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Mother who doped ponies 'to help her child win showjumping event' is banned from sport
Last updated at 23:22pm on 01.11.07
Kim Baudains fed strong sedatives to five horses
A mother who allegedly drugged ponies to help her child win a showjumping event could be banned from the sport for four years.
Kim Baudains, 36, was questioned by police over claims that she fed doped mints to five ponies belonging to rivals of her 11-year-old son Josh.
The ponies, which were competing in the British Show Jumping Association's U16 championship last year, later tested positive for the tranquilliser acetylpromazine, or ACP.
Although Mrs Baudains admitted feeding the animals Polo mints, she denied drugging them. She also accused parents of attempting to "slur" her name.
However, an independent inquiry carried out by equine officials yesterday ruled that, "on the balance of probabilities", she was guilty of drugging the ponies.
She is expected to be banned from all gymkhana events for four years at a meeting of the BSJA next month.
The inquiry heard how concerned parents spotted her feeding mints to several ponies waiting to compete, some of which were forced to retire early in the competition after becoming lethargic.
Police were unable to press charges against the mother of two, however, due to a loophole in Jersey law which means it is not illegal to give sedatives to animals.
In July, three of the families whose ponies were drugged said they were considering legal action against Mrs Baudains, claiming their children's lives were put at risk.
Mrs Baudains, of Jersey, was unavailable for comment yesterday.
