During a hearing held in Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 2, the FEI Judicial Committee concluded that Bettina Hoy was not responsible for the finding of the prohibited substance, Hydroxy Diphenhydramine in her German eventing team-horse, Ringwood Cockatoo. The prohibited substance was discovered through urine analysis taken after their 2004 Athens Olympic performance, where the German team finished fourth and Hoy finished ninth individually.
The FEI Judicial Committee heard testimony from the German team veterinarian, who stated that he had been given verbal approval by a veterinarian in the Olympic Veterinary Clinic for the use of a cream for treatment of lumps on Ringwood Cockatoo’s back.
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The Judicial Committee stated that while conscious of Hoy’s failure to implement the FEI regulations regarding declaration of treatment, the consultation with one of the official Olympic veterinarians facilitated the use of the cream in question and consequently led to the finding of the prohibited substance.
Therefore, the FEI Judicial Committee concluded that it would make no finding against Hoy, that she would not be disqualified and that no fines were applied.
