Olympic Equestrian Champion Emphasizes Putting Horses First

Carl Hester, a prominent dressage competitor, kicked off his pursuit of a fourth consecutive Olympic medal amidst the lingering controversy surrounding his former teammate, Charlotte Dujardin. Dujardin, a fellow dressage rider, was suspended by the FEI, equestrian’s governing body, just days before the Paris Games began. This suspension came after a video from 2020 surfaced, showing Dujardin repeatedly whipping the legs of a horse during a training session with a student. The International Dressage Riders Club board, of which Hester is a member, swiftly condemned Dujardin’s actions following the release of the video.

Despite the cloud of controversy surrounding Dujardin, Hester, who is openly gay, took to the media after his preliminary ride on Tuesday to address the situation. He expressed his concern for his teammate and mentee, acknowledging the difficulties she was facing and the repercussions of her actions. Hester emphasized that Dujardin had accepted responsibility for her actions and was surrounded by a support system to help her navigate through the situation.

In an interview with the BBC, Hester described the video as a „huge shock“ and clarified that the incident did not take place on his property. He highlighted the personal toll the situation had taken on Dujardin, noting her status as a mother and the heavy consequences she had faced as a result of the video coming to light.

As a consequence of the suspension, Dujardin was forced to miss out on the Paris Games, where she could have potentially added to her impressive tally of Olympic medals. The FEI’s ongoing investigation into the matter led to Dujardin accepting a provisional suspension, while also losing sponsorships and funding from U.K. Sport. In a statement, Dujardin expressed deep shame over her actions in the video, stating that they were out of character and did not reflect her usual approach to training horses or coaching pupils.

Hester, while acknowledging the severity of the situation, also emphasized the need for forgiveness and understanding. He highlighted Dujardin’s long-standing career and reputation in the equestrian world, expressing his belief that the incident captured in the video was not reflective of her overall character. Hester stressed the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the horses in all aspects of training and competition.

With Dujardin sidelined, Hester now focuses on his own performance at the Olympics, aiming for his fourth medal. Following his preliminary ride, Hester secured a score of 77.345, placing him third in his group and just shy of automatic qualification for the individual final. As the preliminary rounds continue, Hester awaits confirmation on whether his score will be sufficient to secure a spot in both the individual and team finals.

In conclusion, Carl Hester’s journey at the Paris Olympics is marked by both personal achievement and the shadow of controversy surrounding his former teammate. As he continues to compete at the highest level of dressage, Hester remains a figure of resilience and determination in the face of challenges within the equestrian community.