2 Saudi riders banned after horses test positive

GENEVA - Saudi Arabia will miss two top horsemen in the London Olympics equestrian event after their horses tested postive for banned substance, the International Equestrian Federation announced on Wednesday.

Khaled Abdulaziz al-Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly will be banned for eight months respectively after their horses tested positive for anti-inflammatories at separate events in the Middle East, said the Federation (FEI).

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

The FEI suspended both riders to October, backdating 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.