PARIS — Team GB’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, Charlotte Dujardin, has been provisionally suspended for six months over the emergence of a video showing an “error of judgement” that has seen her placed under investigation by competition organisers.
Dujardin pulled out of the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, ending her chance to go ahead of Laura Kenny and become the sole British female athlete to win seven medals — she is tied with retired cyclist Laura Kenny on six. The equestrian has three gold medals split between London 2012 and Rio 2016.
However, Dujardin said she is now under investigation from the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) after a video leaked that allegedly shows her mistreating a horse before the Tokyo Olympics.
ESPN has not yet obtained the video.
The FEI said they had received the video from a lawyer on Monday but the complainant was undisclosed. It confirmed on Tuesday that the video shows Dujardin “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare during a training session conducted at Ms Durjardin’s private stable.”
“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,” Dujardin said in a statement.
“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 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.”
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.”
Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, of Equine Law Firms, said he had sent the video, which he said shows Dujardin repeatedly whipping a horse on the legs during a lesson.
“There is a fear culture in dressage and that’s why my client wishes to remain anonymous,” Wensing told SportsBeat.
“I’m pleased that the FEI are taking this seriously because what happened was shocking, if you saw the video you would have have the same reaction, it was lunacy. The FEI have all the evidence and the video, it shouldn’t be a long investigation.
“There was no way she [Dujardin] could compete at the Olympics, withdrawing from the Games was the only decision she could have made once we lodged our complaint. I think she made this decision before it was made for her. You cannot win medals like this.”
Dujardin won her first Olympic medals at London 2012, taking a pair of gold in the team and individual dressage. She added further gold in the individual competition at Rio 2016 with a silver in the team dressage, before earning a pair of bronze medals in those competitions at Tokyo 2020.
“The FEI announced initially that Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) has been officially suspended for a period of six months,” the FEI said in a statement. “The FEI has officially announced the provisional suspension of British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024.” The sentence is dependant on the outcome of the investigation.
