THREE-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST BANNED AFTER HORSE-WHIPPING SCANDAL
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Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic dressage gold winner, was banned for a year on Thursday after she withdrew from the Paris Games due to a horse-whipping dispute.
Days before the Olympics began in the French city, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, the regulatory organization, temporarily suspended the British rider.
The FEI said it had received a video “depicting Ms Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare”, which showed her repeatedly striking a horse with a long whip.
Dujardin, who has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs, said she had made an “error of judgement” and expressed deep remorse.
With the suspension retroactive to July 2024, she will now be excluded from all competition until July of following year.
“The FEI has suspended British dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000 ($11,300), effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her,” the governing body said in a statement.
“Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since 23 July, 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 has won six Olympic medals, including individual gold in 2012 and 2016, making her the joint most decorated British woman Olympian.
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