Charlotte Dujardin, a six-time Olympic medalist and one of Britain’s most decorated equestrians, has been suspended from the Paris 2024 Olympics following the emergence of a video showing her repeatedly whipping a horse during a training session. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has launched an investigation and provisionally suspended Dujardin for six months.The video, which is approximately four years old, reportedly shows Dujardin striking a horse’s legs more than 24 times in one minute. The incident has been described by some sources as treating the horse ‘like an elephant in the circus’. Dujardin has admitted to being the person in the video, calling it an ‘error of judgment’ and expressing deep remorse for her actions.The consequences for Dujardin have been swift and severe. She has withdrawn from all competitions, including the Paris Olympics, pending the outcome of the FEI investigation. Additionally, she has been stripped of National Lottery funding and is no longer a candidate for a Damehood. The horse welfare charity Brooke has also dropped her as an ambassador, stating that her behavior is ‘incompatible with representing Brooke’.This incident has sparked broader discussions about animal welfare in equestrian sports. The animal rights organization PETA has called for equestrian events to be removed from the Olympics altogether. The FEI president, Ingmar De Vos, stated, ‘We are deeply disappointed by this case, especially as we approach the Olympics. However, it is our responsibility and fundamental to address any case of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised’.The suspension of Dujardin, who was considered a key member of the British dressage team, is expected to significantly impact Team GB’s medal prospects in the upcoming Olympics. As the investigation continues, the equestrian community and sports world at large await further developments in this controversial case.
Key points
- Charlotte Dujardin, a six-time Olympic medalist, has been suspended from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a video showing her whipping a horse repeatedly.
- The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has launched an investigation and provisionally suspended Dujardin for six months.
- Dujardin has been stripped of National Lottery funding, is no longer a candidate for a Damehood, and has been dropped as an ambassador by a horse welfare charity.
- The incident has sparked calls for changes in equestrian sports, with PETA demanding the removal of equestrian events from the Olympics.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of times Dujardin struck the horse, with some sources stating 24 times and others reporting 25 times.
