In the March 2009 issue of the Quarter Horse Journal, tucked away on the very last page of the magazine which is traditionally the home of “Bits and Pieces”, was an interesting article titled “Testing the Field.” The one page article was written by Cam Foreman, AQHA’s Executive Director of Shows/Regional Services and provided a three-year review of AQHA’s “stepped-up” drug testing program.
Mr. Foreman states that the reason the AQHA Executive Committee approved the expansion of AQHA’s drug testing program in 2005 was because “The perception was that ‘everyone’ was drugging horses to show.”
However, AQHA’s findings over the past three years prove that statement false. The article reveals that in 2008, there were just 56 positive results out of 3,412 total blood and urine samples tested, or 1.6 percent. The tests are performed by the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) and Mr. Foreman urges that “Exhibitors should have confidence in AQHA’s drug testing program. USEF’s drug testing lab has decades of research and practice behind it.”
The increased testing is the result of shows charging exhibitors $3.00 per horse which AQHA reports brought in approximately $875,000. Mr. Foreman adds that “In 2008, AQHA spent more than $914,000 on drug testing at weekend shows alone, and spent approximately $110,000 in drug testing at the World shows.”
What the article does not address is the perception by many that the druggers are much more sophisticated than the testing process and are able to stay one step ahead by using substances that are not currently being tested for. Although the USEF may have sophisticated testing processes, it is believed by some that there are ‘concoctions’ that the druggers can administer which will go untested and still achieve the desired results.
GoHorseShow.com is curious what our readers think and we’ve created a poll to allow you to give us your opinion.
In your opinion, has AQHA’s “stepped up” drug testing made enough of a difference in the past three years to deter people from drugging their horses at shows?
Voice your opinion on this issue by clicking on “CAST YOUR VOTE” in the poll located on the upper right-hand corner of this page.
