Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin hit with six-month ban after video shows 'error of judgement'
Charlotte Dujardin is out of the Olympics and has received a six-month ban over a video from four years ago showing her making “an error of judgement” during a coaching session.
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) said it had received a video “depicting Ms Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare”.
The video shows Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student’s horse with a whip from the ground, according to the Dutch website horses.nl.
“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,” she said in a statement.
Dujardin added: “I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment."
The allegations are understood to have been raised with both the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the British Equestrian Federation by a Dutch lawyer.
He acted on behalf of a client who did not wish for the alleged mistreatment shown in the video to go unpunished.
The lawyer, Stephan Wensing, told the website: “It is unacceptable that dressage sport should be accompanied by animal abuse. If top level sport can only be performed in such a way that the welfare of the horse is compromised, then top-level sport should be abolished.
“It is extremely sad that one of the most successful riders in the world has to pay the price. ”
The three-time Olympic champion has withdrawn from all competition whilst the FEI continue to investigate.
If she competed in Paris 2024, the 39-year-old could have become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.
A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of Laura Kenny, with whom she is currently tied on six medals.
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Dujardin's statement continued: “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 was due to compete in both the individual dressage and the team event alongside Carl Hester and world champion Lottie Fry.
She is expected to be replaced in the team by alternate Becky Moody and her horse Jagerbomb.
Dujardin is currently based in Gloucestershire. She and her previous partner Valegro, known as ‘the dancing horse’, trained in Newent and became household names after winning double gold at London 2012.
They went on to win gold and silver in 2016, and two bronze medals in 2020 in Tokyo - where she competed with new horse Gio.
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