Antidoping controls were implemented during the past Triple Crown in Argentina for the first time ever. But what does this change implies? Up to date, polo was the only equestrian sport that didn’t include antidoping tests within the rules.
Argentine polo is the best in the world, and so are the horses. However, some rules related with the care and welfare of the horses were more flexible. So, Argentina has been left behind from the implementation of these controls in the last years, although working on the idea to include these controls in the competition. PoloLine spoke to Inés Morikawa, a veterinarian of the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Association to explain more about this important issue.
How is the procedure of the antidoping control?
In order to made antidoping controls, it was decided to make it in the three finals of the Triple Crown, this year – that means, Hurlingham, Tortugas and Palermo. The procedure is as follows – before the start of a match, two players from each team are eligible. Then, we choose two horses, one per player, according the list from 1 to 8, and then those horses in the waiting, also according to a number. Once players and horses have been chosen, a sample is taken from each team. We have the services of the Jockey Club Open, that has a remarkable laboratory, which is highly renowned in Latin America and around the world because of its procedures and guidebooks, so we trust their knowledge and their experience; they are used to make antidoping controls on thoroughbred racing horses. So, we adapt those controls to polo, the different drugs we need. And to achieve that, we took advice with the Chief Service, Alberto Costa. Together, we set a plan up especially for polo.
What are the differences with other antidoping controls?
With regards to drugs, these year we are searching for cardiotonic drugs, those that stimulate the heart, because we know the temperatures are high, the grounds are demanding, a final is very demanding. And those cardiotonic drugs as well as stimulants or bronchodilator encourage the horse to breath more; also, anasethetics in the event a horse doesn’t feel pain, because it could be very dangerous for both the player and the horse. If a horse doesn’t feel pain, is in danger to suffer an injury o fall on the ground, therefore, it’s very dangerous for the health of the horse and the players. Slowly, we will be ading some more drugs. We are going step by step.
How about if a positive doping is found? Which are the sanctions?
On that regards, the concept is the same – we are going slowly, building, raising awareness. If there’s a positive doping this year, there will be a warning for the player, who will receive a letter to explain that he won’t be able to take anything, that there are drugs that are researched specially for the horses. There will be tougher sanctions next year.
The antidoping controls were well received?
As happens with everything that is new, there’s always some resistance with regards of the complications to handle it, and really is otherwise. This obliges to take better care of the horses, without medication. It’s been done for years, but in other way, and we propose a change to improve. In addition, we are doing this slowly. We are very proud, we have the service provided by the Jockey Club laboratory which, as I said, it’s renowned on a worldwide lvel. When a sample is taken, we have people from the laboratory and different associations, and everything is very well documented.