The panel of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal has rendered its final decision in the prohibited substance case involving the horse Cöster ridden by Christian Ahlmann of Germany at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Ahlmann was suspended for a period of four months (120 days), which period began on the date of the application of the provisional suspension, Aug. 21, 2008, and which shall run up to Dec. 18, 2008. He was fined 2,000 CHF (Swiss francs, which converts to $1,768 U.S.) and shall also contribute 1,500 CHF ($1,289) towards the costs of the legal procedure. The proceedings in this case were assisted by Ahlmann’s counsel’s acceptance of procedures that speeded up the hearing and finalization of this case.

The horse and the rider are disqualified from the entire Olympic Games.

In reaching its conclusion the Tribunal concluded the substance at issue–capsaicin–was a “Medication Class A” rather than a “Doping” substance based on its interpretation of the list of prohibited substances