Charlotte Dujardin has been forced to withdraw from Team GB for the upcoming Olympics after a video came to light which showed her repeatedly whipping a horse on the legs.
The 39-year-old, who is Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian and was just days away from featuring at her fourth Games in Paris, has now been banned for six months by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).
In her statement, Dujardin claimed she made an ‘error of judgement’ during a coaching session four years ago and is ‘deeply ashamed’ of her actions.
The video – shown for the first time on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Wednesday – has been sent to the FEI and the British Equestrian Federation, while a complaint of animal cruelty has been filed against Dujardin by Stephan Wensing, a Dutch equine lawyer, this week.
Wensing, who is acting on behalf of an anonymous client, revealed that in the video which was recorded during a training event in the UK, Dujardin ‘hit the horse many times’ in order to ‘lift its legs further’.
‘It was a sponsored guest lesson, of which my client was the sponsor and went to watch. A girl was given a lesson with her horse, in the presence of her mother,’ Wensing told Hoefslag.
CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN STATEMENT
A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.
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.
Charlotte Dujardin, 23rd July 2024.
‘During the lesson, Charlotte hit the horse of the student many times in the gallop to lift its legs further. This while the horse was more than well-behaved.
‘My client already thought at the time that it was actually impossible, but Charlotte was an Olympic champion, so she would know how to do it.
‘Charlotte also acted as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Later she realised that this was unacceptable.
‘When more eliminations followed after similar videos with other riders, she decided to do something with it.
‘It was only on Saturday that I got the green light to send it to the FEI. She didn’t dare to do that before, because there is an enormous culture of fear. She also has no interests in other riders or teams, but couldn’t bear Charlotte to win medals at the Games.’
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Wensing added: ‘My client was present at this training and in the beginning she was not really in that [much] shock because she was thinking it was training by the best rider of the world and everything she presents, everything she will do, is okay.
‘But after that she was was thinking, “This is not okay, this is animal abuse, I don’t know what to do”, and then she has spoken with a few people and they all advised her to not do anything because they come after you. There is a big fear and she was not brave enough.
‘And then more riders were suspended last year, from Denmark etcetera, and then she got more courage so this is not a political thing. She has nothing to do with medals. Also, your life doesn’t depend on medals and a horse cannot speak. Somebody has to stand up for the horses.
‘The most important thing is: this is not an incident. My client has seen this more times.’
On Dujardin’s claim that it was an isolated incident, Wensing replied: ‘My client is saying that this is the standard way of training horses at Dujardin’s place.
‘She explained also, before the training, you must be aware of the fact, that she didn’t film it before she started whipping. She was already whipping the horse.
‘And she explained, “I want to lift up the legs and canter”, so it was nothing to do with dressage, it was a canter exercise, and lifting up by beating the horse.
‘If you look to the video, it also looks like this is the normal way for Dujardin. But it is not normal.’
Wensing said his client had received plenty of comments from ‘crazy’ fans of Dujardin, defending the actions of their ‘superstar’.
He continued: ‘My client hired me a few weeks ago and she was still doubting every day because she is really afraid of victim blaming.
‘If you look to all the thousands of comments, you already see that this is happening because this affects a superstar and a superstar has so, so many fans and they stand up for her.
‘Some [fans] are crazy but that’s how it works in dressage, so my client had so much fear that this weekend, last weekend, she decided to admit the complaint to the FEI.’
In its statement, the FEI revealed that Dujardin had engaged ‘in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare’ during the training session at a private stable.
‘The FEI has officially announced the provisional suspension of British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin (FEI ID: 10028440) for a period of six months, effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024,’ the statement from the FEI read.
‘This decision renders her ineligible to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games or any other events under the jurisdiction of the FEI.
‘During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation (NF). This also includes any FEI or NF-related activities. In addition, the British Equestrian Federation has mirrored this provisional suspension, which also makes Ms. Dujardin ineligible to compete in any national events during this period.
TEAM GB’S MOST SUCCESSFUL OLYMPIANS
NINE OLYMPIC MEDALS
Jason Kenny (cycling) – 7 gold medals, 2 silver
EIGHT OLYMPIC MEDALS
Bradley Wiggins (cycling) – 5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
SEVEN OLYMPIC MEDALS
Chris Hoy (cycling) – 6 gold, 1 silver
SIX OLYMPIC MEDALS
Laura Kenny (cycling) – 5 gold, 1 silver
Steve Redgrave (rowing) – 5 gold, 1 bronze
Charlotte Dujardin (equestrian) – 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
Max Whitlock (gymnastics) – 3 gold, 3 silver
Duncan Scott (swimming) – 1 gold, 5 silver
‘On 22 July 2024, the FEI received a video depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant. According to the information received, the footage was allegedly taken several years ago during a training session conducted by Ms. Dujardin at a private stable.
‘Upon receiving the video, the FEI promptly initiated an investigation. As part of this investigation, Ms. Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage were informed of the allegations. Ms Dujardin was given a deadline of 17:00 Swiss time on 23 July to respond to the allegations. Subsequently, Ms. Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.
‘On 23 July 2024, Charlotte Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation.
‘The FEI condemns any conduct contrary to the welfare of horses and has robust rules in place to address such behaviour. Our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare and sportsmanship remains unwavering.
‘The FEI acknowledges the cooperation of Charlotte Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage with the ongoing investigation and intends to proceed as swiftly as possible.’
Ingmar De Vos, president of the FEI, said: ‘We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised.
‘Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognise and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.’
Dujardin is one of the most decorated dressage riders of her era, winning two gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012.
She enjoyed further success on Valegro in Rio four years later, winning gold in the individual dressage and silver in the team event.
Dujardin was going for gold in Paris after winning two bronze medals at Tokyo 2020.
The three-time Olympic champion was due to compete in both the individual dressage and team event in Paris alongside Carl Hester and world champion Lottie Fry.
If she won a medal in Paris, Dujardin would have become the most-decorated British female Olympian in history, surpassing cycling legend Laura Kenny.
In an interview this month, Dujardin said it felt ‘surreal’ to be on the cusp of becoming Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian.
‘It will be one of the most incredible moments if that does happen,’ she told BBC Sport. ‘But I don’t put any pressure on myself to make that happen.
‘It’s a brilliant team with Carl and Lottie. I’ll be in it to win it. For sure I’m not going down without a fight. That’s the sort of person I am. I’m very, very competitive.’
The dressage competition at Paris 2024 begins on July 30 and will be held at the iconic Chateau de Versailles.
Becky Moody is set to replace Dujardin for Team GB’s team event with her horse Jagerbomb.