Abbi Jackson – crowned bronze league champion at HOYS 2017 – has been disqualified from holding the title due to a positive drugs test. Bedfordshire-based Abbi will lose her title due to her horse, the 13-year-old Christopher Robin IV, testing positive for the prohibited substances Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone from samples taken following the competition. As Abbi was aged 17 at the time of the competition, the responsibility fell to her mother Vikki Jackson, who accepted the administrative sanctions of a £500 fine and £750 costs. Abbit will forefeit all prizes and prize-money. In another incident, Rosemary Tillson loses her major veteran riders championship title at the National Amateur and Veteran Championships, Aintree, after her ride, the 19-year-old Ballinteskin Laughtons Flight was also tested positive for Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone. Again, all prizes and prize-money is forfeited and a fine of £500 plus £750 costs imposed. British Showjumping stated: British Showjumping would like to stress that there is a zero tolerance for members who choose to compete ignoring the prohibited substances list. Equine welfare is of paramount importance to the Association as is ensuring best chance of fair competition and the opportunity for Championship winners to enjoy their triumph on the day rather than respectively in this way.
Abbi Jackson – crowned bronze league champion at HOYS 2017 – has been disqualified from holding the title due to a positive drugs test. Bedfordshire-based Abbi will lose her title due to her horse, the 13-year-old Christopher Robin IV, testing positive for the prohibited substances Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone from samples taken following the competition. As Abbi was aged 17 at the time of the competition, the responsibility fell to her mother Vikki Jackson, who accepted the administrative sanctions of a £500 fine and £750 costs. Abbit will forefeit all prizes and prize-money. In another incident, Rosemary Tillson loses her major veteran riders championship title at the National Amateur and Veteran Championships, Aintree, after her ride, the 19-year-old Ballinteskin Laughtons Flight was also tested positive for Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone. Again, all prizes and prize-money is forfeited and a fine of £500 plus £750 costs imposed. British Showjumping stated: British Showjumping would like to stress that there is a zero tolerance for members who choose to compete ignoring the prohibited substances list. Equine welfare is of paramount importance to the Association as is ensuring best chance of fair competition and the opportunity for Championship winners to enjoy their triumph on the day rather than respectively in this way.