It was his greatest success to date: together with Congress Blue PS (by Congress), Tom Schewe finished third in Bordeaux with a double clear round, trailing only Jessica Burke and Daniel Deusser. However, that placing, along with the World Cup points and prize money, has now been revoked. During the subsequent control after the class, "3-hydroxydetomidine" was detected in his horse. Detomidine is used in veterinary medicine as a sedative for horses.
The FEI was able to expedite the administrative process and decision through a so-called "Fast-Track" procedure.
When a horse's sample tests positive for a controlled substance and it is the first violation for both the person responsible and the horse, the person responsible is given the option to utilize this "Fast-Track" procedure. This entails the individual agreeing to pay a fine of 1,500 CHF and costs of 1,000 CHF (which can increase to 2,000 CHF if a B-sample analysis is requested), while waiving the right to a final hearing before the FEI Tribunal.
Both the person responsible and the horse are disqualified from the entire event where the sample was taken, resulting in the loss of prize money or medals. However, no suspension is imposed. This administrative procedure is offered as a settlement for first-time, minor violations.
Tom Schewe remains in shock and told spring-reiter.de: "We cannot explain the positive result. I was deeply shaken because we always monitor our horses meticulously. We did not administer anything to the horse. We also had a B-sample analyzed; you don't do that if you don't have a clear conscience. Unfortunately, that was also positive in the French laboratory. We have already tried to take action through lawyers, but with the FEI, you don't have a [chance] anyway..."
