Charlotte Dujardin: Double Olympic champion receives one-year suspension after horse-whipping video
ByOli Gent
Published 05/12/2024 at 09:54 GMT
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Three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has been given a one-year suspension after an old video emerged of her whipping a horse repeatedly. Dujardin has been under investigation since late July when the footage surfaced, forcing her to miss the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Brit said her actions were "completely out of character" and "do not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils".
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has received a one-year suspension after a video surfaced of her whipping a horse.
Dujardin, who won two dressage golds on Valegro at London 2012 and one in Rio 2016, withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games when the video emerged in late July.
She has since been under investigation, but addressed the footage in a statement, saying her actions were "completely out of character" and "do not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils".
Dujardin had already been serving a provisional ban while the investigation into her conduct continued, and the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) released a statement on Thursday to confirm her suspension until July 2024.
"The FEI has suspended British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000, effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her," the statement read.
"Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since 23 July 2024 for engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. The time served during her provisional suspension will be credited towards the one-year suspension.
"During her suspension, Dujardin is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a National Federation.
"British Equestrian and British Dressage have reciprocated the suspension, resulting in Dujardin's ineligibility to compete in any national competition or training events during this period."
FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibanez added: "It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games.
"Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.
"These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences.
"We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners."
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