Sport & Results
Endurance Riding: Gladiador VV Disqualified After Positive Sample
During an endurance ride in Uruguay, Gladiador VV's sample tested positive for caffeine, theophylline, and paraxanthine. The plausible cause was deemed to be Mate, which the groom had shared with the gelding. The rider received a three-month suspension.
Equidara editorial team · 7 November 2026 · 1 min read
Gladiador VV has been disqualified from an endurance ride in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November 2025, following a positive sample. This was reported by the British equestrian magazine Horse & Hound. According to the report, the gelding's sample contained caffeine, theophylline, and paraxanthine. The plausible cause was identified as Mate, which his groom had been drinking and shared with the horse.
The magazine stated that the gelding had competed with Sofía Fernández, who was aiming to qualify for an Endurance World Championship with him.
Mate as a Plausible Cause
Fernández attributed the finding to the horse inadvertently ingesting Yerba Mate. According to the report, the drink, which is common in Uruguay, contains caffeine and small amounts of theophylline. The groom drank it regularly.
He stated that the curious gelding would approach him when he was drinking Mate and lick it. The groom also admitted to placing used Mate in the feed trough as a treat. He estimated this happened about seven times in the month leading up to the competition, twice in the week before the ride.
According to Horse & Hound, an expert involved in the proceedings considered the levels plausible if the horse had ingested Mate a few days before the sample was taken.
Three-Month Suspension for Fernández
The FEI Tribunal, according to the report, found no significant fault or negligence on the rider's part. It concluded there was no intention to enhance performance or deliberately administer the substances to the horse.
According to Horse & Hound, Fernández received a three-month suspension, backdated to July 2026, and a fine of 3,000 Swiss Francs.
Sources
- Curious horse failed dope test after sharing groom’s ‘tea’ (Horse & Hound) (2.11.2026)
- Titelfoto: Fondo Antiguo de la Biblioteca de la Universidad de Sevilla from Sevilla, España, Wikimedia Commons
- Lizenz des Fotos: CC BY 2.0
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Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 7 November 2026.
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