Top Irish showjumper Jessica Kürten, whose horse Castle Forbes Maike tested positive for a prohibited substance in May, lashed out at her detractors in an outburst in front of RTÉ television cameras on the final day of the European championships in Mannheim, Germany, yesterday.
The world number four was tight-lipped as she left the arena after seeing her medal hopes evaporate with two fences down in the penultimate round of the championships, but she let fly on the first and only occasion she had spoken to RTÉ television during the championships.
"I think there's a pack of arseholes in Ireland who are trying to give me a bad time," the 37-year-old snapped at RTÉ reporter Shane O'Donoghue. "The only one thing you should know, the positive test was not Libertina, it was Maike and it's about time people left me alone.
"I never doped my horse, ever, and I will prove it," she finished, wagging her finger forcefully at the microphone as she rode away.
Kürten was close to tears when interviewed by German television ARD. She immediately pulled out of the final round, claiming she was too distressed to ride. She was eventually ranked in 20th place overall.
Kürten's husband claimed earlier in the day that the leaking of news about the positive test had been timed to sabotage her bid for an individual medal at the European championships.
Eckardt Kürten, who acts as his wife's manager, claimed the leak was malicious and had been timed to have maximum effect on her individual performance once the team competition was over and Ireland's bid to earn an Olympic qualifying slot had failed.
Speaking to a German press agency (DPA) yesterday, Mr Kürten said he and his wife were clean and that they had done nothing wrong. He also said the sample tested positive to the lowest grade of prohibited substance.
The five-grade system previously used by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) was replaced in June of last year and, for the first time, a distinction was made between doping and medication. Under the new FEI equine anti-doping and medication control rules, there are now three categories - doping, prohibited medication A, and prohibited medication B.
Ms Kürten was officially notified of the positive test on Castle Forbes Maike just before the championships in Mannheim. The mare was tested at a French show in La Baule in May where she won the €100,000 Grand Prix. Ms Kürten was given the option of paying a 500 Swiss franc (€307) fine and returning her prize money but she has put the matter in the hands of her solicitor.