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Police probe 'pony doping' claims Ponies 'doped' at showjump event
(about 2 hours later)
Police in Jersey are investigating allegations ponies at a children's showjumping contest were doped. Police in Jersey are investigating allegations that ponies at a children's showjumping contest were drugged.
Officers were called to a qualifying round of the British Showjumping Association's junior championships in St Lawrence in Jersey on Saturday. Officers were called after competitors at the contest in St Lawrence complained animals were lethargic.
Competitors complained their mounts had been unusually lethargic. More than 30 ponies were due to take part in the British Showjumping Association's junior championships qualifying round on Saturday.
More than 30 ponies were due to take part in the event, which was cancelled immediately for the safety of the animals and their young riders. It was then cancelled for the safety of the animals and their riders. Animal blood samples are being analysed.
The chief vet for the island has taken samples of blood from the ponies Insp Richard Bree, Jersey PoliceThe chief vet for the island has taken samples of blood from the ponies Insp Richard Bree, Jersey Police
It is alleged a parent fed a fast-acting sedative to rivals' horses after being seen giving "mints" to a number of ponies.It is alleged a parent fed a fast-acting sedative to rivals' horses after being seen giving "mints" to a number of ponies.
Insp Richard Bree, of Jersey Police, confirmed the force had attended the competition and was investigating allegations animals were doped. The owner of two of the animals claimed to have seen something fall from one horse's mouth and found an acetylpromazine sedative tablet on the ground.
He said: "We did attend the competition, someone believed their pony had been doped in some way, shape or form. The drug is used to calm nervous horses for purposes such as clipping.
"The event was cancelled because they were concerned about the animals. Insp Richard Bree of Jersey Police confirmed the force was investigating that "someone believed their pony had been doped in some way, shape or form".
He said: "The event was cancelled because they were concerned about the animals.
"The chief vet for the island has taken samples of blood from the ponies and inquires are ongoing."The chief vet for the island has taken samples of blood from the ponies and inquires are ongoing.
"We are still awaiting the results of the blood tests.""We are still awaiting the results of the blood tests."
The owner of two of the animals claims to have seen something fall from one horse's mouth and found an acetylpromazine sedative tablet on the ground.
The drug is used by vets to calm nervous horses for purposes such as clipping.
Accident worriesAccident worries
Local British Showjumping Association branch chairwoman Penny Crutwell said: "We had a few ponies that were not acting in their normal manner. Island British Showjumping Association branch chairwoman Penny Crutwell said: "We had a few ponies that were not acting in their normal manner.
"We had earlier been informed that there were suspicions someone fed ponies something.
"If horses are jumping under sedation of any description it can hinder their performance and there could be an accident."If horses are jumping under sedation of any description it can hinder their performance and there could be an accident.
"It was the final of the Under-16 Show Jumper of the Year and they were competing at quite a high level.""It was the final of the Under-16 Show Jumper of the Year and they were competing at quite a high level."
It was reported one pony was so unsteady it needed assistance to be loaded into a trailer so it could be taken home. One pony was so unsteady it needed assistance to be loaded into a trailer so it could be taken home.
Ms Crutwell said senior classes in the championship had gone ahead as planned and the junior competition had been rescheduled for later this year. Ms Crutwell said senior classes in the championship had gone ahead as planned and the junior competition had been rescheduled for later in the year.