Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from all competition for a year following a video showing her repeatedly whipping a horse. The footage, from four years ago, emerged on the eve of the Paris 2024 Games, leading to her withdrawal from the Olympics. Dujardin described her actions in the video as “an error of judgment” and not reflective of her usual training methods.
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports provisionally suspended Dujardin as they investigated the incident, which sparked widespread condemnation. The federation ultimately suspended her for a year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000. Dujardin has accepted the suspension and will not appeal.
The 39-year-old, who has won six Olympic medals including individual gold in 2012 and 2016, has faced consequences beyond the suspension. She has been dropped by sponsors, charities, and stripped of public funding by UK Sport. Dujardin could have become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris, surpassing cyclist Dame Laura Kenny.
Her suspension means she is unable to compete in any national or international events until July next year. The British Equestrian and British Dressage organizations have also reciprocated the suspension. Despite the setback, Dujardin remains a highly successful and decorated athlete in the sport of dressage.
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