Phl may lose SEAG equestrian gold, silver

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines could lose a gold and a silver medal in equestrian in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur after Fil-Am John Colin Syquia’s mount Adventure E was reported to have failed a dope test.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal announced late last month in its adverse analytical finding that Adventure E tested positive for sedative Clomethiazole, a banned substance on the FEI’s Prohibited Substance List.

The finding resulted in the provisional indefinite suspension of Syquia, since he is the person responsible, while the horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

The dope testing by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited lab in New Delhi, India was done during the actual SEAG equestrian competition from Aug. 25 to 28 in Kuang Rawang in Selangor, Malaysia.

Syquia was actually notified of the suspension from the date of notification, which was on Sept. 21.

The suspension may strip the Philippines of one of the 24 golds it won in the KL SEAG.

It may also cost the country another silver in the team jumping alongside Chiara Sophia Amor, Joker Arroyo and Marie Antoinette Leviste.

The Phl finished sixth with a total haul of 24 golds, 33 silvers and 64 bronzes.

Syquia may also be asked to return the incentive he received for his medal feats.

Under the revised Republic Act 9064, SEA Games medalists get P300,000 for the gold, P150,000 for a silver and P60,000 for the bronze.

The SEAG Federation has yet to officially announce its decision on the matter although athletes found positive of banned substances were stripped of their gold medals in the past.

Syquia, a 46-year-old rider who has competed in the Florida circuit, made an impressive SEAG debut after copping the gold in a jump-off.

After two rounds, Syquia wound up tied with five other competitors but clocked 37.63 seconds in the jump-off to shock local riders Sharimini Cristina Ratnasingham and Dato Seri Mahamad Fathil Qabil Ambak, who timed in 41.30 and 41.66, respectively.