'Truly Exceptional': The Out Of The Ordinary Dope Tests

Two unusual cases of positive samples at international showjumping competitions have recently come to light

- Eleanor Jones

THE positive dope test given by a mare who was put down after she broke a leg at the Liverpool International Horse Show is the latest in a string of unusual cases.

Dutch showjumper Sanne Thijssen’s ride Sara Galotiere, who suffered the fatal injury in a class on 30 December, tested positive for ketamine and altrenogest.

Sanne received a letter this month suspending her for six months, but says she did not know the horse had been tested.

“It was a very strange story,” Sanne’s mother Dorien said. “The vet gave [the mare] painkillers, and she was later put to sleep.

“Sanne was so sad, she wanted to stay but wasn’t allowed. We begged the vets to let her; she didn’t want her horse to die alone, but they said no. She was alone; we don’t know what happened.”

Sanne consulted vets, who said ketamine is used to anaesthetise horses, as well as being a painkiller, so they believe it may have been given due to the injury.