Charlotte Dujardin suspended from all competition for one year following horse whipping controversy
Charlotte Dujardin will be sidelined from all competition until July next year, with the suspension backdated to July 23 2024; double Olympic champion suspended from all competition and fined £8,881 following horse whipping controversy
Thursday 5 December 2024 13:00, UK
Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from all competition for one year following a horse whipping controversy that saw her withdraw from the Paris Olympics.
Dujardin was provisionally suspended by equestrian's governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), on July 23 as it launched an investigation into a video from four years earlier showing her making what she described as "an error of judgement" during a coaching session.
The video showed Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student's horse with a whip from the ground. Her behaviour sparked widespread condemnation.
The complaint was made to the FEI by 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 July 23 2024.
In a statement, the FEI said: "The FEI has suspended British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (£8,881), effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her.
"Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since July 23 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 respects verdict and reveals pregnancy
Dujardin, who has won six Olympic medals, including individual gold in 2012 and 2016, was ditched by sponsors and dropped as an ambassador by global horse welfare charity Brooke and the London International Horse Show.
Dujardin said in a statement: "I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today. As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.
"This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how I am - thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you'll ever know.
"What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February. This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner Dean and I have been excited about for a long time.
"At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member."
Eligible to receive funding
UK Sport, meanwhile, suspended Dujardin's eligibility to receive public funding in the summer pending the outcome of the FEI investigation.
The elite sports funding body issued an update via a spokesperson on Thursday which read: "We expect all staff and athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sport to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour, ethics and integrity.
"In line with the UK Sport eligibility policy, Charlotte Dujardin is ineligible to receive public funding and publicly-funded benefits for the same time period as the FEI sanction.
"Her eligibility to receive public funding beyond the sanction imposed by the FEI will be reviewed under our eligibility policy."
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 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.
