Britain has lost its team and individual young rider European Championship gold medals after Harry Charles’ ride tested positive for a controlled medication substance. Harry has been disqualified from all results at the event last July, meaning he loses his individual gold and Britain drops to team silver as a result of the test. The result was caused by accidental transference of a skin cream, used by an “innocent party” who uses it to treat an advanced cancer-related skin condition. It was transferred to Vivaldi du Dom when she stroked the horse. The 14-year-old gelding tested positive for lidocaine, a topical anaesthetic. Harry was given the choice of accepting an administrative procedure or asking for a hearing with the FEI Tribunal, but after the horse’s B sample also tested positive for lidocaine, he this week accepted the administrative procedure. This means he has to pay a fine of 1,500 CHF (£1,147) and costs of 2,000 CHF (£1,530) to include testing of the B sample, but no suspension from competition.
