2 Saudi Olympic riders banned after horses test positive

Saudi Arabia will miss two top riders in the equestrian event of the London Olympics after their horses tested positive for banned substance.

Khaled Abdulaziz al-Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly will be banned for eight months after their horses tested positive for anti-inflammatory substances at separate events in the Middle East, the International Equestrian Federation announced on Wednesday.

Al-Eid, the 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze medallist, and Sharbatly, who won silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, had their cases heard in April, Xinhua reports.

The Federation suspended both riders to October, back-dating the suspensions to when they voluntarily suspended themselves in February on news of the positive tests for controlled medications, which are prohibited in competition but allowed outside events.