Three Trazodone positives in less than 18 months
I don't believe in coincidences. Never did, never will. So seeing this third Trazodone case make me wonder. Cause even though the first two cases were tossed out. Why are we now seeing a third one... P
Over the past 18 months, no less than three eventing horses have tested positive for trazodone, a sedative with no place anywhere near a competition arena.
One case might be unfortunate.
Two could be argued away as bad luck.
But three?
In less than 18 months?
If anything that is the beginning of a pattern, cause as I've already stated, I don't believe in coincidences. Below is a breakdown of the cases, and why these positives should worry anyone who cares about horse welfare and clean sport.
The Three Cases
1. Paris Olympics 2024 – the Tine Magnus (BEL) case
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Magnus' horse Dia van 't Lichterveld Z tested positive for trazodone.
According to the FEI Tribunal, the source was contamination in a supplement called Relax Pro, which was provided by the national team vet. Toxicology reports confirmed trazodone in the batch.
The rider accepted a settlement: a five‑month ban and a CHF 4,000 fine. The horse’s Olympic results were disqualified.
2. Elkton 2024 - the Katie Lichten (USA) case
Shortly after Paris, eventing rider Katie Lichten’s horse HTS Jensen R also tested positive for trazodone.
The FEI Tribunal ruled it was due to “human cross‑contamination” by a support person.
Because they accepted this explanation as beyond the rider’s control, Lichten was cleared of fault and received no suspension. The horse’s results were still disqualified.
The PR’s mother stated that she used her hands to break the pill into 2/3 (it was perforated in thirds) and administered the pill by opening Henri’s [the dog] mouth and placing it at the back of his mouth, making sure he swallowed it by rubbing his throat. She also confirmed that she did not recall washing her hands after doing this because she was in a hurry, and she left immediately afterwards to drive to the event; - She confirmed that when she arrived at the event (approximately 7:45 am), she went to the barn where the Horse was stabled while the PR was preparing for the event. The mother recalled petting the Horse and feeding him peppermints. The Horse was tested at 9.40 am, urine and blood samples were collected from the Horse.
3. Hartpury 2025 – Lucy Robinson (GBR)
The newest case surfaced only recently. During the August 2025 Hartpury event, P. G. Withernay, ridden by Lucy Robinson, reportedly returned a positive test for trazodone.
As of now, a full Tribunal decision has not been published, but the case is active.
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Order NowThree cases. Same discipline. Same rare drug. All within a time span of way less than 18 months.
Equestrian sport does not regularly see trazodone positives. In fact, prior to these cases, it was virtually unheard of.
The sudden appearance of three separate positives, all for the same drug, in the very same discipline, make me wonder if there is something deeper, and way more sinister behind it, than just bad luck and or sloppy hygiene.
Some follow up questions on the topic practically ask themselves.
Why trazodone? It is not a common veterinary drug for horses in the first place.
Why only in eventing? To my knowledge no cases of trazodone contamination have appeared recently in either dressage or show jumping. According to the many cases within the FEI it has not even been seen in endurance, a sport that normally tops all the lists of bad behaviour in equestrian sport.
Why such vague explanations about the contaminations? One came from a supplement provider, but did not make much fuzz. The second from a human, and also did not make that much noice. One explanation is yet to come.
And one cannot ignore the fact the two finalised cases were treated very different from one another by the governing body that spells the FEI.
The Olympic rider ended up with months of suspension for a contaminated supplement. While the other rider was entirely cleared for “accidental human cross‑contamination,” by her sloppy mother, where is the line?
Who decides how much responsibility each athlete carries? Are wealthier federations given more benefit of the doubt? Are unsupported riders held to harsher standards?
Equestrian sport as a whole, and eventing in particular, are already under scrutiny due to horse welfare concerns, rotational falls, and catastrophic injuries. Adding unclear or inconsistent anti‑doping rulings only further shakes public trust.
Three is not a coincidence,
it's a pattern
Trazodone is a serious drug. It alters mood, behaviour, and stress response.
In humans, it’s an antidepressant with sedative effects.
In horses, its use could affect reactivity, focus and stress behaviour. All directly linked to safety, for both horse and rider. If horses are being sedated, subtly or otherwise, it puts everyone at risk.
If horses are showing up positive because of contamination in supplements or human medications, it means the system set in place to protect riders from accidental positives is not working.
And when the same unusual drug keeps showing up in the same discipline in a short time frame, that’s not coincidence, it’s a signal.
Whether the cause is intentional doping, contaminated supply chains, systemic oversight failures, or something still hidden, it's not a coincidence. Which means someone needs to act on it!
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