Barrios reprimanded by FEI for failed doping test but escapes ban

The FEI Tribunal has fined Pablo Barrios after he failed a doping test last year ©FEI

Venezuelan showjumper Pablo Barrios has been fined CHF1,500 (£1,00/$1,500/€1,400) and reprimanded by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Tribunal after he failed a doping test following last year’s Central American and Caribbean Games.

Barrios tested positive for banned substance Hydrochlorothiazide during the event in Veracruz, Mexico, which saw him stripped of both his individual and team gold medals.

The 41-year-old has, however, escaped a suspension from the sport due to the fact that he claimed he was taking Hydrochlorothiazide for medical reasons, which the FEI accepted, though he has been ordered to pay all legal costs relating to the judicial procedure.

Hydrochlorothiazide is usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention

Equestrian’s world governing body has said Barrios was “negligent” after failing to realise the substance would cause an adverse doping test and that the jumper should have declared the medication he was taking.

Venezuela's Pablo Barrios has been fined but has escaped a ban ©Getty Images

“Taking into account the medical records by the Athlete, the Tribunal is comfortably satisfied that the Athlete has used the Hydrochlorothiazide for medical reasons,” the FEI Tribunal statement on the case read.

“The Tribunal is therefore comfortably satisfied that the Athlete produced corroborating evidence -in addition to his word - establishing the absence of intent to enhance sport performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance.

“The Tribunal however finds that the Athlete was negligent in performing his duty of care as a competitor.

“In this respect, the Tribunal takes note of the Parties’ submissions that a reprimand would be the adequate sanction in the case at hand.”

Colombian Roberto Teran has been upgraded to the gold medal, with team-mate Emanuel Andrade promoted to silver.

Hector Florentino of the Dominican Republic moves up to bronze.

The Colombian team have also taken team gold following Barrios’ positive test, though Venezuela’s score without their star competitor was still enough for silver, while Guatemala have been promoted to team bronze.