A German rider has been suspended after his horse failed a doping test in Hong Kong at the Beijing Olympics, the German equestrian association said Thursday.

The banned substance Capsaicin was found in Christian Ahlmann's horse Coester on Sunday, a day before the team showjumping finals in which Germany finished fifth, German news agency DPA reported.

The International Equestrian Federation suspended the 33-year-old rider, meaning he will not be able to compete for Germany in the individual final in Hong Kong later Thursday.

Under new rules, riders and their horses can be suspended if their A samples are positive. The result of Coester's B sample is due to be announced by the Hong Kong Analytical Laboratory on Friday.

All German horses were tested for drugs before they left for Hong Kong at the beginning of August and nothing untoward was found, DPA quoted the team's veterinarian, Bjoern Nolting, as saying.

At the Athens Games four years ago, Germany was forced to hand back its team gold after failing to register medication given to one of the horses.

At Beijing Olympiad matches in Hong Kong, powerful Germans have so far won three gold medals.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)