Chad Keenum, of The Plains, Va., has received a six-month suspension from the U.S. Equestrian Federation after two of his horses tested positive for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a banned substance, in excess of normal physiological levels.
True Colors tested positive at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series Horse Show (Pa.), June 23-28, 2015, and Vanderloo tested positive at the Loudoun Benefit Horse Show (Va.), June 10-14, 2015. Both horses were owned by Keenum at the time of the positive tests.
The USEF’s Hearing Committee result stated that, “Mr. Keenum’s counsel asked him to confirm that he did not give or direct the giving of GABA to either horse. Other than recounting the number of times he had been previously tested at Licensed Competitions, Mr. Keenum offered little other testimony on direct. On cross-examination, Mr. Keenum had no real explanation for how two horses could have tested positive for GABA, and he did not testify to any efforts that he would make in the future to safeguard his horses.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Keenum’s suspension will begin Feb. 1 and end on July 31. He was also fined $6,000 and directed to return all trophies, prizes, ribbons and money won by both horses.
Keenum did not wish to comment on the results of the hearing when contacted.
