French eventer suspended for six months

French eventer Maxime Livio has been suspended from the sport for six months after his horse tested positive for a sedative.

Controlled medication

Maxime Livio came fifth at WEG last year, but his horse Qalao des Mers was later found to have tested positive for the sedative Acepromazine (ACP).

Under FEI rules ACP is a ‘controlled medication’ which means it can be used to treat horses, but is not allowed during competition.

Pay costs

In addition to the six-month suspension, Maxime has been fined CHF 2,500 (£1,750), and will have to pay for the B sample analysis and contribute towards the costs of the judicial process.

The FEI’s final decision follows last month’s disqualification of Maxime and the entire French eventing team from WEG 2014. As a result, France has lost its Rio 2016 Olympicqualification.