It has been a long time coming, but the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has finally ruled that Camiro, the Norwegian horse ridden by Tony Andre Hansen during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing had been using a banned substance. The doping allegations have been ardently denied by everyone involved in Norway’s equestrian circle, but the Federation’s ruling is final. Read the full story

MBL.is reports that there has been a large increase in sales of thoroughbred Icelandic horses to other counties. The weakness of the Icelandic krona is making the highly desirable, but also expensive, Icelandic horse more affordable overseas.

“A good horse is a good investment and much more sensible Read the full story

Although an official hearing still has to be held, the Olympic doping charges levelled against Norwegian equestrian athlete Tony Andre Hansen and his horse Camiro have been confirmed. If Hansen cannot provide evidence refuting the doping allegations, the International Equestrian Federation (IEF) will take back his bronze medal, according to Aftenposten.

Hansen says he will fight the charges all the way to the end since he and his team still can’t understand how the banned substance capsaicin got onto his Read the full story

Doping tests on Camiro, the horse ridden by Norwegian Tony Andre Hansen in the Olympics team jumping event, have come back positive. Both the horse and rider have been suspended from further Olympic events and face losing the bronze medal if a second doping test proves positive.

Hansen, who is one of the world’s best equestrians, was barred from competing in the individual jumping competition, an event in which he had an excellent chance of taking home gold. Norway’s entire equestrian team is shell-shocked, unable to explain how an illegal substance got into their horse Camiro.

International Equestrian Federation (IEF) officials issued a preliminary report stating a banned salve that reduces pain, capsaicin, had been found on Camiro’s legs. Speaking to Aftenposten, Hansen said he could not understand why the salve would have been on Camiro’s legs because the horse was in excellent form at the time of the event. “I feel really down right now,” Hansen admitted. “This is a huge shock for me. I don’t have any explanation for how this could have happened, and I need time to figure it out.”

Although Olympic officials have yet to confirm that Norway will be stripped of its bronze medal in the team event, it seems likely. Three other horses from Ireland, Brazil, and Germany also tested positive in the A-test for capsaicin and were summarily suspended. Norwegian sports officials pride themselves on being leaders in the campaign against doping, so this news comes as a painful blow to their reputation.