Three-time Olympic gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin of Britain has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Paris Games after a video surfaced showing her engaging in conduct that goes against the principles of horse welfare. The sport’s governing body, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), has taken swift action in response to the video, launching an investigation and provisionally suspending Dujardin from all events under their jurisdiction.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Dujardin acknowledged the existence of the video from four years ago, describing it as a moment of error in judgment during a coaching session. While she did not specify the content of the video, Dujardin expressed deep regret and apologized for her actions, admitting that they were out of character and did not reflect her usual training methods or coaching practices.
The FEI has condemned any behavior that compromises the welfare of horses and has emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare and sportsmanship. The governing body has strict rules in place to address such conduct and has taken decisive action to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The video in question was reportedly filmed during a training session at a private stable and was brought to the attention of the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant. Dujardin has confirmed her presence in the video and has voluntarily requested her own provisional suspension while the investigation is ongoing.
As a result of the controversy, the British Equestrian Federation has also ruled Dujardin ineligible for national events, further underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Dujardin has expressed her deep remorse for letting down her team, fans, and sponsors, acknowledging that she should have set a better example in that moment.
Charlotte Dujardin, who is 39 years old, is a highly decorated equestrian athlete with an impressive track record in the sport. She has won three Olympic gold medals, including team and individual dressage titles at the 2012 London Games and an individual gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Dujardin also claimed bronze in both team and individual events at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and a silver in the team event in Rio, making her one of the most successful female British Olympians with a total of six medals.
While this incident has cast a shadow over Dujardin’s illustrious career, it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the highest standards of horse welfare and ethical conduct in equestrian sports. The FEI’s commitment to investigating and addressing any violations of these principles demonstrates their dedication to ensuring the well-being of horses and maintaining the integrity of the sport.
