad people.

[halfpass]

here we go again lets all go into a dictatorship how about everybody having to be drug tested DNA tested breath tested how about smell tested to make sure that you're not offensive to the person standing next to you in the line, we could also be finger printed so if you think someone has tampered with your pony you could call in MI6 to forensically go through the stable and the culprit be caught quickly and bang to rights, all this could be done before we even get to the show.
May I suggest that you don't judge others by your own standards, if you feel that your animal is not safe on the show ground may I suggest that you don't leave it there stable off site, for Christ sake it's not as though we are competing for large sums of money you don't have this problem with show jumpers eventers or dressage competition's its just the paranoid show people maybe you should see a doctor and get some prescription beta blockers just to calm the nerves you may then enjoy your showing and less time worrying about something that may never happen

[stephjw1]

Who would be responsible for the expense of dope testing, If these test where brought about the cost would probably be passed in someway to the competitor. i am all for suspect drivers being drug tested at the roadside but I believe that it should remain at the roadside.

[Time]

What was meant was that as no show has secure stables the showing organsations should save their horse dope testig money and instead random dope test the riders, handlers and perhaps even the officaials. They could ask the poilce to do this for them. It would make our rings fair, roads safer and give us reason to respect our judges and stewards becuase at the moment they aren't being CRB checked. So much for risk assessments.

[shelleyj]

what makes you think that there are enough people in the showing world using dope to make this worthwhile? I have problems understanding what you would hope to achieve by this? Also dope tests and CRB checks are totally different issues!

[Milliesmum]

There would still be the matter of cost to be addressed. I think something like that would have to be voluntary. Although other sports do have this at the highest levels. I don't think you would find the police willing to get involved. And there would definitely be an outcry among the riders etc. concerned!!

[desireexdressage]

i don't think the issue is widespread enough to be needing random testing. its pretty unnecessary unless a problem is suspected with good reason at a show...just what i think though.

[halfpass]

I'm still not sure how it improves my ponies performance if I'm off my face on cocain as a in-hand shower I would probably end up flat on my back, and I'm still not sure how being CRB vetted unless everybody that attends the show is also checked surely the safest place for any child is in the ring with 100 adults watching any child is more at risk outside the showring

[shelleyj]

agree hp - this is a no brainer

[Milliesmum]

The best way to protect your child is to know where they are and who with, all the time. End of. It drives me wild when people don't care where their kids are or what they're up to, as long as they are out from under mum and dad's feet. Then something goes wrong and it's everyone else's fault! Grrrrrrr!!!!!

[dimpledo]

I feel that if horses could talk they certainly wouldnt agree to having to take a banned substance just to win wheres all the fun gone in riding. Some riders give there horses ACP at local shows why! It goes beyond me. My horses only have drugs administrated by a vet e.g tet and flu , teeth, clipping and injury.

[skint]

Personally I couldnt afford to get drugged up what with the cost of fuel. Mind you I am off my head without any banned substances anyway

[Milliesmum]

Skint, I'm going to start calling you mushroom - because you're such a fun guy (fungi - geddit?)!!!

[Twigged]

This is worrying because substances like cocaine can help people have more confidence when they are nervy so they are then have an advantage when they are riding against our kids. It would be interesting to test the top 6 riders at say Olympia to check they aren't cheating in this way. Might be worht experimenting and trying testing.

As for stabling at shows it is true anyone could give a pony something without you knowing. Awful thing is they are sitting ducks waiting for it to happen.

[shelleyj]

oh please get a grip!

[Milliesmum]

Me thinks someone has an axe to grind . . . . . if this thread becomes personal in any way, it will be removed.

[smashed]

Firstly the turn the Olympia into a home produced, restricted class, now they think that the top riders at olympia need drug testing.

Doesnt anyone think that they may do well cause they practice more.

[stephjw1]

There is no way police would become involved in random dope testing, People would have to be tested ie blood test by a qualified person and ponies or horses by a vet. Think how much it costs for a blood test and analysis.
So I repeat who is going to pay for it and why is it necessary, I have shown, showjumped, evented and point to pointed and apart from alcohol (the beer tent) I have never come across any circumstances where dope testing would be necessary.
So what purpose would it serve!!!!!!!!!

[stephjw1]

MM I agree my dog does look a bit like a rabbit in the pic

[halfpass]

to start with if you were taking cocaine it would make you relaxed in fact it would make you so relaxed you'd be flat on your on your back looking at the pretty lights, and what about people with heart problems who take beta blockers would that help them to make their pony move better I don't think so, the cost of all these test would inevitably fall to the competitor and don't you think our Hobie is expensive enough, as it has already been said some people need to get a grip and stop all this paranoia, come to think of it is paranoia a side affect of drug taking ?

[Twigged]

Tests could easily be done under FEI rules and only prohibited substances would be offensive. We've read schools can offer screening so the equine organisations could as well. It would be a lot cheaper than dope testing ponies. If you are clean you have no reason to fear this idea. Maybe cocaine can make people relaxed but that puts them at far more advantage over very nervous and excited kids.
If you think showing is drug free you are very niaive.

[shelleyj]

what would be the point - how many people do you know in showing who are taking drugs? Are you saying its restricted to adults? Do you want the kids dope tested? After all children frequently beat adults in the show ring especially in M&M classes. Methinks someone has a big axe to grind here. If you have suspicions of individuals then report them to the appropriate authorities, with substantive evidence. If not then don't talk twaddle. If by your last comment you are suggesting that anyone who disagrees with you is not clean then I suggest you have the courage of your apparent convictions, log on under your real name and we'll see who is the naive one!

[halfpass]

I fully endorse what you say shelleyj and once again its a guest throwing these accusations, why don't they have the power of their convictions and become members

[shelleyj]

thanks hp!

[Twigged]

Doubt if any mother would mind their kid being tested if it was to keep showgrounds as "safe" as possible. No need to have an axe to grind this was a "clean up" idea. Remember long back when someone said on here a couple of years back that kids had been offered things to assist there nerves and keep them awake. It's a worry. You hear about adults using things in public and others driving through the night on other things. Imagine if someone on an illegal substance ran into your vehicle or you knowing stood by and watched a horsebox driven off a showground knowing what the driver was on. Wouldn't it be safer all round to at least try to stop this happening?

[shelleyj]

again, what is there to clean up, where is your evidence? Please substantiate what you're saying or it just sounds like a wild accusation against person or persons unknown

[Milliesmum]

Twigged, have you seen these instances of substance abuse with your own eyes? If so, what did you do about it? Did you take it up with the proper authorities? Or is this just based on rumours and hearsay? I'm sorry but where is the evidence to prove that this is a widespread problem in the showing world? Isolated cases, maybe, as in any sport, which if they are witnessed should be reported and dealt with accordingly. I'm sure that most of the showing world are drug-free, fair competitors who would far rather spend their money on diesel and entry fees than snort it up their nose!!!

[shelleyj]

thankyou mm

[shelleyj]

brilliant as always and my sentiments exactly
xx