The Olympic Games should be an equestrian free event amid the horse abuse scandal involving Charlotte Dujardin, according to animal rights group PETA.
Team GB superstar Dujardin has been provisionally suspended by equestrian’s governing body with immediate effect after a video from four years ago emerged showing her making ‘an error of judgement’.
The fallout from the controversy will have far reaching and immediate consequences for Team GB in Paris, as well their three-time gold medalist, but in the long-term animal rights group PETA are adamant that equestrian events are outdated and should have no place in the Games.
‘The message to the International Olympic Committee should be clear by now: remove equestrian events from the Olympic Games,’ a statement read.
‘Yet again, an Olympic rider has been caught on video abusing a horse to force the animal to behave in an entirely unnatural way, simply for her own glory.
‘Horses don’t volunteer – they can only submit to violence and coercion. It’s time for the Olympics to move into the modern era. PETA’s motto reads, in part, that ‘animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way’.’
Dujardin, meanwhile, had decided to pull out of all competition while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigates the incident.
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
The FEI said it had received a video ‘depicting Ms Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare’.
The suspension bars Dujardin from any competitions or events under the FEI’s jurisdiction and those run by by a national federation.
The FEI added: ‘On 22 July, 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.
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.
‘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.
‘Subsequently, Ms Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.
‘On 23 July, Charlotte Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.’
The video shows Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student’s horse with a whip from the ground, according to the Dutch website horses.nl.
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