Charlotte Dujardin out of Olympics as video emerges of ‘error of judgement’
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Charlotte Dujardin, a prominent member of Team GB expected to compete in the Olympics, has been disqualified from participating in the Paris Games. This decision came after a video surfaced showing her reportedly abusing a horse during a practice session at a private stable.
Dujardin, who has won the Olympic gold medal three times, recently decided not to participate in any upcoming competitions. This decision was made after a video surfaced showing the dressage rider making a mistake during a coaching session that took place four years ago. In the video, she is accused of hitting the legs of a student's horse with a whip while on the ground.
The FEI, which oversees horse sports worldwide, received a video showing Dujardin behaving in a way that goes against the rules of animal welfare. As a result, they have temporarily banned the rider for six months starting right away.
The FEI stated that Dujardin was cooperative during their investigation, confessing that she was the person in the video and recognizing her behavior was not acceptable. As a result, she decided to withdraw from the Olympics.
Dujardin wanted to be the most awarded female Olympian in Britain at the upcoming Olympics in Paris. She expressed regret and said that the situation was unusual for her and not representative of how she cares for her horses or teaches her students.
The 39-year-old decided to stop participating in all competitions while the International FEI looked into the video evidence. The organization has now chosen to temporarily ban Dujardin for six months as they continue their inquiry.
The video that has recently reappeared right before the Olympics supposedly depicts Dujardin mistreating a horse at a private stable. A Dutch lawyer representing a secret complainant sent the video to the FEI on Monday.
According to an article on the Dutch website Horses.nl, attorney Stephan Wensing was mentioned as the lawyer for this case. The report detailed that the video depicted Dujardin striking a student's horse with a whip.
Wensing expressed disapproval of animal cruelty in dressage sport. He stated that if the well-being of horses is at risk in high-level competition, then that competition should not exist.
Dujardin, a rider from Britain who participates in equestrian events, along with British Equestrian and British Dressage, were made aware of the accusations and the investigation being conducted by the FEI. They were required to provide a response by 4pm UK time on Tuesday afternoon.
Dujardin made an announcement declaring her choice to pull out of the Olympics right before the time limit.
"We are extremely upset about this situation, particularly with the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games," stated Ingmar De Vos, the president of the FEI. "It is vital that we take action and deal with any cases of abuse to ensure the well-being of the horses is not put at risk."
Charlotte has shown true regret for what she did, and we acknowledge and value her decision to take accountability. Even though the timing was not ideal, we think this step confirms the FEI's dedication to the well-being of our horse companions and the honesty of our sport.
In a statement released by Dujardin earlier today, he admitted to making a mistake during a coaching session that was captured on video four years ago.
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is looking into the situation, so I have chosen to pull out of all competitions, including the Paris Olympics, until the investigation is complete.
The incident that occurred was very unusual for me and doesn't show how I usually teach my horses or students. I take full responsibility and am very embarrassed. I should have shown better behavior in that situation.
I deeply regret what I did and am very upset that I disappointed so many people, including Team GB, supporters, and sponsors.
"I will work closely with the FEl, British Equestrian Federation, and British Dressage as they conduct their inquiries. I will refrain from making any additional statements until the investigation is finished."
The Olympics will kick off with the opening ceremony this Friday, followed by the dressage competition at Paris 2024 starting on July 30th at the beautiful Chateau de Versailles.
Any type of medal could have put Dujardin in first place ahead of cyclist Laura Kenny as the most successful female Olympian from Britain. Currently, they both have six medals each.
Dujardin achieved victory in both team and individual events at the London 2012 Olympics, and later secured individual gold and team silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Throughout both competitions, Dujardin rode her horse Valegro.
Dujardin rode a different horse named Gio at the postponed Tokyo Games, but this summer in Paris she was planning to ride Imhotep instead.
Gio, a small horse purchased by Dujardin when he was five years old after the Rio Olympics, was later sold just a few months after the Tokyo Games.
One major issue during the postponed Tokyo Games in 2021 involved a coach from Germany in the modern pentathlon event who was disqualified from the Olympics for hitting a horse.
The event caused a significant change in a traditional sport, leading to the removal of the horseback riding component before the Paris Games.
In an interview before the Olympics, Dujardin was confident about her chances of winning in Paris. She was set to participate in the individual dressage and team events with Carl Hester and Lottie Fry.
Dujardin shared her thoughts on the possibility of making history at the British Olympics. She expressed that it would be an amazing moment if it were to happen but emphasized that she does not feel pressured to achieve such a feat.
