Irish officials confirmed tonight that a second drugs test on Denis Lynch's Olympic showjumping horse has come back positive.
Lynch was forced to withdraw from the Games after his horse Latinus failed an initial test and the rider admitted using a cream which contained a banned substance.
Lynch has informed Horse Sport Ireland he will attend a hearing next month to explain why he was using the lotion containing capsaicin.
The 32-year-old admitted using a Deep Heat style lotion containing the ingredient on the horse’s lower back.
A three-member panel of world equestrian governing body the FEI has been appointed to the hearing which will take place in Switzerland on September 5th, 6th and 7th.
Horse Sport Ireland said tonight that Lynch had informed them he would be taking up his right to a hearing and that he intended to make himself available on any of the dates proposed by the FEI.
The FEI has requested evidence and written submissions from Lynch on the application of the banned substance.
The gold medal hopeful was suspended from the individual showjumping final in Hong Kong after drug tests returned positive.
Lynch said he has used Equi-Block - which contains capsaicin - for years to loosen up horses’ muscles.
Capsaicin is a lotion or paste derived from the chilli pepper plant that when applied can have an hypersensitizing effect, increasing a reaction to something, or act as a pain relief.
In both cases it can improve the performance of the horse.
It has always been an illegal substance but the technique to discover its use has only recently been developed.
PA