Charlotte Dujardin banned from dressage over horse whipping video | Other | Sport
Charlotte Dujardin has been handed a one-year suspension from dressage events following the horse-whipping scandal that saw her withdraw from the 2024 Olympics.
The 39-year-old had been provisionally suspended in July by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) after “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of animal welfare”.
The decision was made after disturbing video footage was leaked online purportedly showing Dujardin whipping the horse 24 times in the space of a minute.
Dujardin, a two-time gold medal champion in the individual event at the Olympics after winning at London 2012 and Rio 2016, announced she would be pulling out of what would have been her fourth appearance at the Games.
The dressage Olympian withdrew from the Paris Games just days before the equestrian event was due to begin, admitting that she had made an “error of judgement” during a coaching session four years ago.
After waiting five months for the outcome to the FEI’s investigation, Dujardin has been barred from the sport for one year, serving her ban from the time of her provisional suspension.
A statement read: “The FEI carefully reviewed the Video, and counted more than 20 hits of the whip.
“Such use clearly amounts to an excessive use of the whip which caused, or was likely to have caused discomfort and possibly pain to the horse. It is the view of the FEI that Ms Dujardin’s misconduct warrants the imposition of sanctions.
“Ms Dujardin admits that she committed Abuse of Horse, a breach of the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare the Horse, and engaged in conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport into disrepute.”
It means she will be free to return in July 2025, having previously been prohibited from participating in British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage events.
Both UK organisations have reciprocated the ban, however, meaning the Enfield-born rider cannot compete in national competition or training events during the same period.
Shortly after the controversy engulfed the Team GB camp, Dujardin released a statement on Instagram confirming she would withdraw from contention at the Olympics after issuing a grovelling apology.
“A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session,” Dujardin wrote on Instagram. “Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.
“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors. I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.”
Dujardin’s actions sparked outrage in the equestrian world as she faced calls to be stripped of her CBE, which she was awarded in 2017 for her services to equestrian. She also lost funding from a sponsor and was dropped by a charity she represented as a patron.
