5 months ago
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A DISTURBING video of Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse which led to her Olympic exile has been released.
The six-time Olympic medallist sensationally pulled out of Paris 2024 in disgrace this week after being suspended.
Marc Aspland - The Times
GM Britain
GM Britain
Good Morning BritainBritain’s greatest horsewoman said she was “deeply ashamed” by her “error of judgement” in a coaching session “from four years ago”.
The footage showed Dujardin hitting the horse with a long whip during a lesson with a 19-year-old female student at her private stable – with the whistleblower being a sponsor of the girl who was riding the horse in the video.
The FEI, the sport’s governing body, launched a probe into the incident and handed Dujardin a provisional six-month ban.
She has also been stripped of her funding and her chances of getting a Damehood have gone up in smoke following the scandal.
And she has been axed as an ambassador by horse welfare charity Brooke.
A Dutch lawyer claimed that the anonymous whistleblower “couldn’t stand to watch her win a medal at Paris 2024”.
Stephan Wensing, who shared the video, had previously compared the treatment to that of “an elephant in a circus” and claimed it happened in 2022.
He told GMB: “My client used to be a sponsor, and she was in the UK, and she sponsored a lesson for Charlotte to a student. It was a young girl of 19 years old riding her horse, and she got a lesson from Charlotte Dujardin in the UK.
“Charlotte Dujardin was in the middle of the arena. She said to the student, ‘your horse must lift up the legs more in the canter’.
“She took the long whip and she was beating the horse more than 24 times in one minute and really hard, really harsh, really tough.
“This is not just one incident. My client has visited Charlotte Dujardin’s stable more times and she has seen it happen more times.”
The emergence of the video, that Dujardin insists was four years ago, ended hopes of her competing at Paris 2024.
In the upsetting clip, she repeatedly uses a long whip to hit a horse’s legs during training.
Dujardin had already issued an apology and claimed it was “completely out of character” and an “error of judgement.”
She had not travelled to France prior withdrawing three days before the Opening Ceremony along the Seine.
Her statement read: “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.
“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.”
PA
PA
https://www.instagram.com/charlotte_dujardincbe/This scandal has ruined her chances of adding to her six Olympic medals, including three golds.
ITV Racing’s Alice Fox-Pitt, wife of three-time Team GB Olympic medalist William Fox-Pitt, said: “She will be hung, drawn and quartered.
“This will be her defining legacy. Her professional career is in tatters.”
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “This video is difficult to watch and we don’t condone any kind of training that causes distress to animals, including the use of a whip in any way which inflicts pain and distress.
“Animals – including those used in sport – must always be treated with kindness and respect, and their welfare should be the highest priority.
“They should never be exposed to anything which could cause them pain, suffering and distress.
“We welcome that this has already been referred to a relevant authority and that the FEI is investigating. We are ready to provide any support to their work, if required.”
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have called for the removal of all events involving animals from the Olympics following the distressing scenes.
PETA US Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said: “The message to the International Olympic Committee should be clear by now: remove equestrian events from the Olympic Games.
“Yet again, an Olympic rider has been caught on video abusing a horse to force the animal to behave in an entirely unnatural way, simply for her own glory. Horses don’t volunteer – they can only submit to violence and coercion.
“It’s time for the Olympics to move into the modern era.”
Dujardin needed just one more Olympic medal to move past another great, Laura Kenny.
The pair have both won six medals each with Dujardin winning two gold medals in her first Olympics at London 2012 on horse Valegro.
But Kenny has won more golds — five to Dujardin’s three.
She followed up that success by defending her Individual dressage title at Rio 2016 while also picking up silver in the team event.
Dujardin then switched horses and rode Gio to bronze in both the individual and team events in Tokyo.
After she won gold in Rio her then-fiancé Dean Golding wore a shirt bearing the proposal “Can we get married now?”
Travelling reserve Becky Moody will take Dujardin’s place on horse Jägerbomb along with teammates Carl Hester and Charlotte Fry.
The dressage team and individual competitions were due to start on Tuesday July 30.
In November 2023, billionaire Andreas Helgstrand was banned from riding by the Danish national dressage team until at least January 2025.
This follows claims of mistreatment of horses, which were exposed by an undercover TV documentary crew.
Last this month Denmark has hastily replaced a member of its dressage squad – Carina Cassøe Kruth – after an old video showing alleged horse abuse.
FEI statement in full on Charlotte Dujardin
THE FEI has officially announced the provisional suspension of British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin (FEI ID: 10028440) for a period of six months, effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024.
This decision renders her ineligible to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games or any other events under the jurisdiction of the FEI.
During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation (NF). This also includes any FEI or NF-related activities.
In addition, the British Equestrian Federation has mirrored this provisional suspension, which also makes Ms. Dujardin ineligible to compete in any national events during this period.
On 22 July 2024, the FEI received a video depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. 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. Ms Dujardin was given a deadline of 17:00 Swiss time on 23 July to respond to 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 2024, Charlotte Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation.
The FEI condemns any conduct contrary to the welfare of horses and has robust rules in place to address such behaviour. Our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare and sportsmanship remains unwavering.
The FEI acknowledges the cooperation of Charlotte Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage with the ongoing investigation and intends to proceed as swiftly as possible.
“We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognise and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”
To maintain the integrity of the investigation, the FEI will refrain from making further comments on this matter until the process is concluded.
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