The statement read as follows.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) was informed by the world equestrian
governing body the FEI, at 2.15pm Hong Kong time on Thursday,
that Irish Olympic rider Denis Lynch’s horse ‘Lantinus’ had tested
positive for a banned substance and that as a result he would be
suspended from taking part in tonight’s show jumping final.
Denis Lynch and HSI officials attended a preliminary hearing with the FEI a short time ago and were informed that the
substance found in the horse was called capsaicin.
At the tribunal the FEI indicated that this substance was an
ingredient in some products in regular use.
Subsequently it was identified by Denis Lynch as an ingredient in a product called ‘Equi-block’ used by him on his horse.
‘Equi-block’ is a product used in similar circumstances to ‘Deep Heat’ used on humans and Denis Lynch explained to the tribunal that he commonly applies ‘Equi-block’ to the horse’s lower back prior to exercise.
Following this preliminary hearing today the FEI informed Denis Lynch that he remained suspended for tonight’s competition.
The FEI have subsequently confirmed that three other riders due to jump in tonight’s final at Hong Kong have also been suspended as a result of the same substance being found in their horses.
Horse Sport Ireland has confirmed that they submitted a urine sample from the horse to a voluntary screening testing process made available by the FEI on the horse’s arrival in Hong Kong and the results of this test were negative.
The horse has also been tested on numerous occasions, including
following many of its recent victories, and has tested negative on all these occasions.
