Sapphire Disqualification

Three horses were disqualified from competing in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 4 for hypersensitivity. Romanov, ridden by Billy Twomey of Ireland, All Inclusive NRW ridden by Denis Lynch of Ireland, and Vancouver DML, ridden by Simon Delestre of France, were declared unfit to compete by the Fédération Equestre Internationale with the unanimous agreement of the thermography team and all veterinary and FEI officials.

Fédération Equestre Internationale Bureau Member and Jumping Committee Chair Sven Holmberg of Sweden officially announced his resignation from both positions today, Feb. 10. The United States’ John Madden, the current deputy chair of the Jumping Committee, will assume the position as interim acting chair through November, when it will be filled permanently.

In light of the recent controversy over Sapphire’s disqualification at the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final due to hypersensitivity, the Fédération Equestre Internationale has undertaken a review of the protocol for thermography and clinical examination (hypersensitivity of the legs). In an effort to further strengthen the protocol, the FEI issued the following mandatory guidelines to be applied by the veterinary commissions appointed for FEI events.

“Certainly I feel a little bittersweet,” said McLain Ward after the Fédération Equestre Internationale ruled that Sapphire should not have been disqualified from Round 2 at the World Cup Final (Switzerland) in April.

After a full investigation into the facts surrounding the disqualification of McLain Ward’s Sapphire at the FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, Switzerland, the Fédération Equestre Internationale has determined that the horse was incorrectly eliminated from the second round on April 16.

However, Sapphire’s disqualification from the final round of the World Cup remains in place.

Results from leg swab samples taken from McLain Ward’s Sapphire during the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final have come back, and they contained no prohibited substances.

Last week, blood and urine samples from Sapphire, also taken during April’s World Cup, were found to be negative. This concludes the Fédération Equestre Internationale’s Medication Program Control testing.

Analysis of all urine and blood samples taken during Medication Control Program Testing at the FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Geneva, Switzerland, April 13-19, has proved negative, but analysis on leg swab samples is still being carried out.

The FEI Ground Jury disqualified Sapphire when she was in the leading position with McLain Ward at the Final because of hypersensitivity of her left foreleg. No lameness was detected.

On Sunday, April 18, the U. S. Equestrian Federation lodged a formal protest against the disqualification of McLain Ward’s horse, Sapphire at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final.

In an effort to explain the controversial decision to eliminate Sapphire from the Rolex/FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final, the Fédération Equestre Internationale held a press conference this afternoon, April 17, at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva, Switzerland.

A huge crowd that included journalists, riders, trainers and other curious equestrians packed in to hear why late last night the FEI decided to disqualify McLain Ward’s mount from Round 2 following a hypersensitivity test. 

On April 17, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, the president of the Federation Equestre Internationale, released a statement concerning the disqualification of McLain Ward's Sapphire from the Rolex FEI World Cup Final.