Norwegian rider Tony Andre Hansen appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his Beijing Olympic disqualification for doping to his horse, CAS said on Tuesday.

Hansen was disqualified from the Games and banned for four and a half months by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) after his horse returned a positive test for capsaicin.

The substance is a chilli derivative which is banned for its hyper-sensitising and pain-relieving properties.

Hansen, riding Camiro, was a member of the Norwegian team which won bronze in the team jumping competition.

"Hansen has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision rendered by the Tribunal of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI)," CAS said in a statement.

"The athlete requests the annulment of the FEI decision."

Six horses tested positive for banned substances during last year's Beijing Games as well as nine athletes.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2009)