Saudi Arabia's Prince Abdullah Al-Saud rides Davos during the equestrian individual jumping second qualifier in Greenwich Park at the London 2012 Olympic Games Sunday. — ReutersLONDON – Saudi Arabia leads the standings at the Olympic equestrian team show jumping competition after a first day dominated by controversy over a veterinarian's decision to disqualify a Canadian horse. The Saudis had just 1 penalty point Sunday and were followed closely by the Netherlands, Britain, Sweden and Switzerland, all with 4 penalty points and tied for second. Standings can quickly change in the second round of competition Monday, meaning Canada in sixth place with 5 points and the United States, tied with Brazil in seventh with 8 points, are still in the running for medals. The field was narrowed from 15 teams to seven. Canadian horse Victor, ridden by Tiffany Foster, was disqualified by competition veterinarians for hypersensitivity in the left front leg. This left Canada without a drop score in the competition where the best three scores out of four riders count. Canada coach Torchy Millar said Victor had a minor sore spot on his leg, possibly from nicking himself with a hoof in the stall, and that a protest will be lodged, but that Foster is still out of the competition. The issue of hypersensitivity has followed international show jumping for years, since capsaicin – the main ingredient in chili peppers – can be used to make a horse's legs over-reactive to touch and thus jump higher. Several jumping horses were disqualified at the 2008 Olympics for testing positive to capsaicin. However, jumpers in competition can easily get small leg cuts, and the tests for hypersensitivity do not distinguish between heat in a leg caused by a minor sore or by a foreign substance. Millar said Victor was not tested for the presence of a foreign substance. “This is like getting a scratch on the finger and then saying you're not fit for competition," said Millar. “The ruling lacks any balance at all." Canada's leadoff rider Eric Lamaze, who won individual gold in China in 2008 while his team took silver there, said his teammates are determined to be on the medal podium Monday where Foster can join them. “That would be the biggest reward of all," said Lamaze. “She has the support of all her teammates." Princess Haya Al-Hussein, president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), said later at a press conference that there was no suspicion of a foreign substance. “I want to be very clear that there is no accusation of malpractice," said Haya. “We all need to be protective of the horses." The FEI president's comments were followed by those from a tearful Foster. “I just want to say I would never do anything to jeopardize the welfare of my horse," said Foster. “I feel really bad for my team."— AP
