Shamed Olympic champion discovers fate after horse whipping scandal
British triple Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has been banned for one year after a video of her whipping a horses legs saw her pull out of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The London-born 39-year-old was also handed a 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,800) fine by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Dujardin pulled out of the games over the leaked video and has now been handed a ban and a fine Both British Equestrian and British Dressage have taken on the same punishment handed down by the FEI. Dujardin made headline news shortly before the Paris games when a video from four years prior showed her whipping a student’s horse on the legs. The dressage specialist has three Olympic gold medals to her name – two from London 2012 and another from Rio 2016. Dujardin recorded a further silver in Rio, and two bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 made her Britain’s most successful female Olympian. However, things all came crashing down ahead of her projected fourth games in Paris. Two days ahead of the summer tournament, on July 22, the FEI were sent a video of Dujardin whipping a horse. The competitor then withdrew from the games, with the FEI commenting: “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. “Subsequently, Ms Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate. Dujardin achieved huge success before the video derailed her careerDarren Fletcher - The Sun “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 Enfield-born competitor then released a statement of her own, calling the incident an ‘error of judgement’. “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session,” she said. “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.”
British triple Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has been banned for one year after a video of her whipping a horses legs saw her pull out of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The London-born 39-year-old was also handed a 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,800) fine by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).
Both British Equestrian and British Dressage have taken on the same punishment handed down by the FEI.
Dujardin made headline news shortly before the Paris games when a video from four years prior showed her whipping a student’s horse on the legs.
The dressage specialist has three Olympic gold medals to her name – two from London 2012 and another from Rio 2016.
Dujardin recorded a further silver in Rio, and two bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 made her Britain’s most successful female Olympian.
However, things all came crashing down ahead of her projected fourth games in Paris.
Two days ahead of the summer tournament, on July 22, the FEI were sent a video of Dujardin whipping a horse.
The competitor then withdrew from the games, with the FEI commenting: “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.
“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 Enfield-born competitor then released a statement of her own, calling the incident an ‘error of judgement’.
“A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session,” she said.
“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.”
