Charlotte Dujardin out of Olympics after video. Gold medalist is suspended

PARIS – One of the most decorated members of the Great Britain Olympic delegation has withdrawn from the 2024 Paris Olympics following an equine-abuse investigation. 

Equestrian athlete Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in dressage, announced the news Tuesday after a video she said was from four years ago surfaced and showed her acting “completely out of character.” The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigation resulted in a six-month suspension, the body announced. 

The FEI said it received a video Tuesday “depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.” A lawyer representing the unidentified 19-year old complainant sent the video to the FEI and told The Guardian that the incident took place several years ago during a training session at a private facility.

“Charlotte Dujardin was in the middle of the arena,” the attorney, Stephan Wensing, told the UK-based publication. “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. It was like an elephant in the circus."

Wensing said he received the go-ahead to file the complaint after his client saw suspensions of other dressage trainers around the world over abuse allegations. One of the more prominent cases involved American Cesar Parra, who was born in Colombia and competed in the 2004 Games. Parra was provisionally suspended in February after social media videos went viral that showed abusive training methods including whipping horses.

“At that time, my client was thinking this must be normal," Wensing said. "She is an Olympic winner. Who am I to doubt? My client asked around and was warned against speaking out in the UK. But last year my client saw others suspended in the UK and elsewhere. And this weekend, she eventually made a decision to let me admit the complaint to the FEI and that happened yesterday. The FEI took this immediately very seriously.”

Dujardin technically withdrew before the FEI could impose its penalty. 

In her statement, Dujardin said the incident “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. 

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“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.” 

Dujardin won individual and team dressage gold medals at the 2012 London Games and repeated her individual title four years later in Rio. She took bronze in both the individual and team events at Tokyo three years ago. 

Dujardin cooperated with the FEI’s investigation, the FEI said. She also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation.

“We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said in the statement. “However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised.”

Contributing: Dan Wolken