I don't think international federations are necessarily beholden to Emirati Sheikhs. Earlier this month Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid from Dubai was banned for 6 months by the International Equestrian Federation, and his wife is the Federation President.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/equestrianism/5967896/Sheik...

This just sounds like a dummy spit to me, but I don't follow the sport.