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Charlotte Dujardin, one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians, has withdrawn from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after a shocking video emerged of her repeatedly kicking a horse.
Dujardin has won six Olympic medals in dressage, an equestrian event in which a horse and rider perform a series of artistic movements. She shares the lead with retired cyclist Laura Kenny for the most Olympic medals won by a female athlete in the United Kingdom.
Dujardin could have overtaken Kenny at this year’s Olympics, but instead she has been given a provisional suspension until the investigation into her alleged abuse is completed.
Charlotte Dujardin poses with her horse Pete (Imhotep) during a Team GB Paris 2024 Olympic Games equestrian team announcement at Oakelbrook Mill on July 2, 2024 in Newent, England. Dujardin has withdrawn from the Olympic Games after video emerged of her repeatedly whipping a horse during a training session.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images
The international governing body for equestrian sport, known as the FEI, suspended Dujardin a day after it received a video showing her “contrary to equine welfare principles,” the federation wrote in a press release. The video was submitted by a lawyer representing an “undisclosed complainant.”
An immediate investigation was launched and the FEI contacted Dujardin, who confirmed that she was the person in the video and “acknowledged that her behaviour was inappropriate.”
The footage is believed to have been taken several years ago when Dujardin was coaching a rider at a private stable. The rider’s identity has not been released.
The disturbing video, viewed by Global News, shows Dujardin in an indoor riding arena, appearing to train a rider on a horse. Dujardin wields a long whip and strikes the horse’s legs and buttocks dozens of times over the course of a minute as the horse trots around the arena. At times, Dujardin struck the horse so hard that loud bangs echoed through the building.
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Dujardin called her behavior in the video an “error of judgment” in a statement posted on Instagram.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my students, but there is no excuse. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example at the time,” she wrote. “I truly regret my actions and am devastated that I let everyone down.”
Dujardin claims the video in question was recorded four years ago, but the lawyer who handed the alarming footage to the FEI says it was taken in 2022.
According to several media, Stephan Wensing is the lawyer of the whistleblower who made the images.
Wishing told Sky News that his client was forced to document the incident because she had seen Dujardin commit similar abuse before. His client was afraid to report Dujardin because of her prominent position in the equestrian world, but she wanted to take action before the 2024 Olympics began.
In an interview with The TelegraphWensing explained some context behind the video: “Charlotte Dujardin was standing in the middle of the arena. She said to the student, ‘Your horse needs to lift its legs more in the gallop.’ She took the long whip and she hit the horse more than 24 times in one minute and very hard, very hard, very tough.”
The FEI states that Dujardin is cooperating with authorities and that she has requested a provisional suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. She has also voluntarily withdrawn from the Paris Olympics.
Under the suspension, Dujardin will be prohibited from competing in any FEI-related competitions and events. Dujardin has also been suspended by the British Equestrian Federation, making her ineligible to compete in national competitions.
“We are deeply disappointed by this case, especially as we approach the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any cases of abuse as the welfare of horses must not be compromised,” said FEI President Ingmar De Vos.
“Charlotte has shown genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognize and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as protectors of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”
The British Olympic team announced on Wednesday that Becky Moody will replace Dujardin on the dressage team. Moody will ride her horse Jagerbomb.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Kathryn Mannie
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