Four horses were eliminated from competing in the final individual show jumping competition, Aug. 21, due to drug infractions.

Norway’s Tony Andre Hansen, who’d been the top qualifier for the individual jumping rounds after posting just 1 time fault in each round so far aboard Camiro and leading his team to the bronze medal; Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Latinus; Brazil’s Bernardo Alves and Chupa Chup, and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and Coster, will not compete tonight in the individual final due to the presence of capsaicin found in each horse.

Capsaicin is classified as a “doping” prohibited substance given its hypersensitizing properties and as a “medication class A” prohibited substance for its pain-relieving properties. It is applied topically.

“It is a derivative of a chile pepper plant, which is used in human and veterinary medicine,” said Paul Farrington, member of the veterinary commission. “By producing pain relief it would affect performance, and by producing a burning effect it could enhance performance.”

The Fédération Equestre Internationale suspends all competitors who test positive in doping at the Olympic Games.

Ahlmann was notified of his suspension yesterday evening, Aug. 20, after receipt of test results by the FEI from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Laboratory yesterday afternoon. A preliminary hearing was held 10:00 this morning, Aug. 21, before a member of the FEI Tribunal, who confirmed the suspension.

The other three riders were notified earlier today, Aug. 21, upon the receipt of their positive results. All three are provisionally suspended.

“We made the decision in April to apply a provisional suspension after the A result,” said FEI Secretary General Alexander McLin. “The preference is to stop riders from competing rather than disqualifying them after the fact. It’s believed that the risks to the sport are such that it’s better to deal with these issues up front.”

Analysis of the B samples will be carried out shortly according to accelerated procedure in place for the Olympic Games. Upon report of a positive B sample, evidence and written submissions will be requested from the rider, and a three-man panel of the FEI Tribunal will be appointed. This panel will decide the applicable sanctions as early as possible and provide for a hearing to be held as necessary. The competition results will be amended as indicated in the Tribunal’s final decision.

“It is not yet determined if Norway will lose the bronze,” said McLin. “That’s a determination for the FEI Tribunal to make at a later date.”

So far 15 show jumping horses have been tested, through blood or urine or both, including one member of each medal-winning team, and more will be tested tonight. The 40 horses tested for dressage and eventing were all clean.

“This is certainly a serious blow to our sport,” added McLin. “We are very well aware of the possible implications to jumping and equestrian sports in total. It is serious because in all four cases the positive result was for the same substance. I’m not sure if we can call it a trend, but it adds to the seriousness of the case.”