For the first time in polo history, anti-doping was introduced during the Triple Crown Championship, the three most important tournaments in the sport.: Hurlingham, Tortugas and Palermo. What does this mean? This was the only equestrian discipline that did not have anti-doping controls in its regulations..
No one doubts that the best polo in the world is Argentine. The best horses too. However, it had by far the most lax rules regarding horse care. In recent years, Argentina, the leading country in the sport, has remained in the dark regarding anti-doping enforcement, although it has been working to integrate it into the game.
“We have spoken with Benjamin Araya, the new president of the Argentine Polo Federation, so that we can put the doping protocol into effect as soon as he wins the election. It was done, but it was suspended by the previous administration. It is essential that it be implemented in the first two Triple Crown tournaments and now in Palermo. Not only for transparency in the sport, but also for what it means to the world of horses and animal welfare. Ines Morikawa and Bill Buchanan, veterinarians at the Polo Horse Breeders Association, began working in 2021 and took on this case to make it happen. “Today we see it implemented, and year after year we work to improve the welfare of the horses,” says Santiago Ballester, who was president of the breeders’ association until a few months ago. Araya took over as president of AAP.
During the three Triple Crown Finals, a draw is drawn between which horses will play and who will test. “We have done joint work with the breeders’ association. They have drawn up a protocol and We did this by working with vets in the top five sporting organizations to raise people’s awareness. About what can be given to horses from now on and in the future and what cannot be done starting this year. In the final, when the players have a list of horses that will play, they give it to us and we draw. We go to Palenque and extract a blood sample from the mare or horse that was drawn. The result may take a week or fifteen days. We chose the Jockey Club Laboratory, because they are very serious and very experienced. We have already done that in Hurlingham and the Tortugas,” Araya explains.
What punishment will this player be punished with? “There is no penalty at the moment. We have to collect it over time and raise awareness. There are horses that need treatments to feel better, some of which are like I took diclofenac. If the vets tell us about these treatments, we will have no problem giving them to them – explains Araya. Moreover, there is something that happens in polo: if there is something dangerous on a horse, the first one who does not agree to play with it is the player, because in addition to his horse he will be in danger of breaking. But yes, there may be rare materials.
The truth is that In the anti-doping controls already implemented, during the Triple Crown Finals, unacceptable substances were found. The names of the players are not known because the AAP did not allow their disclosure. “For now, the player is being informed, so he can raise awareness among his entire team and it won’t happen again,” Araya says.
But many wonder how long it will take to implement real sanctions. “With the new management, we have incorporated several animal welfare points into the regulations“In addition to the fight against doping,” continues the new president of the association, which everyone claims has come to make profound changes. “We have included the phrase ‘zero blood’ in the regulations. This means that a horse that has a spot of blood on part of its body must be removed from the field. We are also reaffirming the two strokes allowed and making it clear that they must be with the ball in motion. The horse is our partner in the sport, if we do not take care of it, it becomes complicated,” he says.
“The spur is allowed, but the horse cannot have any marks caused by it. If so, it must leave the game. We have also included in the regulations a ban on playing without bandages. In addition, many players already use protection for the horse’s head and eyes, which is very good for their protection,” says Araya.
“On the field, the horse is not hit, and today, in certain situations, blows are. We are very committed to getting everything in order, and the welfare of the animals is part of that. The judges have the same guidelines regarding low handicap, and that applies to everyone,” he concluded.
Ines Morikawa, a veterinarian affiliated with the Argentine Polo Horse Breeders Association who specializes in animal care, adds: “It is an analysis performed on horses that participate in a sporting event; Blood samples are taken and sent to the laboratory. All sorts of substances are processed and researched that make a horse run better, breathe better, dilate the bronchi, and are tranquilizers for nervous horses; Different medications are being researched Which may affect their safety, because it may have consequences for the horse. Attention is also paid to the transparency of sports; For horse, player and sport.
The professional adds:The drawing takes place on the same day, as soon as the horse leaves the field; We wait for them to wet him, until he walks and recovers, and then we draw his blood. In many sports, for example, there is strict control because there can be no possibility of cheating, and they are based on the national lottery.
In fact, Morikawa continues, “Like everything new, there is always resistance because it may harm some kind of management and this is just the opposite. It forces us to take better care of the horses, without medications. It has been done for many years in one way, and we are proposing change to improve. In addition, we are doing it gradually. We are very proud, we outsource the service and turn to the Jockey Club laboratory, which is internationally recognized. At the moment of taking the sample, a veterinarian from the laboratory and representatives of different associations come and it is documented as well.”
Those calling for controls and more care for horses are sure to be waiting next year Not only is the protocol integrated, which is a huge step towards achieving that luxury, but also a really effective punishment against anyone who violates the rules.