I was surprised and disappointed to see recent reports in a UK newspaper about an alleged doping during a junior showjumping competition. This was a BSJA Junior Showjumping Championship in Jersey and as such quite a major event for the area. I know from my own experience that most competitors and parents take their competitions seriously given the time, effort and money involved, but this is still a long way from doping horses or ponies to influence the result.

It is reported that the mother of one of the competitors was seen feeding mints to some of the ponies prior to the competition. A couple of the ponies became unsteady on their feet. It was alleged that this could be a fast acting sedative Acetylpromazine (ACP), and a mint and blood samples were sent away for analysis. Due to safety concerns, the competition as cancelled.

The mother is reported to be ill due to stress. I find this response a little strange as if I was wrongly accused of something, I would be mad but know that the analysis would prove me right and then the allegations would have to be withdrawn.

The latest update is that analysis has indicated the presence of ACP. The police are not going to press any charges but BSJA will review this. There are no rules in the BSJA Rulebook to cater for such an event so it will be interesting to see how they deal with this problem.

It seems that parents are increasingly more competitive than their children. An incident involving a father running onto a US Football field to karate kick another player who had done a late foul on his child has recently been shown on US TV. These are both supposed to be hobbies which should be fun to take part it, so why is it now important to the point where injuring someone is even considered as an option. Both of these events occurred around September 11th 2006, which I would hope would put the importance of hobbies into proper perspective.