The USEF held a press conference April 17, 2010 in Geneva and issued the following as part of a statement by US Team Veterinarian, Dr. Tim Ober:

The FEI has indicated that Sapphire is being disqualified for what they allege is hypersensitivity of the left fore limb.

Here are the facts:

1. Sapphire's performance over the last two days was not unusual in any way. In fact, she produced the same result - 2 clear rounds - in the last World Cup Final in 2009.

2. The FEI's own Press Release acknowledges Sapphire was fit to compete last night based on an examination conducted prior to entering the ring.

3. The horse was examined a second time after the class with the same findings. At this point the horse was determined unfit to compete and disqualified. The FEI produced no authenticated, objective, qualitative test substantiating their claim and declined to conduct a normal MCP control including swabbing despite McLain's request that they do so immediately. In fact, thermography testing on both occasions indicated no abnormality.

4. This decision has been made in haste and in an irreversible way.

In my opinion this decision was incorrect, subjective and unsubstantiated. Having known Sapphire for several years - the horse is in normal form and is fit to compete.