The FEI Tribunal has issued its final decision in the case involving France’s Maxime Livio and horse Qalao des Mers at the eventing competition of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, following a positive finding for a controlled medication substance.

The FEI Tribunal has imposed a six-month suspension on Livio, effective immediately from yesterday, May 7, in accordance with Article 169 of the FEI’s General Regulations and Article 10.2 of the Equine Controlled Medication Rules. Livio has also been fined about $2,695 and will have to cover the B sample analysis costs and contribute towards the costs of the judicial procedure.

Samples taken on Aug. 29, 2014, from Qalao des Mers returned positive for hydroxyethylpromazine sulfoxide, a metabolite of the sedative acepromazine. Acepromazine is a controlled medication substance on the FEI Prohibited Substances List. Controlled medications are substances that are regularly used to treat horses but which are not allowed in competition in order to maintain a level playing field. 

The FEI Tribunal last month disqualified Livio and the French eventing team from their placings at the World Games. Livio finished fifth in the individual competition and was also a member of the fourth-placed French team. As a result of the team disqualification, France has lost its 2016 Rio Olympic Games slot.

The FEI Tribunal ruled on the disqualification of Livio and the French team in last month’s partial decision following a request from the FEI that the tribunal rule separately on this element of the case due to the consequences regarding Olympic qualification. 

View the FEI Tribunal’s final decision on this case.

Livio was also recently cleared in a different case, involving a horse he catch-rode in Thailand last November. That horse’s B sample was negative for a banned substance.