The double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from all competition for one year after a video emerged on the eve of the Paris 2024 Games of her whipping a horse repeatedly.
Dujardin was forced to withdraw from the Olympics after the footage from four years ago emerged. Referring to a video of a coaching session, she said what happened was “completely out of character” and “does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils”.
Dujardin was provisionally suspended by equestrianism’s governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian (FEI) Sports, on 23 July as it launched an investigation into the video showing her making what she described as “an error of judgment” during a coaching session.
The video showed Dujardin hitting a student’s horse repeatedly with a whip from the ground. Her behaviour sparked widespread condemnation.
The complaint was made to the FEI by the Dutch equine lawyer Stephan Wensing on behalf of an unnamed client.
Dujardin is now sidelined from all competition until July next year, with the suspension backdated to 23 July of this year. The PA Media news agency understands that she will not appeal.
In a statement, the FEI said: “The FEI has suspended British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000 (£8881), effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her.
“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.”
Dujardin, who has won six Olympic medals including individual gold in 2012 and 2016, was ditched by sponsors and dropped as an ambassador by the global horse welfare charity Brooke and the London International Horse Show.
UK Sport, meanwhile, suspended Dujardin’s eligibility to receive public funding.
The 39-year-old could have become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris. A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of the cyclist Dame Laura Kenny, with whom she is currently tied.
Dujardin rose to prominence with individual and team golds at London 2012 while riding Valegro – to a soundtrack that included Land of Hope and Glory. The duo retained the former title and won silver in the latter at Rio 2016.
