The Swedish National Sport Board (RIN) has overruled the decision of the Swedish Equestrian Federation Disciplinary Board to suspend young rider Sara Henriette Bergstrom Kallstrom following a positive medication test on her horse Garcia.
Sara Henriette's 14-year old Swedish warmblood mare Garcia tested positive to the banned substance Flunixin at the CDN Djursholm 18 - 20 September 2009. The disciplinary committee of the Swedish Equestrian Federation suspended the rider for four months as of 12 March 2010.
The case caused an uproar in Sweden as the young rider proved that her horse got 'contaminated' with this medication because he was stabled at the show in a box where a horse stood that was treated with Finadyn and Phenylbutazone for laminitis.
Bergstrom Kallstrom's lawyer immediately appealed the decision of the disciplinary board and RIN has now ruled in her favour. RIN decided that a rider can not be suspended if s/he can prove his or her innocence in the matter (Swedish FN rule 10.5.1).
The young rider, who trains with Jan Brink, is now relieved from her suspension but RIN confirmed that Garcia has to remain disqualified from the Djursholm competition as he was carrying a banned substance in his body.
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Bergstrom Kallstrom Suspended due to Positive Medication Test